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How did you find the singer for your band?

W

waidonchasaisew

Mar 24, 2010
121
1
Oahu, Hawaii
#1
My band has been together for a year and a half now and our singers aren't singing as well as we'd hoped. Our lead singer insists on buying acoustic and electric guitars instead of buying a new mic amp to replace his crappy keyboard amp he sings out of. Our backup singer refuses to buy a mic and tells me "I'll get it when I get some money." but that has never happened.

So, basically, I was wondering how you came across your singer and what made you think he/she was the one?
 
#3
It's been hard finding a singer actually. Our singer-songwriter (and an extremely good acoustici guitarist) has an okay voice for some of the faster stuff but the ballads with more sustained notes require more pitch control which isn't his strength.

We've done the Craigslist thing here in Toronto and only have dug up the usual flakes so far, who enthusiastically indicate their interest but then never show up for an audition.

I'm singing a bit now, but still find it difficult to sing and play bass at the same time. I've got to hand it to those of you who do it regularly, as it's not easy doing so much stuff off the beat with bass guitar and then singing at the same time. I can actually play drums and sing a lot easier than I can sing while playing bass.
 
#5
Craigslist. Several times over. It's actually quite convoluted. One of my current bands is made up of former bandmates and (including the singer whom we found on craigslist), and the cover band is made up of other former bandmates (including one of the same guitarists) and they found their signer on CL, and the previous singer on CL, and the previous singer on CL if I'm not mistaken. My former band (the musicians of which are currently in my cover band) also had found our singers on CL, including our original singer who is now the singer in my new band.
 
#7
Our two guitarists cover the majority of the vocals but we're looking for a third lead to take some of the load. Been hit 'n miss on CraigsList. Tim (guitarist) also has a DJ / karaoke business and is able to tap into some of the local "undiscovered" talent.

Riis
 
#8
Our singer flaked four hours before the gig, and I had to handle lead duties. After that disaster, I was hanging out at the bar and talked to the bartender and found out she was a classically trained singer. I invited her to come out and jam with us, and she's been totally awesome ever since.
 
#10
I am in a 3 piece bass, guitar, drum lineup but we are all 3 also lead singers who harmonize very well too. I have not been in a band with somebody who just sings and does not play an instrument since 1983. I would rather have somebody who can contribute more.
 
#13
The guitarist and I ARE the singers for my band. Decided that lead singers weren't worth the trouble anymore and since then it's been much better.

Unless your voice is truly awful, try singing. It's pretty fun, if challenging.

Currently we're thinking of trying to get a second guitarist who's also a woman who can sing, so we can do epic three part harmonies.
 
#14
We found ours through a local entertainment rag. He sings well enough, but drives us (collectively) nuts in other ways. Overly critical, nit picks things to death. We stay highly accurate to our (covers) music, but it's possible to practice songs right into the ground, and it ssems that's where he's trying to head us. We plan on making a change...soon.
 
#15
I was a singer (only) when I first started. I hated having nothing to do during solos.

A friend offered me a spot in a band if I would learn bass. Done.

Years later, I went looking for a job where I only had to play. No luck. Still howlin'. And trying to keep the groove at the same time...sometimes it's dicey.
 
#17
only singers i work with are either my guitarist/singer/brother, or usually teenagers that want to be a pop star and hire me to play on their recordings..

but if i needed a singer, the best place to look is college music departments. they all have tons of voice majors, and you'll be sure to find one whos a musician, and not someone who (like i said before) just wants to be a pop star..
 
#18
Zooberwerx said:
Our two guitarists cover the majority of the vocals but we're looking for a third lead to take some of the load. Been hit 'n miss on CraigsList. Tim (guitarist) also has a DJ / karaoke business and is able to tap into some of the local "undiscovered" talent.

Riis
Click to expand...

I wish my guitarists were good at singing. They really suck honestly, but they tell me I suck at singing, so I don't even try. Our drummer refuses to sing as well, so no dual instrument singing for our band =P
 

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