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Lead Singer/Guitarists vs Lead Singer/Bassists

#3
Perhaps it's because it's so unusual. There are LOTS of guitarists who sing, and few bassists who do. When I first started consuming music, I thought it was the norm that it was bassists who sang lead, but one of my older brothers quickly disabused me of that notion.

I also realize now that it's not very easy. Even from my own experience, I find it easier to play guitar and sing, though in my current playing situation I sing leads and play bass at the same time. Of course, my lines at times end up being simplified for it. It's a side-effect and happens to more than just me.
 
#4
aikakone said:
...it's not very easy....
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The "soul" in vocals and guitar comes from, in a large part, from its deviation from the actual beat, usually behind. Bass is 99.9% of the time on the beat, so playing on the beat and yet having that delayed soulful vocal is tough to pull off, while "slurring" the guitar and vocal together is very natural to do (while a bass player is staying on the beat for you so you can roam around it, btw).

A lot of bands with bassist/vocalists have very tight beats and vocals (think Rush). You'll almost never see a variety cover band with only a bass playing lead vocalist (not that they don't exist).
 
#5
I love the Bass/Vox thing. I was in a three piece where myself and the guitarist did equal vocal parts, but i have always loved the thought of doing lead vox and play bass.

However, i fear my playing would become simpler to compensate (hey, i'm no virtuoso here). Still though, some bands i like a heck of a lot have bass/singers:

Venom
Motorhead
Om
Big Business
Slayer
Reverend Bizzare


...however, I doub't any of these bassists would be on anyones "Top Bass Players" lists in regards to technique.
 
#7
DeluxeRed, that's a very awesome point you brought up. I'd not thought of that before, but of course it makes sense. I'll be thinking about it now as I play my various instruments and sing.

And if we have to offer up favorite singing bassists, I go for dUg of King's X. I was living in metro Houston the summer they got signed to Atlantic ('87, y'all). There was a big write-up about them in the Chronicle which I saved for a long time, and I've been following their career ever since.

I also have to give props to Richard Page from his Mr. Mister days. No matter what you think of him, he was my first bass influence, and he's got a lovely voice.
 
#9
I think its better to have the guitarist sing, because this allows the bassist to create a complex harmony. If the bassist sings, and the guitarist attempts to create a complex part, it could conflict with the melody of the vocals.
 
#14
Troy Sanders of Mastodon comes to mind as a great bassist/vocalist. It's hard to say that he is the lead though...Some songs he sings, some songs the lead guitarist sings, some times the drummer sings, occasionally all three of them are singing ((oblivion))...The rhythm guitarist has only ever done harmonies I think.

Whether that kind of music is your thing or not((some songs I like, others I'm indifferent about)), its hard to argue the talent in that band.
:bassist:
 
#15
Well, McCartney, Jack Bruce, Geddy, Lake, Wetton, Sting (early) ... are cool but so are Lennon, Harrison, Clapton, Hendrix, Cobain ...
They're all great musicans and they're all cool. Except maybe Sting ...
No offense to anybody but I don't buy into this resentment of guitar players I sometimes hear. I like guitar and guitar players. Some of my best friends are guitar players and I wouldn't play in a (rock) band without one.


MitchG said:
Is it just me or is there something naturally cooler about lead singers who play bass instead of guitar? :cool:

What do you think? :)
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#19
McCartney was the first to put a bass line in-line with melody... singin' and groovin'! And what a singing...

It is always interesting when you deal with the melody & bassline in the same head :)
I never realy liked singers who can't play any instrument... than again, can't understand the players who don't sing (and don't WANT to sing)... it's not that hard to do backing vocals, u just have to practice... and it makes you twice as usable (is this correct word?), making you a WANTED bass player, in any genre! AND looks cooler :)

If I could learn to play with my left hand (I'm righthanded), anyone can learn few backing vocals :)))
 
#20
KPAX said:
Well, McCartney, Jack Bruce, Geddy, Lake, Wetton, Sting (early) ... are cool but so are Lennon, Harrison, Clapton, Hendrix, Cobain ...
They're all great musicans and they're all cool. Except maybe Sting ...
No offense to anybody but I don't buy into this resentment of guitar players I sometimes hear. I like guitar and guitar players. Some of my best friends are guitar players and I wouldn't play in a (rock) band without one.
Click to expand...

Don't forget Joe Strummer :D
 

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