How much do you sing?

cheezkid · #1 10-07-2008, 10:46 AM

Just wondering how much other bass players sing.
I sing only backup and only if absolutely necessary. I have to put a lot of work into learning the harmonies.

buzzbass · #2 10-07-2008, 10:55 AM

none, it would not be a good thing.

four2oh · #3 10-07-2008, 10:56 AM

wish i could, but i sound like Tom Waits choking on a frog.

The Golden Boy · #4 10-07-2008, 10:59 AM

I like singing.

I have a limited vocal range (at least what I'm comfortable with), so I'll never be a good "lead" singer (and that whole 'playing bass while singing' thing). I'm perfectly happy singing harmonies and backups- usually in girly falsetto voice. I'm actually pretty crappy about "learning" a part and will just pick a part- and sometimes it crosses over and around. It's usually a "good" harmony, just not the one that I "should" be singing.

Phalex · #5 10-07-2008, 11:21 AM

I sing lead on a few songs, and backups on some others. It really has to be the right song for me to sing lead and play at the same time.

bassist15 · #6 10-08-2008, 06:17 PM

I'm the lead singer in my band. I had never tried singing in any bands before but when my new trio formed we were gonna look for a singer and I thought Id try when we couldn't find anyone. Few weeks later we won a battle of the bands and people have been complimenting me on my singing. Most people came up to me and said "I didn't know you could sing!" ....to which I said "Neither did I until a few weeks ago". I really enjoy it!

Lazylion · #7 10-08-2008, 07:52 PM

I sing a few leads with my country band, and harmony on most everything else.
With my originals band, my brother sings the lead on his songs, I sing a few covers, and harmonies on his and everyone else's tunes.

Short answer: a lot.

Edit: I voted Main backup, because I spend the most time doing harmonies.

**Howlin' Hanson** · #8 10-08-2008, 09:57 PM

I voted "shared leads." I sing about 70% of the leads.

When I went into this band, I told them I wanted to focus on my bass playing.

Doesn't seem to be turning out that way.

But then I started years ago as a (non-playing) singer, so what did I expect?

Lady Kayri · #9 10-09-2008, 10:47 AM

Wish I COULD sing, but ... when I try, I sound like a sopping wet squirrel complaining about how wet and cold the fur is... I've had allergies all my life, and as a result my voice is really nasual... I took voice lessons just to get my speaking voice to a level where it isn't too annoying. Think of "Ernestine the phone lady" and you'll get an idea what my voice is like. Trying to sing - air raid sirens sound better.

Phantopeth · #10 10-09-2008, 12:23 PM

I help with gang vocals. Although I'm never miced, so I'm just the drummer yelling out the lyrics to no one in particular

**baba** · #11 10-09-2008, 12:33 PM

Playing bass I sing lead a few songs per gig and some back up.

Playing guitar I sing lead every song. Much easier on guitar!!!

**Rune Bivrin** · #12 10-09-2008, 12:33 PM

I'm a lead singer since 25 years, who found myself holding a bass 2 years ago. I thought it was just a "while we're looking" thing, but noone actually did any looking, so there it is.

theroan · #13 10-09-2008, 12:43 PM

I am either just a singer (and screamer I should say) or I play bass and don't sing at all. Different projects of course.

varunkapahi · #14 10-09-2008, 01:01 PM

i cant sing to save my life

MakiSupaStar · #15 10-09-2008, 01:04 PM

In my jamband I used to do way back yonder vocals. You know the "Roll Away, the dew" parts on Franklin's tower. That kind of stuff. Not all songs. Only songs that are pretty basic root notes played in the key of the vocal harmony.