Auditioning & Back Ground Vocals

bluewine · #1 08-03-2010, 11:23 AM

Just a tip most of you veterans already are aware of this. If you auditioning for established working bands (bands that are out there making money)

The center piece of most successful working bands are vocals and background vocals. While they might not list it as a requirement, it really is and they will take the player with background vocal skills over the better bass player.

So, it’s just something to keep in mind if you don’t have much auditioning experience. Bands at this level are not going to tell you much about the back ground vocals up front.

Me, I have already started taking singing lessons.

Comments?

Lemoore-on · #2 08-03-2010, 02:07 PM

Been thinking about the same thing, I definatly could use some improvment, but my biggest problem is singing and playing at the same time on some songs.

Back up vocals are offten overlooked at the simi pro level.

TheVoiceless · #3 08-03-2010, 02:24 PM

YES!!! I learned my lesson. I was pasted on a major label band because of it. I made it through two auditions but ultimately lost the gig because of vocals. Its worth it to take a few lessons. Even if you can just do some "group" vocals. It will help you get the gig. Ultimately being able to sing a lead on a song would be helpful.

Beller · #4 08-03-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

my biggest problem is singing and playing at the same time on some songs.

+1 I'd love to hear suggestions on this issue.

Stumbo · #5 08-03-2010, 02:38 PM

Bassist's guide to singing: Bassist's Guide to Singing

treekiller · #6 08-03-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beller

+1 I'd love to hear suggestions on this issue.

+2 I've had the same problem, either it flows easily or I just keep stumbling. I've had some great compliments on my backing vocals, so I'm getting more confidence in my singing but I keep having problems trying to do both at once!!!

bluewine · #7 08-03-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemoore-on

Been thinking about the same thing, I definatly could use some improvment, but my biggest problem is singing and playing at the same time on some songs.

Back up vocals are offten overlooked at the simi pro level.

Yeah, it's not like playing guitar and singing.

Anyone who has mastered it will tell you it's not easy and requires allot of practice.

I watched 3 pro bands last weekend, star Ship, Denis Deyound (Styx) and Kenny Loggins. All 3 bands had bass players that were doing background vocals like it was nothing.

Lemoore-on · #8 08-03-2010, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

Yeah, it's not like playing guitar and singing.

Anyone who has mastered it will tell you it's not easy and requires allot of practice.

I watched 3 pro bands last weekend, star Ship, Denis Deyound (Styx) and Kenny Loggins. All 3 bands had bass players that were doing background vocals like it was nothing.

Some songs flow easily while others are down right not do-able.

So do I concentrate on playing the bass line? or simplify it and make sure I sing it strong?

I try to compromise, if the GP can sing it ok alone I nail the bass, if he needs help with the back ground vocals the bass suffers so I can help. I'm getting better and sing in alot of songs, and I continue to work on it.

bassbully · #9 08-03-2010, 09:17 PM

As i have said before i have only been back about 9 years to bass playing and gigging after not touching music for over 25 years. It has taken me 5 years to start to do decent back ground vocals. Today I am doing them but still its a work in progress. I am happy with the work i have put in and the success i have gotten from the effort so far.
When i first got back to playing if i tried to answer a question while playing i would screw up my bassline.
the funny thing is i can play guitar and sing fairly well but bass and singing is a whole different world...much tougher IMO..don't give up thou.

busmandan · #10 08-04-2010, 12:10 PM

I guess I'm lucky. I was a singer before I was a bass player. I learned bass simply because there weren't any bass players around back then, and giving up singing to play bass wasn't really an option.

What works best for me is to learn the song on bass first, then integrate the vocals. The hardest songs to learn are those with polar opposite patterns - i.e. fast moving bass line and slow vocal line or slow bass line with a fast vocal line.

-- Dan --

claytitan · #11 08-04-2010, 02:08 PM

Singing lead, BG harmonies and also playing bass will help you get in a better band. It also makes you hard to replace. If you own the PA as well then you are definitely in the driver seat.

bluewine · #12 08-04-2010, 06:29 PM

You know, you would think an aggressive East Cost Style bass player would be in demand.Guess not

These guys only have a limited view of what they want, they won't expand, but then again, they don't have 45 years of Pop Music and Pop Culture experience, like me.

I was 11 or 12 when I stood in front of an audience with a band and bass.

My God, I remember when The New York Dolls started makin the scene at Maxes Kansas City.

If I even mention The Dolls in passing to these kids, they act like I have a disease. It ain't right.

Any young Pop Musician that won't go back and at least learn a little history is usless to me, as I am aparently usless to them.

I am off to the Gym to work off this frustration.

chump stain · #13 08-04-2010, 10:31 PM

Practice.

I've been in bands where I've sang lead on a few songs, but mostly I sing harmony. For a while when I was between bands, I really didn't sing much. I had an audition with a band, that didn't mention anything about me singing. When I got there they were like, can you sing? I said "yeah, but it's been a while". And they were like "can you sing now" (at the audition). I said "I'm really not ready, I didn't practice". Needless to say I didn't get that gig, and it would have been a great gig.

Now I sing all the time. And yeah sometimes the basslines will have to be simplified. But I've noticed that if either a guitarist, or bassist is singing a part in a song, harmony or lead, then usually it's do-able.

Use the words as cues, as to when to strike your notes when it gets tough. For the most part now it's easy, and you just get in the zone and don't have to think about the bass, and just focus on hitting the right notes with your voice. It's pretty cool when you realized your hands just played the bassline perfect, and you were thinking about vocals.

DWBass · #14 08-05-2010, 05:43 AM

I agree. My band's biggest selling point is our vocals which are heads above the rest of the band's in our area. Too bad we're a new band and have to make a name for ourselves before everyone knows about us! If you ain't got the vocals down, you're pretty much just a jam band (with a killer bassist). I've worked extremely hard at being able to sing and play at the same time. Some songs, I just can't do it though.

MNAirHead · #15 08-05-2010, 06:46 AM

couple of notes...

1-yes will get you more gigs..
2-tough to sing and play bass at the same time
3-hire a vocal coach and learn to consistantly hit the chord tonic.. you then can promote this as harmony.

I only front very simple songs.. then with watered down bass lines.. Most vocalists like that I can drone in a harmony line they can go over top.

There are some tunes that become very circular at the ending.. IF you can train your lead singer to start you out - you then can double on the vocal line -- the lead singer then can drop out and adlib over top.

MNAirHead · #16 08-05-2010, 06:48 AM

oh yea..

To find a vocal coach.. go to a church or music department.. most folks will cut you a very sweet coaching deal if you just ask... they're not in high demand.