Advice for a vocalist

[H Nighttrain]

Wasn't sure where to post, but this forum apparently includes "gigs gone wrong", so here goes.

Our lead vocalist suffered a very serious medical condition, and I and our guitarist got forced into vocal duties. Guitar player took the majority, I was singing about 2-3 songs per set. When he couldn't make the gig I had to do the entire show (with kybd/drums only!)

The band soon dissloved. The keyboardist is now trying to get me into his new band where the BL is a bassist, so I'd be vocals only.

I'm just looking for advice, basic stuff/advanced stuff, on transitioning from a some-time singing bassist into a vocals-only front man.

I'll start searching the web, but I ask all my music-related questions here first .

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Oooh! I know!! Don’t carry anything during load in or out.

It is the lead singer way…

 

[PDW30]

Wasn't sure where to post, but this forum apparently includes "gigs gone wrong", so here goes.

Our lead vocalist suffered a very serious medical condition, and I and our guitarist got forced into vocal duties. Guitar player took the majority, I was singing about 2-3 songs per set. When he couldn't make the gig I had to do the entire show (with kybd/drums only!)

The band soon dissloved. The keyboardist is now trying to get me into his new band where the BL is a bassist, so I'd be vocals only.

I'm just looking for advice, basic stuff/advanced stuff, on transitioning from a some-time singing bassist into a vocals-only front man.

I'll start searching the web, but I ask all my music-related questions here first .

First thing - make sure it's what you want to do. Don't get pushed into a role you're not comfortable with. How do you feel about dropping the bass?

 

[Biggbass]

Study Mick Jagger and do what he does!

 

[KeepItMoving]

From a technique point of view, the approach in this book helped me a lot:

The Rock-N-Roll Singer's Survival Manual Hal Leonard Online

Buy the official Hal Leonard Book, 'The Rock-N-Roll Singer's Survival Manual'

www.halleonard.com

But as others are noting, while technique is a very important piece of the puzzle, the lead singer role also involves a bunch of other factors - stagecraft, connecting with and responding to an audience, how you dress and wear your hair, and just generally having some sort of vision for what you want to convey as a performer. If that stuff appeals to you you should jump on the opportunity - it’s a pretty rare offer!

 

[DanAdams]

Which is more fun, bass or vocals?
(pausing for your answer)
Do that one.

 

[H Nighttrain]

First thing - make sure it's what you want to do. Don't get pushed into a role you're not comfortable with. How do you feel about dropping the bass?

I was quite surprised by the idea, and my initial reply was something like "you must be joking!"

But since I quit my real job to pursue playing full-time, I've been pushed out of my comfort zone constantly by the pros I've hooked up with. And it seemed like every time I turned on the TV I saw an interview where the person would relate how someone "saw something in me that I didn't." It felt like the universe telling me to do it.

And no, no, no, I won't be dropping bass, perish the thought!

 

[micguy]

I have standards. Any band that would want me as a lead vocalist is not good enough for me to play bass for.

Yeah, I'm no help.

 

[H Nighttrain]

Study Mick Jagger and do what he does!

I've got no moves like Jagger... I also don't know what I'll do with my hands, let alone my feet. I'm going to have to watch some video of myself, which I know will be both humbling and horrifying.

 

[H Nighttrain]

From a technique point of view, the approach in this book helped me a lot:

The Rock-N-Roll Singer's Survival Manual Hal Leonard Online

Buy the official Hal Leonard Book, 'The Rock-N-Roll Singer's Survival Manual'

www.halleonard.com

But as others are noting, while technique is a very important piece of the puzzle, the lead singer role also involves a bunch of other factors - stagecraft, connecting with and responding to an audience, how you dress and wear your hair, and just generally having some sort of vision for what you want to convey as a performer. If that stuff appeals to you you should jump on the opportunity - it’s a pretty rare offer!

Much appreciation for the book, exawhat I need!

The soft skills you mention are many of the things my mentors have stressed. Being good, sounding good, playing well, constantly... is just the minimum when your pay is in tips. Ive had some modest "frontman" experience, I've lifted lines from others fronting bands, I'm gonna start studying them more intently.

Dress is key... I can't explain it, buy I know for a fact that tip money is directly proportional to how good your shoes look!

 

[Ostie]

I think I’d have to have at least a rhythm guitar in my hands.

 

[H Nighttrain]

Which is more fun, bass or vocals?
(pausing for your answer)
Do that one.

Being a bass player is basically my identity, and like I said I'll keep gigging as a bass player. Over time I've sang more and more.

A few years ago the lead singer/guitar player in a 3-man band had to miss a gig, one-day notice, I found a sub for guitar and had to do all the singing. I found it mentally exhausting, you have to be "on" for every song, no simple playing your part and cruising thru the set - it was work!

But getting forced into action by our singer's troubles meant that I had to get comfortable, fast (we were doing 3 days a week, 4-6 hrs a day). And although our guitar player took over most of the job, I felt that I was better at connecting with the audience. And then I had to do two days where I was the only one with a mic. Again, forced me to step up.

Like anything else, you get more comfortable the more you do it.

 

[H Nighttrain]

I'll also pass on the best singing advice I've gotten so far. Just singing a song well isn't sufficient, you've got to express the feeling of the song.

E.g., I would sing "Blue Suede Shoes", and do a pretty good job with it. But a drummer told me he didn't believe me when I sang it. Now I try to convince people that really, I don't give a damn about any of the other stuff, just don't even think about f'n with my f'n shoes!!! and the song goes over way better - even if you're out of tune or off the beat a little, you've got to convey the meaning of the words you're singing.

 

[Hasty]

I think I’d have to have at least a rhythm guitar in my hands.

Change the word rhythm to acoustic and you could be any worship pastor anywhere...

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, make sure your voice is physically up for the increase in singing.

I went from a group where I sang 2-3 songs a night to a trio. We don't have a dedicated lead vocalist, so we rotate singing lead. It's been good for me and made me realize what I could and couldn't do vocally.
But there's a physical component that comes with it.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

[mambo4]

I like to sing for my own personal enjoyment
but I find that some material pushed my limits- voice breaking as I go high,
I have no "middle" range, no smooth transition between lower and higher notes
So I recently got curious about real vocal technique and started searching for information

May favorite resources discovered on YT:
Chirs Liepe


Kurt Wolf




If technique is not an issue then you should consider presentation or stage presence
the only person I know of who actually tries to teach practical stagecraft for musicians
is Tom Jackson


many musicians recoil at the idea that you shoudl hit the stage with a plan of some kind
so feel free to ignore stagecraft if you object

Of course they are all selling a course
but they have good free stuff too.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Practice and observe others doing the "in between song talking/banter"....that is unless the BL bassist still plans on doing it. Cheesy and cringey banter from a lead vocalist between songs is almost worse than lack of vocal abilities. Avoid: excessive swearing, weird fake accents, "shouting out" too often, engaging the audience in socials.

Also consider the strengths of your vocal instrument. People can be good singers but not have vocal instruments that people like to listen to. You can't really change it, but you can be aware of it and play up other strengths.

Figure out what to do while the band is playing and there are no vocals. Consider how much is too much and what is too little movement, headbobbing, emoting, etc.

Don't wear a ball cap.

Don't seek shelter and security in the iPad or binder of lyrics.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Practice considering yourself the center of the universe.
And make sure the rest of the band understands their just sidemen.
And of course, the name of the band is now ( Your name) and the ( Something’s)

 

[sunbeast]

I'll also pass on the best singing advice I've gotten so far. Just singing a song well isn't sufficient, you've got to express the feeling of the song.

E.g., I would sing "Blue Suede Shoes", and do a pretty good job with it. But a drummer told me he didn't believe me when I sang it. Now I try to convince people that really, I don't give a damn about any of the other stuff, just don't even think about f'n with my f'n shoes!!! and the song goes over way better - even if you're out of tune or off the beat a little, you've got to convey the meaning of the words you're singing.

Indeed- came here to say this! I had a really talented originals band many years ago (kinda modern-Judas Priest influenced metal stuff) who found our lead singer shredding karaoke songs and she had only been in a single band for a short time previously. Her technical skills were insane, but she didn’t write lyrics and it turns out just never really conveyed the feel of the lyrics our bandmates wrote very convincingly despite nailing the performances from a technical standpoint all the time. It was all just a matter of lacking feeling for the material, which I guess is it’s own skill that is much harder to teach (how to convey emotion through your vocals)

 

[KeepItMoving]

Much appreciation for the book, exawhat I need!

The soft skills you mention are many of the things my mentors have stressed. Being good, sounding good, playing well, constantly... is just the minimum when your pay is in tips. Ive had some modest "frontman" experience, I've lifted lines from others fronting bands, I'm gonna start studying them more intently.

Dress is key... I can't explain it, buy I know for a fact that tip money is directly proportional to how good your shoes look!

Happy to share that book — I took some lessons years ago with the fellow who wrote it, and found his whole approach to the subject really helpful and sustainable. Good coverage of the stuff @Hurricane Jimmie mentions above, taking care of the physical component of being a singer.

Sounds like you're thinking along the exact right lines and that the challenge is appealing, and I hope the whole experience proves to be a great one for you!

And you're 100% right about dress....again, years ago, after the band I was fronting finished a set, a gal walked over while we were packing up and said, with genuine enthusiasm, "that shirt you're wearing is great - it was my favorite part of the show!" I was a little taken aback, but, hey, she enjoyed something about the performance and that's the important thing.