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Should singers who front a band know chord progressions?
- Thread starter Pork_Chop
- Start date
It's been my experience that people will learn whatever minimum they need to get by. Singers the most because they've spent a lifetime singing in the shower and think that's enough ("talent", as was said above). However, people who attend music schools, even if majoring in voice, are generally required to learn theory and be proficient at reading notation. In choral work, singing "by ear" doesn't usually work too well, especially with new material.
I think the type of singers we're talking about here are pretty much in the amateur category, and not required to know much about the music they are performing. They learn by rote; sufficient for the limited demands of the typical band.
Having said all that, some hugely famous and talented singers "couldn't read a note"; The Beatles for example.
Tom
I think the type of singers we're talking about here are pretty much in the amateur category, and not required to know much about the music they are performing. They learn by rote; sufficient for the limited demands of the typical band.
Having said all that, some hugely famous and talented singers "couldn't read a note"; The Beatles for example.
Tom
The singer in one of my bands does. He's the best musician in it. It really helps as he often listens to the rest of us playing from out front and is a good judge of how the band sounds. His musical knowledge helps him to clearly state what sounds good or bad. It's a bit of an odd band with a real mix of ages and abilities so maybe not your usual set up.
I hope so. I know classical singer know what is going on, why on earth everyone else should have a free pass. I guess many of them aren't really sure if they sing the right note so whatever.
There are singers, and there are musicians who sing.
maybe not at first, but they should learn. Just like there are "ear" musicians who can't read, and don't know theory, they can get along only so far. I did a jam session for singers that really showed me how many hacks are out there - people that would bring in a sheet music piano chart (with the wrong chords, of course, and the chords above the staff printed in as tiny a typeface as could be), and start singing the tune in a different key and with a different arrangement, and come in at the wrong time (God help you if you stuck in an extra chorus for another solo) then get mad at us for not following them.
…and the other side of the equation-
I used to read those Want Ads in the music stores, ya know for a good laff or two...sometimes:
"Band looking for singer. Must have own PA"
I know very few lyrics to song I play. But I don't need to. It should be the same for singers and chord changes. Knowing the key is maybe a good thing. But really singers just need to know word, melody, and form.
How many jazz singers do you know that can name all the chord changes to the songs they sing?
for a long time , as band leader ( played keys/bass/trumpet/vocals ) I always made sure I had all the lead sheets for our songs ... lyrics/key/chords/tempo .... ya never know what might happen or when ...!!
but I've never play with a lead singer that didn't play some instrument a little bit ... therefore , they would normally at least know the Key ..!
but I've never play with a lead singer that didn't play some instrument a little bit ... therefore , they would normally at least know the Key ..!
I sang in a Jazz choral during my college degree en music ... we knew what we were doing. I expect others to know what they are doing too.
I would expect that Ella could name most if not all of the progressions she sang over. But then again, I would never call her a singer. She was a musician, and a very fine one at that.
While that may be true in an academic setting with orchestrated songs, I can tell you from experience that it's less so in a less formal, 'combo backing up a vocalist singing standards' setting.
The singer needs to be good at singing and stage presence.
If the singer happens to know all the chords progressions, that's cool, but it's not a necessity.
If the singer happens to know all the chords progressions, that's cool, but it's not a necessity.
then it is a sad sad sad thing. then how do you communicate with the singer ? If the singer didn't hit the right note on a specific mesure ... how do you make sure he/she knows ? you listen to the original recording ?
Unless they play a chordal instrument as well as sing, then no; they are not likely to know the chord progressions.
I play in 2 groups, 3 guitarists. If were to ask what the last two notes of that there riff are? The following would and has occurred
G 1 look at fretboard, long pause then the answer,
G 2 answer
G 3 I don't know the notes at all it's these frets on these strings
Singers? Good luck
G 1 look at fretboard, long pause then the answer,
G 2 answer
G 3 I don't know the notes at all it's these frets on these strings
Singers? Good luck
I've only worked with one singer who did know chords and keys, but he doesn't really count because he played guitar on a couple of songs. It was nice. The rest have been pretty useless and didn't know about chords or keys.
My strangest experience was with a singing drummer who not only knew the chords, but could also tell when I was barely out of tune. He was a fantastic musician, but because I was the only person in his band who wasn't family, I always felt out of place.
I'm currently playing in a trio with a singing drummer who has some piano background, so she usually knows what's up. That too has been a good thing.
My strangest experience was with a singing drummer who not only knew the chords, but could also tell when I was barely out of tune. He was a fantastic musician, but because I was the only person in his band who wasn't family, I always felt out of place.
I'm currently playing in a trio with a singing drummer who has some piano background, so she usually knows what's up. That too has been a good thing.
