Practicing Playing and Singing?

[bassplayerdon]

How should I start to pratice to be able to sing, and play bass at the same time? Would singing along with scales be a good start? Then, move on to songs?
I don't intend on being a lead singer like Geddy Lee, but it would be nice to get to the point where singing and playing aren't an issue.

Thanks!

 

[Jim Campbell]

How should I start to pratice to be able to sing, and play bass at the same time? Would singing along with scales be a good start? Then, move on to songs?
I don't intend on being a lead singer like Geddy Lee, but it would be nice to get to the point where singing and playing aren't an issue.

Thanks!

start simply and slowly,with songs like folsom prison blues that have simple bass lines and familiar melodies........

 

[bassplayerdon]

start simply and slowly,with songs like folsom prison blues that have simple bass lines and familiar melodies........

Thanks for your reply, and advice! I guess the key is first getting the bass part down cold, before trying to sing along!

 

[MarcusPocus]

Stand in front of a mic during rehearsals. Sing backup then a few songs. It'll come.

 

[jefkritz]

start with simple songs. start at slow tempos, and speed up when you can handle the slow speed.

if a part gives me extra trouble, i find that it helps to break down where the bass line notes fall in relation to the vocal melody.

 

[4001]

Learn both the bass part and vocals seperately. Learn them inside and out. Start working on the parts you can sing and play together and then break the song into sections. Find the toughest part (or what you think is the toughest) of the tune and drill on it until you start beginning to put them together. When you stumble, stop there and find out what is holding you up. Usually a countermelody will make you trip up. That is where you start learning how to seperate the two.
Learn the vocal part first.
You can always ad lib the bass line at first.
You want to make sure the vocals are sung right, or the tune becomes an instrumental.

I have no idea how to explain this.
I am always workig on this and getting better all the time. It just takes some serious practice.

 

[ZachM]

As everyone else said, slow is the key. Just don't ever speed up until you get comfortable, you'll become more and more comfortable as you go along. Eventually, the groove will start to feel really strong while you do it - there'll be a feeling of things being "interlocked." I almost feel naked when I'm not singing now!

Also, you need your bass playing to be on autopilot, so simpler music is much better initially. I'd suggest maybe learning some Tom Petty - this worked great for me initially because the vocals aren't too challenging and neither is the bass.

 

[pacojas]

start with simple songs. start at slow tempos, and speed up when you can handle the slow speed.

if a part gives me extra trouble, i find that it helps to break down where the bass line notes fall in relation to the vocal melody.

+1

i found that my left & right hands will remember the bass lines (muscle-memory) if i know the song very well. i also use specific fingering formations with neck locations so when i sing i sync the words with notes & phrases.
not sure if that makes sense so, YMMV. try not to think too much and it will eventually flow! it will be worth the effort, guarenteed. gl.

 

[superdick2112]

Learn both the bass part and vocals seperately. Learn them inside and out. Start working on the parts you can sing and play together and then break the song into sections.

+1

We play a few Rush covers, and I learn my 3 - 4 parts separately. I'll work on the bass line first, the Taurus part second, the keys (if any) third, and the vocals last. Repitition of each individual part eventually makes everything come together, but some songs are easier (for me, anyway) than others. Spirit of Radio & Limelight were the easiest, Freewill a bit harder, Tom Sawyer even more, and so on.

 

[bassplayerdon]

Thanks everyone for your advice! This is definitely something I'm going to work on. I figure over time I should get the hang of it. I'll pick some easier songs to start with, and use the methods you guys suggested. I may just start with trying background vocals frist, and then trying lead after I'm comfortable.

 

[zachoff]

Start w/ easy songs like U2 - With or Without You and then move on to Blink 182 - Damnit. (same chord progression, different words). From that point I'd actually pick up an acoustic guitar and try to sing/play some Nirvana or Dylan or Neil Young. That's how I started, anyway.

Getting the changes is how you'll get it though. Emphasize those changes by singing louder/harder when you change a note on the bass and you'll get it.

 

[zachoff]

As far as getting one thing down before the other... I disagree.

You want to know when things "change". If vocals go from a to b or bass goes from a to b then you want to make sure you're keying off of those changes. Changes matter and they're where you'll run into your biggest problems unless you know when they happen no matter which instrument you're 'focusing' on at the time.

Sometimes bass is harder and sometimes vocals are harder & you have to know when either are the case and focus on the hard part.

 

[mambo4]

my usuals resposne:

I think the primary obstacle to playing bass while singing is rhythmic:
You have to be able to execute 2 rhythms at once, the the bass part and the vocal line.

My favorite trick to deal with it is to put the bass down, and practice clapping the rhythm of the bass part while singing the vocal part.
Do it slowly and accurately at first.
Notice the spots where the vocal line matches up with the bass line
Pay special attention the spots where the vocals fall 'in between' the bass notes.

I have found that once I can clap the bass rhythm accurately while singing, It's pretty easy to grab the bass and play for real.

Actually singing well is another story....

 

[4001]

+1

We play a few Rush covers, and I learn my 3 - 4 parts separately. I'll work on the bass line first, the Taurus part second, the keys (if any) third, and the vocals last. Repitition of each individual part eventually makes everything come together, but some songs are easier (for me, anyway) than others. Spirit of Radio & Limelight were the easiest, Freewill a bit harder, Tom Sawyer even more, and so on.

Try.. The Trees.

 

[HeadyVan Halen]

'Redemption Song'

A must learn for rookies

 

[PJMiDi]

I generally practice both separately until i can play/sing the song without thinking and then slowly piece it together.

(I think i saw this mentioned above so +1)

One song i found really easy to start on was "Dont Forget Me" by RHCP.

Edit: By "easy" I of course meant easier than most other songs. It's still not easy to learn for most of us

 

[frets4fun]

I had a tough time with this when I joined a band and started playing bass for the first time (I am a guitar guy and could sing fairly easily while playing guitar).

What worked for me:
In the privacy of your home,

1. get the basslines down first--at least to 75%.

2. play a part over and over and start "talking" the lyrics. Don't worry if you are off key or your playing is off-beat (in fact, at the beginning don't even use a metronome). You'll find that as you go over and over a part, things tighten-up and you can work more "singing" in.

3. Muscle memory and voice-bass independence eventually set-in. Before long, you are not thinking about the bass playing and can work purely on the vocal.

The first few songs you learn like this may take a little time, but learning new material eventually comes faster.

YMMV.

I recall being very challenged by U2's "New Year's Day".

 

[AFRO]

my usuals resposne:

I think the primary obstacle to playing bass while singing is rhythmic:
You have to be able to execute 2 rhythms at once, the the bass part and the vocal line.

My favorite trick to deal with it is to put the bass down, and practice clapping the rhythm of the bass part while singing the vocal part.
Do it slowly and accurately at first.
Notice the spots where the vocal line matches up with the bass line
Pay special attention the spots where the vocals fall 'in between' the bass notes.

I have found that once I can clap the bass rhythm accurately while singing, It's pretty easy to grab the bass and play for real.

Actually singing well is another story....

This is similar to what I used to do when I gigged heavy, and did b/ups and such..

instead of clapping I would tap out a rhythm with both hands; "snare" on one hand, and "kick" w/the other.. then try to have a normal conversation with someone.. (possibly band mate) or sing simple jingles like the ones in commercials. you can do this obviously with no bass; at any time, save for driving...

then when you are practicing songs that you need to play, incorperate this.

If you have access to a drum kit, all the better.. then do the same and play a beat (if you are able to maintain a drum beat that is) and sing the song lyrics, or try to talk..

Also song selection is a big issue, songs with simple progressions and seady 8th-16 note beats are much easier -Greenday and the like- than songs that are "Musically Challenging" with several skips or chord changes..(like "The Police" Sting)

work toward the singing changes, while your bass line changes.. may help to do a generic sheet music kind of deal where you know which words go with the notes that change..if any at all

and Practice A LOT monn! you will thank yourself and it will be easier the more you do.
good luck bro.