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Should singers who front a band know chord progressions?

#102
tonemachine said:
Great point. I DO know theory but I'd take an ear over theoretical knowledge any day, esp in a singer. Hopefully the naysayers will reconsider...or learn all of the melodies. Yeah, right.
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This isn't an "either or" question from the OP. Obviously, knowing the progressions vs. singing the melody would always result in people picking the ability to sing. However, should the singer be responsible for both items is the issue.
 
#103
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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Sarah Vaughan, Amy Winehouse and many others sure could. But as a generality, I think most mere mortal vocalists have little awareness of the "mechanics" of what they are doing. That said, it is still possible to make good music. Should your vocalist have become angry at your inquiry? Hell no! Try to get a song list and at least the keys and put together your own charts. (considerable prep work)..You'l be glad you did.
 
#106
monsterthompson said:
This isn't an "either or" question from the OP. Obviously, knowing the progressions vs. singing the melody would always result in people picking the ability to sing. However, should the singer be responsible for both items is the issue.
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Of all the judgment of "which is better/acceptable, why address me who merely tried to validate that both are okay.

I earlier answered the OP concisely (2nd page) but then the thread got autowatched and then the thread digressed to the usual judgment of "that which isn't me, is wrong." I replied to those who judged as did the guy I responded to.....and you judged that. It never ends.

My compliments on your username subtitle (or whatever it's called- eighth wonder thing- that's funny).
 
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#108
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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Are you talking about all of them letters?
 
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#109
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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The real problem is that a band who employs fill ins should have a set list with chord sheets. That makes me more wary than the singer not knowing chord progressions. Additionally, do they not have internet in Brazil? Can't you and the guitar player communicate through email?
 
#110
JimmyM said:
True, none of them could read music, but they all knew music and chord theory very well.
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I wouldn't go that far. Paul eventually learned to read music and became pretty accomplished, but even in 1980, John famously said he had no idea what an the aeolian cadence was, despite using it on their second record. Some people are just naturals.
 
#113
The train wreck isn't because the singer doesn't know the chords ... that's not what I was responding to at all. It's a potential trainwreck because the OP won't get the chords until the day before the gig (if the guitarist gets in on time!).
 
#114
avocado said:
I wouldn't go that far. Paul eventually learned to read music and became pretty accomplished, but even in 1980, John famously said he had no idea what an the aeolian cadence was, despite using it on their second record. Some people are just naturals.
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I really like this because I have always been of the opinion that music theory was simply a method for describing, defining, and communicating music.
Theory does not create music it simply documents it.
Music is an art born of the human spirit and has little to do with reason.
The best book ever written on art history cannot create a painting.
John Lennon, like many other great musical composers, was more of an artist than a musician.
Consider this... why are some people in music referred to as artists while others are referred to as musicians?
 
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#115
The best singers have at least an innate grasp of song structure and how degree of difficulty affects song choices.

I've backed up a local guy regularly over the years who has never nailed down how to count out measures in groups of four. He'll just hurtle head-long into a song, rarely waiting for an ideal spot, and the band is just stuck with it. Playing with him can be quite the high-wire act. Audiences love him, though.

Chords? You're joking, right?
 
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#118
I've only ever known one singer who didn't play an instrument who knew chord progressions but she had sung in choirs and could sing from a score. She was a pleasure to work with.

Our drummer is a pretty good singer and understands harmony but never has a clue what key he wants anything in. All we get is that the original is too low, ok, or too high for him, good job our guitarist and I are masters of transposition.

I don't think your average bar band singer/front person needs to know chord progressions just nail the songs and work the crowd. Knowing the key would be nice but not essential, I would rather that they learn the words, phrasing, and arrangement than the chord progression (which will probably mean squat to them anyway).
 
#120
I started playing piano when I was seven. I did need to know the chord structure and key, plus fingering, rhythm, dynamics and pedalling. I started singing choral music when I was twelve. I am 65 and still sing. I can read music, and have what I consider a good strong voice and a good ear for harmonies. In choral singing, there is absolutely no need for me to know what specific chord the singers or accompanists are playing at any given time. We are too busy thinking about timing, breath control, pitch, dynamics, enunciation, interpretation, and reading the notes to consider what the chords are. The composer took care of that for us.

And when I play bass, I do think of the chords. So yes, it's different for singers that don't play an insturment. Please, OP, accept that situation, and focus on band components which matter more.
 
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