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Should singers who front a band know chord progressions?

#23
I found out that people who dont play any instrument dont know meaning of the terms chord or key.
Singers often dont invest enough time and effort, they think that talent is all they need. I know many singers who dont have a mic, dont understand how to use a mixer etc.
 
#24
How do you know if a singer is at your front door? They can't find the key and they don't know when to come in :)

My experience is that in local, original rock bands they tend to go by ear. In fact finding guitarists who know more than the chord root can be tough. It's like they have a library of trial and error reflexes established.

I've also found myself in experienced company who can crush my limited theory knowledge.
 
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#25
Most singers don't know all of the details with the changes, but the knowledge of a tune's progression (I,IV,V, etc.) & knowing a workable key for your voice is certainly helpful if you are interested in freelance work- not so much if you are sticking with one group and within a musical comfort zone. When backing a singer many years ago (who asked to sit in during a jazz gig) we played an introduction and she proceeded to sing the entire tune a P4 off from our key- fortunately we modulated 9 bars in and it ended o.k. She had a nice voice, but she had no clue.

Should we, the bass players know the melody?
carry on
 
#27
Most of the singers I've known have not been aware of the key or chord progression if they're not also playing an instrument (and some not even then...). They've still been great singers.

The only exception I can think of wasn't from a band per se, but the pastor of my church, who usually leads worship team music. He will often do his own arrangements and, even when he hasn't, is very conscious of the musical structure. I played guitar this morning and he caught that I was playing a regular A chord instead of an Asus on one tune. If I hadn't looked up what an Asus is quick he was about to rewrite the vocal harmonies to better match what I was playing.
 
#28
Pork_Chop said:
Is it normal for a dedicated singer in a band not to know chord progressions? I’m filling in this Friday for a band whose bassist moved away unexpectedly. The guitarist is in Brazil, not getting home until Thursday night and can’t be reached. I got the set list and asked the other two members (drummer, and singer) what the chord progressions were on a few of their songs. The drummer understandably didn’t know, but I assumed the singer would. When I asked her, she became kind of angry and said she didn't know. I thought a voice was considered an instrument.
This is my first time playing in a band with a dedicated singer. All the other bands I've been in were either instrumental, or one of us took care of the vocals.
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It's nice but it shouldn't be a requirement. There would be a lot of unemployed great musicians if they had to know chords.
 
#31
Thanks for the feedback. For some reason it took me aback when she didn't know. She's a good singer, so this has potential. I'm excited to be a part of this band in that it opens up musical avenues I haven't had the opportunity to explore. But, yes, it also has the potential to be a train wreck. I'll keep you all posted. Maybe, in the future, I'll be able to contribute to the "I Back a Hot Singer" thread. Wish me luck!
 
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#32
elgecko said:
I wonder how many bass players know the bassline/bass part but not the chord progression. o_O
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I was going to mention that. I know a lot of theory, yet as a bass player I play by feel a lot. I know there are several songs that I couldn't just reel off the chord progression (could figure out in seconds if I had to). However, if learning a new song I am generally the one that says to a guitarist "whatever chord you are playing there, play the minor/seventh/something a fourth up"

More pertinently. When I sing backing vocals, I wouldn't have a clue what notes I am singing. I generally lock in to the correct upper third with the singer but it is pure feel rather than knowledge of which part of the chord it is at that moment.
 
#34
A serious pro singer is a musician and will know their craft, music theory included. Karoke hacks that think they can sing will rock out in garage bands and be ignorant in their bliss. But that's the nice thing about music you can enjoy it no matter what level your at. Just don't have delusions of grandeur.
 
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#35
Heh. Well, I always try to. I'm just the singer in our band but my background in bass means I'm usually aware of what's going on around me both musically and rhythmically. I'm just crap at singing and playing at the same time, so being a better singer than bass player (currently!), I concentrate on that. I'm getting better at it, mind. This coming Saturday, our guitarist and I are doing a three song set at a friends birthday party with a borrowed drummer, where I'll have to sing and play "Purple Haze", "Route 66" and "All Along The Watchtower". Should be fun - I'd better get rehearsing. :-)
 
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#39
Of course they should, their voice is an instrument. You'd think it weird if a trumpet player showed up and didn't know anything technical about the songs you all intended to play, right?
I think that people who want to master their craft will learn the common language of music...by hook or by crook. It makes communication so much easier. Ever talk to a drummer? ..."Dude, I want you to do like 'jungle sounds' on the toms, and then be all bippity bippity pop on the snare, with a little chsh chsh chsh on the high-hat, can you do that?
 
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#40
mcarp555 said:
Do you really think Ella Fitzgerald or Kiri Te Kanawa could roll off the chord progressions to what they're singing?
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I don't know Kiri and have no idea what sort of intellectual relationship Ella had with her music, but if she didn't "know" (have words for) what she was doing, it certainly didn't matter. Intellectual understanding of music is not necessary to play or sing it well. I can sing baselines or scat over tunes I've heard once and never actually tried to play on bass. Given enough repetitions of the main chord progression, I can internalize it and sing something that sounds good and in key over it without necessarily being aware of what I'm doing. Someone like Ella Fitzgerald, with perfect pitch, a huge range, and a vast depth of experience probably could do this with ease and hit intervals I dare not attempt outside the comfort of my car (looking at you, #11).
 

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