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A little friendly career advice

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by dougjwray, Jun 17, 2019.

  1. Jun 17, 2019 #1
    dougjwray

    dougjwray

    Jul 20, 2005
    Your attention, please.
    If you want to get gigs, put aside the obsession over buying this month's hot piece of equipment, and...
    learn to sing.
    (Unless you're in a Dream Theater or Dirty Loops tribute band, or you already have three lead vocalists!)
    Thank you.
    That is all. :thumbsup:
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019
    shoot-r, bound'n'blocked, zoonose and 2 others like this.
  2. Jun 17, 2019 #2
    Ostie

    Ostie

    Aug 1, 2018
    We’re the boys from the Capitol City!
    Good advice. It will get you more gigs. It wont get you a bigger paycheck, but it will get you more paychecks.
     
    bound'n'blocked, zoonose and Reedt2000 like this.
  3. Jun 17, 2019 #3
    buldog5151bass

    buldog5151bass Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.

    Oct 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    Good vocals are the difference between a good band and guys making music. My present band has 4 very capable lead vocalists, and all 5 players can harmonize well.
     
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  4. Jun 17, 2019 #4
    dannylectro

    dannylectro Supporting Member

    Aug 2, 2010
    Hartsdale, NY
    Ten singing lessons with a highly qualified singing teacher.... the best money I ever spent on music.
     
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  5. Jun 17, 2019 #5
    Reedt2000

    Reedt2000 Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2017
    Central New Jersey
    The fact I can sing lead or harmonize has gotten me more work, no question :thumbsup:
     
    Richland123, filmtex, bound'n'blocked and 1 other person like this.
  6. Jun 17, 2019 #6
    dannylectro

    dannylectro Supporting Member

    Aug 2, 2010
    Hartsdale, NY
    ^^ my average singing perfectly compliments my average bass playing...
     
    bound'n'blocked likes this.
  7. Jun 18, 2019 #7
    bound'n'blocked

    bound'n'blocked

    Jan 25, 2010
    Grayson, KY
    I'll agree with both of these posts. I've gotten several sub gigs because the guy calling knew I could add in some background vox. I'm not a great lead singer, but I can find that extra harmony part pretty easily.

    My band was playing last weekend. Our harmony vocals were on it! (one lead singer and two backing vox). A good friend came to me on break and said "your harmonies are some of the best I've ever heard. They are at the place I always wanted the bands I was in to be!" He's been in a ton of bands over the years and some really top ones too. I really appreciated it.

    I've always felt someone may not notice a sour note you play, but crappy singing is always noticed!

    BnB
     
    Reedt2000 likes this.
  8. Jun 18, 2019 #8
    TolerancEJ

    TolerancEJ

    May 27, 2010
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    I don't even like my speaking voice. Haha
     
    JimK likes this.
  9. Jun 18, 2019 #9
    Richland123

    Richland123

    Apr 17, 2009
    I tell this advice to young bass players often.

    Bass players are always in demand.
    Good bass players are even more in demand.
    Good bass players who can sing are highly in demand.
    Good bass players who can sing and also manage a band and book gigs get the most offers.

    Make yourself as valuable as possible.
     
  10. Jun 18, 2019 #10
    lokikallas

    lokikallas Supporting Member

    Aug 15, 2010
    los angeles
    I always try to sing backups, it really is a big deal to pull off two and even three part harmonies on some of the cover band classics. I'm starting to do more lead vox too. I am really trying to lock down the 1st call spot, and being able to give the bandleader/lead vocalist a break for a few songs is very valuable.