Are you a bass player that sings or a singer that plays bass?

Discussion in 'Bassists [BG]' started by Steve Keele, Jun 20, 2020.

  1. Bass player that sings

    59.5%
  2. Singer that plays bass

    12.7%
  3. Bass player that can't sing

    24.1%
  4. Carrots

    3.8%
  1. Steve Keele

    Steve Keele

    Dec 4, 2007
    I'm been in a band for over 10 years where we have a great lead singer. Our keyboard player and drummer sing most of the back up. In this band I'm a bass player that occasionally sings back up.

    About 2 1/2 years ago I joined a band where I share singing duties with the guitar player. I sing lead on half the songs and back up on the other half. When I started singing more, I noticed my voice got tired quickly, I didn't have much range and was frequently flat. I was quite embarrassed when looking at videos of my performance.

    I decided to get some voice lessons. I started looking on the internet and I found someone with a singing course I believed would work for me. I bought it and started practicing. Now days I practice singing more than I practice bass playing. I consider myself more of a singer that plays bass. Anyone else?
     
    Groove Doctor likes this.
  2. Droopy_TX

    Droopy_TX

    Jul 17, 2016
    Houston
    I am a bass player who sings when the rhythm of the bass line doesn’t impede my ability to sing the vocal line.
    Many times, that relegates me to backup vocalist.
     
    Plectrum72 and lomo like this.
  3. gebass6

    gebass6 We're not all trying to play the same music. Supporting Member

    I tried that once.
    It was recorded.
    I sound like Kermit the Frog.

    No.

    I don't play vocal music.
    I.Do.Not.Sing.
    No.
     
  4. Kro

    Kro

    May 7, 2003
    New Jersey
    I consider myself a musician, who plays bass and sings. ;)
     
  5. bholder

    bholder Affable Sociopath Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Sep 2, 2001
    Vestal, NY
    Received a gift from Sire* (see sig)
    I try to sing. I am a bass player. Big diff.
     
  6. Steve Keele

    Steve Keele

    Dec 4, 2007
    I like this. Excellent response
     
  7. Gorn

    Gorn

    Dec 15, 2011
    Queens, NY
    I'm a player that sings bass.
     
  8. What is the best bass for Singers?
     
    danesdad and Bunk McNulty like this.
  9. Tim Skaggs

    Tim Skaggs

    Sep 28, 2002
    I don’t know if I qualify as a bass player or a singer, but I know I’m miles closer to being a bass player than being a singer.
     
  10. Slade N

    Slade N Supporting Member

    May 28, 2005
    portland, or
    Since I play bass more than I sing, even when Im also the lead singer I think of myself as a singing bass player
     
    BLDavis likes this.
  11. Killing Floor

    Killing Floor Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2020
    Austin, TX
    I think (I hope) when I sing lead I try to be more mindful of my voice than my bass. That doesn't mean I think I play poorly but I do make sure when I am singing my bass line is totally in hand so I don't have to think about it. I just think as a bassist, that more people will catch a vocal error.
     
    btmpancake likes this.
  12. JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Bassist who sings. I can sing some leads, I do really well with backups, but I have to pick my lead material carefully and can't just sing song after song.
     
  13. 2112

    2112 Supporting Member

    Apr 30, 2005
    I'm a bassist and singer that can't do both simultaneously.
     
  14. I'm not very good at either one but I can make a good bass-face. :mad:
     
    danesdad and bobyoung53 like this.
  15. I can sing a few songs, and play bass. But I don’t like my voice, and it’s not very fun.
    If I have something to say, I’ll say it with my bass.
     
    BLDavis and 2playbass like this.
  16. That’s literally half the battle!
     
    danesdad and BadSanta1281 like this.
  17. zontar

    zontar

    Feb 19, 2014
    J-5
    I'ma bass player that doesn't sing
    or am I a non singer who plays bass?
     
  18. Never no singing. We always had exceptional strong lead and B/G singers with amazingly tight harmonies in the R&B soul world. We focused on being a tight rhythm section because it was easy getting singers and there were many times when audience participation would be fun because they knew the song and the recorded right key to our popular covers. I really miss all those singers that were great and we just went along for a gravy ride.
     
  19. tyohars

    tyohars

    Nov 11, 2016
    I'm a bass player who backup singer on occasion
     
  20. MakoMan

    MakoMan

    Oct 17, 2011
    Ottawa, Canada
    I'm definitely a singer who plays bass. I sing 90% of our band's songs and sometimes I have to dumb the bass lines down a bit to be able to sing certain songs properly. I've also been known to use a capo on some tunes :nailbiting:
    I am at best mediocre on bass, which isn't terribly surprising as I started playing only in my 50s and have virtually no musical ability, other than the ability to keep time - the one thing I can actually do pretty well as a bassist. Otherwise everything I play is mechanical and I learn the songs note by note on the bass from tabs and chord charts. I could not play by ear if my life depended on it. I use a tablet when performing, not because I need it for the lyrics, but because I occasionally need to check the bass notes.
    The funny thing is nobody seems to notice... not even other musicians. I get asked all the time to join other bands and get compliments on my bass playing from musicians with more talent in their little finger than I have in my entire body.