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How do you learn to sing and play bass at the same time?

#21
For me I found that it was all about mic placement. If I put the mic somewhere I didn't have to move my head much to sing into the mic I did a lot better.

Sound odd maybe but I could sing and play fine without I mic but once I had to get my neck out and my head way up I would be thing about to much crap to concentrate.

I just got the mic setup in a spot that fits to my body and posture better and all I have to do is simply look up a bit and boom go time.
 
#22
I like to put the mic up higher so that I force myself to look up and out at the audience rather than at the bass. That's always been tricky for me. Sometimes you gotta check to see where your fingers are if you slide up aways on the neck or make broad fret jumps. Learn to do this discretely with your peripheral vision, holding the neck a little bit out helps somewhat I think. That might be just me. Everyone kind of learns this stuff just by doing it more and more, it becomes innate. It took me a long time to get comfortable doing this, and I still have trouble from time to time.
 
#23
I would advise that you start with music you like and know really well. In a way, I was really lucky in that when I started practicing bass/vocals at around 14, my favorite bands were the Beatles and The Police. It was very natural for me. The tricky part is that, though from your own perspective it would be appealing to be equally proficient, you quickly realize that the singing is what most of the audience relates to. In the beginning, you may have to sacrifice a bit of bass awesomeness to really nail the vocal.
 
#24
My hat is off to all you guys... I have played in bands for over 30 years now, and the absolute first thing I tell a new band is I cannot sing, and you wouldn't want me to.. It hasn't been an issue.. Two reasons, Imagine the worst "American Idol" audition you ever heard.. I'm worse.. In addition I absolutely, positively, cannot multitask.. At ANYTHING! My wife has learned not to talk to me while I'm driving...
 
#25
Gotta focus on where the vocal note hits on the musical ones. I'm a rock/metal guy and in this genre, most sync up. There are some that do different melody lines, but I would say the majority of the vocal lines "sit" nicely on top or in the spaces of the music. I'm far from good at it, but I can do it. I find there are always a few lines I just go for it and hope I get 'em in the right place. I would suggest listening to someone who does it in the studio, then get a live recording and compare. You will notice how the vocalist will shorten or lengthen words/phrases to synch up with the played lines. You do get to the point where you can play the bass and listen to the other instruments while singing over 'top' of it.
 
#26
Broadbent said:
I would say you're on the right track by starting off slow, next thing is learn your bass part untill you don't even have to think about playing it, then you should be able to just sing over top f it.
Click to expand...

Basically, this: ^

And continue to challenge yourself in the duality of playing/singing. I always think it is interesting to sing the vocals of Bono, which are flowing and are phrased in such a way that do not observe bar lines and the downbeat, while also playing the bass lines of Adam Clayton which are often quite the opposite- almost hypnotic and very observant of downbeats and steady patterns. Or the singing and bass playing of one of my most influential musicial heros, Mark King of Level 42 always does nicely for a vocal/bass workout. Level 42's "Children Say" if done correctly on both the bass and vocals will keep you on your toes.
 
#28
Broadbent said:
I would say you're on the right track by starting off slow, next thing is learn your bass part untill you don't even have to think about playing it, then you should be able to just sing over top f it.
Click to expand...

Basically, this: ^

And continue to challenge yourself in the duality of playing/singing. I always think it is interesting to sing the vocals of Bono, which are flowing and are phrased in such a way that do not observe bar lines and the downbeat, while also playing the bass lines of Adam Clayton which are often quite the opposite- almost hypnotic and very observant of downbeats and steady patterns. Or the singing and bass playing of one of my most influential musicial heros, Mark King of Level 42 always does nicely for a vocal/bass workout. Level 42's "Children Say" if done correctly on both the bass and vocals will keep you on your toes.
U2:
 
#30
Many people have said to separate the two skills, or practice until one or both are automatic. I would agree in most cases. However, my band is working on a song right now with mixed meter. The chorus is two measure of 5/8 followed by one measure of 6/8, then another 5/8, repeat 4x. On top of this all three members are singing in different rhythms and melodies. It's quite chaotic, but when we nail it, it doesn't sound chaotic. Anyway, the only way I was able to reconcile my vocal part with the complicated bass riff was to associate when the pitch/word changes with the notes in the bass line. i.e. say this word when you play that F#, or change pitch with that C#. It's a dangerous way to do it, because it you mess up one part you mess up both, but for this one song it is the only way I can manage to do both.
 
#33
RFord04 said:
I've been trying to start singing and playing myself, but with quite a bit of difficulty. I've been trying to sing the harmonies to Interstate Long Song by Stone Temple Pilots, but the bass line during the chorus just screws up my concentration on the vocals every time.
Click to expand...

You'll get there. Continue to push yourself to do something just a little outside of what your current comfort zone is in terms of bass playing and singing. Just like playing bass, by itself: at some point in the beginning, you couldn't do it all, and (presumably) now you're much better than that. You didn't get better by continuing to do what you could already do.
 
#36
Hi, I play bass and sing lead vocals in a Jimi Hendrix and Cream covers band.

The key to this is (a) learning the bass line so that you can play it in your sleep, (b) practice and (c) having patient and understanding band mates. Oh, and did I mention practice?

When we decide to learn a new song I will learn the bass line at home and listen to the vocals over and over, but it is only at our weekly band rehearsal that I put the two together. When we first play a new song I always say 'this will sound terrible to start with', but my band mates don't mind. This is what rehearsal is for, and it is much better to make a hash of it at rehearsal than at a gig.

I find it helps to keep the bass line as simple as possible when you are singing; leave the fancy stuff for the guitar solos. Gradually you will become more confident and start playing the fancy stuff whilst you are singing. Some songs are easy but with some (Born Under a Bad Sign - still having trouble with that one!) it has taken me a long time to be able to play bass and sing at the same time to an acceptable standard. But with time and practice you will get there.
 
#37
Electrosphere said:
What are some good simple songs to start off with and work your way up?

Anything 80s to today.
Click to expand...

Try the 'Ten Summoners Tales' album by Sting. I used this way back when when I had to learn to sing and play.

simple, tasteful basslines (plus some not so simple ones!) and good vocal melodies. Learn the bass lines until you know them cold, then learn the words and start playing along. Start with Fields of Gold.
 
#38
I've been a singing bassist for years. The #1 very best investment you can make is to get yourself a vocal coach who can teach you the physicality behind singing (or if you're motivated you can research it on your own).

Just as in bass playing the more technical knowledge you have of your craft the stronger, more confident and generally better you'll be. You won't have to think about what you're doing as much which means your bass playing will suffer less.

Plus it will greatly help if you're playing a club with a less than stellar sound system, especially if you're playing with a loud band. I had some rocky shows before I got my act together vocally.

Aside from that internalizing rhythm is key. If you can write rhythms chart out the song and look at where the vocals line fits with the bass line. You can see where the two disciplines meet and separate musically.

Put on a slow 1/4 note click, choose a section of a song and play the rhythm with your plucking hand on your arm (leg, table, whatever). See where it fits with the click. Once you've got the rhythm cemented in your brain start humming the melody over it. I do it while I'm walking down the street using my steps as a metronome.
 
#39
I always thought I couldn't sing and play at the same time, but my current band required me to sing some short chorus lines for a multi part harmony. After a little work, that wasn't too bad - I did have to make sure the bass line was in muscle memory. I think I could probably build it up from here bit by bit.
 
#40
If you do it long enough it all becomes ONE thing again & it's hard to do one without doing the other. In the studio I have problems sometimes playing the bass part without singing my part. I'm so used to doing both that doing only one is difficult. I thought it was just me until I saw a Sting video documentary called "Sting In Tuscany" or something like that. He had an URB player who was going to play most of the show on bass. Sting tells the other guitarist to sing the lead part while Sting shows the bassist what to play on his Fender. After a couple of screw ups, Sting says " I can't play the bloody bass line without singing my part!" And I thought it was just me.
 

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