I usually play the bass part over and over until it's automatic. When my band writes new songs it will take a week or two at the least before I can start singing with it, even more if it's a harder song. Practice pays off in the end. Some songs I still can't sing lead on, like Hysteria by Muse is a song that my guitarist as to sing. I just have to think about that bassline too much.
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Bass Player Trying To Sing Harmony ???
- Thread starter Rick in Dixie
- Start date
jive1
Commercial User
For the sake of discussion...........
What do you guys do if you have to perform a song you've never sung before or played the bass line to?
What do you guys do if you have to perform a song you've never sung before or played the bass line to?
jive1 said:
I was forced to sing full time lead at a big concert, cause the singer did not show up!!! I had to sing to his range (the guitar player had no idea how to transpose and we had no time to figure out the key for each song to fit my range) and I had to compose lyrics on the spot to fill in the missing parts (I knew what the songs were all about, more or less, so I made up the verses till we get to the chorus). How is that for a strain on the vocal chords?
And If I am asked to play along sth i've never played before i try to stand by somene who knows the chords, listen to the music (good hearing is essential) and at the same time to look at the drummer to identify the beats (if there is sth out of the ordinary).
I do enjoy singing and playing dissociated lines (eg Sting, Geddy Lee). It feels natural really. I have sang without my bass few times and it feels awkward.
i've never been asked to explain HOW to sing backup whilst playin bass part but i'll do the best i can here:
how i do it for myself:
i'd say you gotta have the bass part down so's you could play it in your sleep. to the point where you don't have to concentrate or "sound it out" in your head.
i try to concentrate more on the harmony than the bass line which becomes a bit more mechanical. i'm primarily concentrating on staying in tune with the voice.
i think its an aquired capability..meaning as you do it more often, the better you'll become at it.
does that make sense? the best i can offer. what works for me may not for you. i ain't no mc cartney, but can hold my own. as stated in the thread, it is great fun as you get better.
how i do it for myself:
i'd say you gotta have the bass part down so's you could play it in your sleep. to the point where you don't have to concentrate or "sound it out" in your head.
i try to concentrate more on the harmony than the bass line which becomes a bit more mechanical. i'm primarily concentrating on staying in tune with the voice.
i think its an aquired capability..meaning as you do it more often, the better you'll become at it.
does that make sense? the best i can offer. what works for me may not for you. i ain't no mc cartney, but can hold my own. as stated in the thread, it is great fun as you get better.
- Nov 7, 2006
- 751
- 19
- Disclosures
- Endorsing-Trace Elliot,Peavey Basses,PedalTrain,Starkey inears
Old trick....Try putting an ear plug in one ear when you sing. Force's you to focus on it more...
I find it easier to sing playing bass than playing guitar. However some basslines can cause problems.
The easiest way I have found is to sit and watch TV while playing the bassline on an acoustic guitar. That way playing is not really on your mind. It seems if I do it this way I can learn the parts easily.
The easiest way I have found is to sit and watch TV while playing the bassline on an acoustic guitar. That way playing is not really on your mind. It seems if I do it this way I can learn the parts easily.
jive1 said:
Pray real hard, take a deep breath, and fly by the seat of my pants. Sometimes its good, sometimes its awful, but its never boring!
Cherie
txbasschik said:It just takes a lot of practice. I practice my backup vocals and bass lines separately, until I get familiar with both, and then together. Some songs are more difficult than others, but with practice, I can get most of what I need to.
Good luck!
Cherie
There you go-- that's the secret.
I practice the bass and vocal parts individually. (I usually practice singing while driving.)
If you can be on automatic pilot (or close) on both parts, you're getting there.
Also...
One of the hardest things for me is finding my note. (It's not like putting your hand on the right note on the fingerboard!)
What I've learned to do is practice singing along with the lead vocal up to the point where my harmony comes in, and then continue with my harmony part. Onstage, I hum the lead vocal melody off-mic, along with the lead singer, and then step up to the mic for the harmony part. That way I don't have to grab for the note an instant before opening my mouth.
Practice, practice, practice. Practice it until you get it right several times in a row, and then repeat it about another 100 times.
One of the hardest things for me is finding my note. (It's not like putting your hand on the right note on the fingerboard!)
What I've learned to do is practice singing along with the lead vocal up to the point where my harmony comes in, and then continue with my harmony part. Onstage, I hum the lead vocal melody off-mic, along with the lead singer, and then step up to the mic for the harmony part. That way I don't have to grab for the note an instant before opening my mouth.
Practice, practice, practice. Practice it until you get it right several times in a row, and then repeat it about another 100 times.
But ive found that once ive recorded a new song (with my backing vox on it) and listenend to it a load of times the bass and the vox just becoming connected in my head and its like just thinking of one part. I cant sing it very well before hearing them being played on cd together as they should be live.. if u see what i mean..)
Also yeah the whole muscle memory thing is vital
sorry its an old post... just wanted to chip in!
Also yeah the whole muscle memory thing is vital
sorry its an old post... just wanted to chip in!
