Any tips on singing and playing

[60's Bluesman]

Might sound like a dumb question but i have a real problem singing and playing at the same time. I must say im proud of myself to have came as far as i have as a bass player in the last year or so but I just cant seem to get this down. I can be just going right along doing my thing then as soon as i start to sing I lose all sence of tempo and beat and my hands go dumb then im just lost, and it doesnt have to be singing just talking and playing throws me way off. I would say I shouldnt sing at all but as I and my bandmates have found my singing voice is very similar to that of Ringo Starr and there are songs of his we would like to perform but that is impossible at this time.

So is there any little tips anyone has for me on this subject, ive been trying to play at home while singing and it isnt going that well.

[Marty Forrer]

Do a search. There have been many threads on this very subject, one very recently.

[worshiprocker]

Originally Posted by 60's Bluesman

Might sound like a dumb question but i have a real problem singing and playing at the same time. I must say im proud of myself to have came as far as i have as a bass player in the last year or so but I just cant seem to get this down. I can be just going right along doing my thing then as soon as i start to sing I lose all sence of tempo and beat and my hands go dumb then im just lost, and it doesnt have to be singing just talking and playing throws me way off. I would say I shouldnt sing at all but as I and my bandmates have found my singing voice is very similar to that of Ringo Starr and there are songs of his we would like to perform but that is impossible at this time.

So is there any little tips anyone has for me on this subject, ive been trying to play at home while singing and it isnt going that well.

Practice practice practice..... the easiest way is to practice each independently. The idea is you learn your vocal melodies and lyrics well enough that you don't have to think much. and muscle memory on the bass playing. You have to get to a place where you are VERY comfortable doing either.

For the longest time I could only sing and play with a pick (I'm originally a guitarist) so I would practice really slow. I would figure out where the rhythm of my playing screwed up my singing... and just practice it, eventually getting up to speed. Take the time to practice slower.... now I can just go in and play most songs even with moderately difficult bass lines/vocal melodies. try not to get frustrated, you can do it

[ksandvik]

The better you know the song, both the bass lines and the singing, the easier.

[RobJ]

I agree with the idea that you should learn each independently and meld them together when you really don't have to think about doing either. Once you start worrying about the lyrics for instance chances are your playing will start to suffer. I've been singing and playing for years, learning to do them together well was a real challenge so be patient with yourself. Its not going to happen over night.

[rockscott]

As others have stated tons of practice! I find it easier to finger play and sing. I use fingers & pick so its not a big deal to me, to use fingers?

[MisterFabulous]

Here's a good thread on that:

Bassist's Guide to Singing

[DigitalMan]

Originally Posted by MisterFabulous

Here's a good thread on that:

Bassist's Guide to Singing

There is a brief mention of piano early in the thread noted above. I think taking time and learning piano can help in two ways. First, the syncopation between left and right hands mimics the interaction between bass lines and vocal lines. Plus, piano is a great instrument to learn to sing along with as well (as opposed to just a bass, which is hard to really practice solo plus vocals in any real semblance of a performance.)

[Coreythebassman]

Another good thing to do is to play scales while you sing the scales starting on a different note (ie the 3rd)