Singer needs improvement.

Twobass · #1 09-07-2009, 01:57 PM

I just wanted some advice, I'm in a cover band and we mostly (for now anyway) play 90's songs. The thing is the singer is not that good, and he's sort of the weak link. Very nice guy and he's willing to sing just about anything. I joined a few months ago and I haven't said anything yet, because we've only played out twice.

The problem is on a lot of songs he's way off key and for me it's a hard thing to tell someone, but as we start playing out more, I'm not feeling very confident with his singing. So my question is how do I handle this without being a jerk?

electracoyote · #2 09-07-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twobass

he's willing to sing just about anything.

Could be part of the problem. Not many singers can handle just about anything.

Quote:

how do I handle this without being a jerk?

Well, not alone, that's for sure.

You need to have this conversation with the other members first. You may get a consensus and a plan.

Or you may be the only voice of desent. If so, you have two clear choices: Bite your tongue and try to enjoy the gigs as much as possible, or look for greener pastures.

I feel for ya, it's a tough situation because your singer is the voice of the band, the focal point, and if it doesn't sound right to you, chances are it doesn't sound right to a portion of your audience too.

Twobass · #3 09-07-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Could be part of the
I feel for ya, it's a tough situation because your singer is the voice of the band, the focal point, and if it doesn't sound right to you, chances are it doesn't sound right to a portion of your audience too.

Yea that's already happened, we played a party a few months ago and some of my family was there and they weren't impressed. He does want to try to sing anything especially heavier songs which he doesn't do well.

Kenny Allyn · #4 09-07-2009, 06:46 PM

After a band consensus with some of the same and other performance issues we had to let her go. When you do that you always take a chance and we did, tried a new singer, didn't work out after three gigs. Guitar player quit, fired the new singer, the drummer and I went our own way, and are finding it rewarding and successful.

... Ya pays your money and takes your chances!

JohnnyNacho · #5 09-07-2009, 06:50 PM

You could suggest that he watch these videos if you think he is capable of improving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTh25Q6qCak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0gMt...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_8Yv...eature=related

I found them really helpful. Good luck!

Twobass · #6 09-07-2009, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the link to those videos, they are very helpful. I just have to find a way to mention it to him.

JohnnyNacho · #7 09-07-2009, 07:43 PM

Hey, no problem man, I just hope the whole thing doesn't blow up in your face. I'm sure you know how singers can be... Just proceed with caution...

Quadcam · #8 09-07-2009, 10:11 PM

hmm thats a tough one....I would get the rest of the band together and kind of approach the singer in a real casual setting. Tell him that while you like his vocals the band is always striving to be better and maybe he could practice on training his voice either by those videos or maybe some vocal lessons.

the voice is an instrument and just like any other you have to practice to get better.
I dont know why a lot of singers just think they can be good and not practice, I bust my ass practicing my drums day after day. I dont see why vocals should be any different

make it sound like he isnt the problem but tell him how he could help the band. just gotta approach it very carefully, if he still wont get the hint you may just have to convince the band members to find a new vocalist.

Hell Hetfield starting taking vocal lessons right before Metallica made the black album, cant say I liked his voice better, I actually preferred it the way it was but the point is theres is nothing wrong with striving to be better at something and if that means going the lesson route than so be it.

Knifedge · #9 09-07-2009, 10:17 PM

I ran into a situation like that about 10 years ago with a singer who was an incredible person, but had a hard time keeping in key when singing. What I did was suggest to video record the band playing in a live venue for a "promo pack" to give to the bars. When I viewed the video, I viewed it with the rest of the band so they would all be happy with the video being in the promo pack. At that point, the singer recognized on his own that he was off key a lot. He felt pretty bad about it and wanted to quit.

All I did was suggest that he take lessons from a professional singer for a bit, it seemed like the problem was that his breathing technique worked against him, and that he wasn't 100% familiar with how to "tune" his vocal chords. About 4 to 6 months of lessons and a lot of practice, there was an amazing difference. He was more confident, a much better front man, and he sang in key...

steveksux · #10 09-07-2009, 10:33 PM

How are the monitors? If he can't hear himself, he can't tell he's out of key while singing.

If you guys are so loud you drown out the monitors, it may not be his fault.

Just a thought.

Randy

Twobass · #11 09-08-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

How are the monitors? If he can't hear himself, he can't tell he's out of key while singing.

If you guys are so loud you drown out the monitors, it may not be his fault.

Just a thought.

Randy

Wel have the monitors so everyone can hear the vocals. He doesn't have much experience so that might be a problem as well. I'll talk to the rest of the band, I just think we have to mention it to him. I don't think it's doing him any good if he continues to be off key.

Caca de Kick · #12 09-08-2009, 03:29 AM

Why not just mention to him if he ever thought about vocal lessons.

Twobass · #13 09-08-2009, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Why not just mention to him if he ever thought about vocal lessons.

I will mention that to him and try to make it positive.

billhilly66 · #14 09-08-2009, 02:29 PM

Is the rest of your band happy with a lame singer? If so, you got other issues.

Twobass · #15 09-08-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billhilly66

Is the rest of your band happy with a lame singer? If so, you got other issues.

Well I think they realize the same problems that I notice, since we really haven't been playing it hasn't been an issue. Now that we are playing out a little more it's going to be an issue.

RichardCranium · #16 09-08-2009, 04:42 PM

Vocal lessons will for sure help. A lot of "natural" singers have bad technique and it really hinders their voice. Also some people's voice just can't do certain things. I know personally I can't sing anything heavy or "throaty" just because of how I was taught to sing.

Does he have issues all the time or just when he's trying to do certain things? Covers are tough sometimes trying to do many different styles. Try to find a style he does better and focus on that direction. Also +1 on the monitors. If he's having trouble hearing himself it sure isn't helping. If he's a decent guy and willing to work on it you're ahead of the game.

Twobass · #17 09-08-2009, 05:09 PM

He's better at singing grunge songs that don't have a lot of range. Anything other than 90's grunge he's not as good at singing.

Twobass · #18 09-12-2009, 11:42 AM

We had a gig the other night and our singer did improve! It was the best I've heard him sing in a long time, I think it had to do with nerves and I also think he could hear himself much better.

xgator4u · #19 09-12-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twobass

He's better at singing grunge songs that don't have a lot of range. Anything other than 90's grunge he's not as good at singing.

^ THERE it is RANGE.
very few singers can cover all types of music. It is important that a singer remain in his range. If you play songs that are written out of this range you will have problems. Then you need to play the song in an appropriate key that the singer is comfortable with.

mcm · #20 09-12-2009, 11:58 AM

get rid of him and you learn to sing them. Singing lead vocal/bass players are bad ass!