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Best bass to play for singing

#21
I guess the singing is easier with time I guess I just meant that when I perform I put a little movement in it and I just found that when I am singing some bass guitars just feel more natural my singing is consistent for me with almost any bass
 
#24
terribilino said:
Someone tell this guy (start at 1:32, and then watch for him zipping back and forth in the background):

Who wouldn't do that if they could? It's just that most people can't. I can barely move when I'm playing.

A show's a show.
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I'm still working on that walking and chewing gum at the same time thing!

X8 :)
 
#25
The "best" bass is which ever one you are the most comfortable with on stage! Personally, I tried playing five string for a while but found it a bit awkward because I was used to four. Once you get comfortable playing and singing at the same time the bass you use shouldn't be an issue.
 
#26
cassius987 said:
The best bass for singing is the bass you play all the time. This means you do not have to look at it very much to play it in tune, especially for he first seven frets/semitones. This also means you have no comfort issues with the bass or any other niggles that would distract you. For me it is a fretless Rickenbacker.

To sing and play bass, you have to learn your bass part very precisely, then completely forget about it. Of the two disciplines, bass takes more time to learn, but once you lock it in I find even complex parts simple. On the other hand my singing never "locks in" quite as much as that and I have to put a little more thought into inflection and pitch than I do with bass, where it's gotten like riding a bike for me.
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well said.....
 
#27
My custom 8-string, usually, because I'm not as inclined to run around and expend all my energy between singing sections. It's amazing how much energy it takes to properly control your voice, and how quickly you can lose all of that energy.

As for playing, I've never had a problem singing/playing with any of my basses in particular, just with singing and playing certain lines simultaneously.
 
#28
I'm a singing bassist and I never really gave it much thought other than to play whatever feels most comfortable to me. But I've played several different basses live without a problem. I'd suggest a lighter weight, well-balanced instrument. (Important, IMO. You don't want to be fighting to hold up a diving headstock all night). I also generally prefer to use my active basses live, since I find the general evenness of output and on board EQ helps to keep my playing relaxed and cutting through. But that's purely a matter of preference.
 
#31
I just thought it might be a fun thread the dynamics of a show are subject to many variables,I have not had trouble playing and singing for a long time now but I do find running back to the mic from a solo is my biggest problem,I will say this singing and playing guitar fo me anyway was far easier but I enjoyed reading these threads you fellow bassist have submitted,oh and with the pix I uploaded it is easier choreographing and singing and moving with the Hof instead of the Ric,I try and get the audience to feel the bass and be entertaining,I have watched tremendous talents but they are visually boring as a musician I appreciate it though.Then I see moderatly talented bands with good stage presence and the crowd goes ape,I was just wanting to hear of others experiences,Happy New Year to all
 
#32
namraj said:
I find the problem with the Hofner Icon is it's too iconic, people just see it as a beatles bass. So any genre played thats not that kinda era I feel it looks out of place, though for singing I probably would agree that a short scale light weight bass would be beneficial.
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My problem with singing and playing a Hofner(singing and playing a Hofner[and a Ric, and a Jazz]is my job) is when I'm stuck with a straight mic stand, the Hofner body is thick and causes the strings to hit the mic stand, not a problem with a boom, or with a solidbody bass.
 
#34
iamthebassman said:
My problem with singing and playing a Hofner(singing and playing a Hofner[and a Ric, and a Jazz]is my job) is when I'm stuck with a straight mic stand, the Hofner body is thick and causes the strings to hit the mic stand, not a problem with a boom, or with a solidbody bass.
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Larry Graham ;)

4596119594_48178c86af.jpg
 
#37
Lead vocals are easier I sang in a oldies group and learned alot about singing harmony,Iknow that now both come as second nature but I sang melody for years then went to harmony and it was not playing bass that made things sticky but I would work my vocal part find a note in the walk that was my first note and use my bass as a reference point.With practice it does all become easier and I agree that your most familiar bass is the best one for anything I was just feelin that some bass guitars are easier to dance around with for me not maybe everyone else has felt this way and thats also good
 
#39
iamthebassman said:
My problem with singing and playing a Hofner(singing and playing a Hofner[and a Ric, and a Jazz]is my job) is when I'm stuck with a straight mic stand, the Hofner body is thick and causes the strings to hit the mic stand, not a problem with a boom, or with a solidbody bass.
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As for the mic stand. I wouldn't put that much effort to get "close enough" to the straight-type; lean back a little and put more power to the singing, but mostly I'm having this type of "nowadays" stand (attached), don't have a "bashing" problem at all :bassist:
 

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