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Singing and playing bass
- Thread starter Tevin
- Start date
i started singing and playing the scales together. (sing the names of the notes while playing them. (or just DO, RA, MI, etc)
You have to start very simple. Just play the simplest stuff you can sing well, and get it locked down.
I've done one or two songs with our band but it was a lot of work teaching myself just those two songs. Same when I sing any back-up vocal. Takes a ton of practice.
^ This for sure! +1
Also, when you start trying to sing while you more complicated stuff or walking bass patterns, definitely know your bass part note for note so that you can play it with your eyes closed. That way you don't have to "think" about playing the bass and singing will be much easier.
Got any examples that worked for you guys? I started really slowly (talking lyrics & playing really slowly) with this one:
Still, it's coming really slowly...did I mention really?
Any help would be appreciated...
Still, it's coming really slowly...did I mention really?
Any help would be appreciated...
One thing I did was start with trying to sing harmonies or backgrounds first. That way you're not having to sing a lot, but will do it smaller chunks. After you've been doing that a while add more and more singing.
Another thing that helped me was to start with simple stuff like AC/DC. Very easy to play...a lot of string riding for sure....and pretty simple lyrics. Gradually add more complicated bass parts (a few fills maybe, then a walking bass pattern, etc) and you should finally get it.
...and I'd add that learning the vocals inside out by rote is vital. You can't split your concentration too many ways or it is hopeless.
lots and lots of practice.
also, it gets easier the more you do it. i split lead vocals with my guitarist, and i play a lot of very syncopated parts.
one thing that helps me when i start trying to sing a new piece is i move through the song beat by beat and figure out where the bassline intersects the vocals. often, once you start singing a line, it's easier to keep going.
ie note 1, note 2, "it's", note 3 & "easy", "to", note 4, note 5 & "sing", etc
EDIT: it helps to know the part backwards and forwards, so you can go on autopilot while you figure out how to sing it.
also, it gets easier the more you do it. i split lead vocals with my guitarist, and i play a lot of very syncopated parts.
one thing that helps me when i start trying to sing a new piece is i move through the song beat by beat and figure out where the bassline intersects the vocals. often, once you start singing a line, it's easier to keep going.
ie note 1, note 2, "it's", note 3 & "easy", "to", note 4, note 5 & "sing", etc
EDIT: it helps to know the part backwards and forwards, so you can go on autopilot while you figure out how to sing it.
all good advice...i would stick to b/u vox while i warm into it but we don't have anyone that wants to sing lead :-(
thanks for the input...
thanks for the input...
just curious for those that sing...do you put the bass part on "auto-pilot" or the vocals...most seem to indicate that you need to avoid splitting your attention...what do you guys do?
I don't have the necessary music theory or jargon to correctly describe what's difficult about "Roxanne" or "Message In A Bottle" other than to say this - their basslines and vocals are all "offset" - making them harder to play/sing.
Other posts have spoken of the need to get the vocal line down, allowing you to concentrate on playing the bass. My personal experience (and I've sung lead vocals while bass playing for lots and lots of songs) is that you need to get the bass playing practised to the point of it being automatic, and concentrate on the singing!
But we're all different - it likely depends on where on the spectrum you sit:
singer<---------------------??------------------------->bass player
I know that's a classic TB response - "it depends...." but there you go! Singing and playing bass is, IMHO, highly rewarding so do persevere.
R
get a metronome, play everything at a slower speed and sing along... with the metronome you'll feel where the vocals intersect the bass line and when you need to come in singing or playing. this is what i do at least. hope it helps.
I'm the bass player/lead vocalist for two bands and I mainly play upright bass, so I have the added task of playing in tune.
I guess I put about 50/50 concentration into playing and singing. If I'm playing bass guitar and singing I put about 20% into the bass and 80% into singing. I tend not to practice much.... I'm lazy.... I just do it. Quite often I'll do a gig with no practice at all, just pull out a new song and do it. I cant really explain how I do it, I just do. I suppose I think more about getting the words right than anything else.
I think the Police stuff would be difficult, in fact some live concert footage sees Sting playing lines that are rhythmically more simple than the recordings. Same with McCartney.
Just keep hammering away at it, it will come.
I guess I put about 50/50 concentration into playing and singing. If I'm playing bass guitar and singing I put about 20% into the bass and 80% into singing. I tend not to practice much.... I'm lazy.... I just do it. Quite often I'll do a gig with no practice at all, just pull out a new song and do it. I cant really explain how I do it, I just do. I suppose I think more about getting the words right than anything else.
I think the Police stuff would be difficult, in fact some live concert footage sees Sting playing lines that are rhythmically more simple than the recordings. Same with McCartney.
Just keep hammering away at it, it will come.
Learn to hit the notes without a bass, then go pick up the bass. If you can't hit them consistently without playing along, you'll never manage the two together. I have to do backing vocals in my band and I find it's just about locking down the bassline in your subconscious and focusing on the vocal line.
The really difficult one is a ska piece with an improvised walking bass fill every other bar and fairly tough vocal lines coming in over the top of it.
The really difficult one is a ska piece with an improvised walking bass fill every other bar and fairly tough vocal lines coming in over the top of it.
