• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Singing and Playing

#41
topo morto said:
So, rather than thinking of it as two things at a time (singing while playing), doing 3 things (tapping, singing and playing) might be easier...

...well it works sometimes.
Click to expand...

Epic post, as per usual! "Sometimes". Haha. If your instructions are followed, you will pretty much know how to sing whilst playing the drums too (which by the way is 5 things at once). Funnily enough i find it easier to drum while singing than play bass. Something to do with practise & habit i spose, i've been drumming for 17yrs but only bassing off and on for about 3yrs.

There u go folks. The human body can be fine tuned to perform & multi-task on so many levels!!!!
 
#42
Logging the hours. As with many skills, there is simply no substitute.
Advice - find a groove that you are comofrtable singing over. Swinging 1/4 notes... Route 66, Pride and Joy... Get that tune down, then get others along the same lines Then add another groove... Country 1&5, Rhumba? Calypso ? Rinse, repeat as necessary..

Above all... Do not be afraid to suck. We all do ... Then we slowly get better. Hopefully we get to pick our spots along the way...
 
#44
skwee said:
Remember, you can ALWAYS simplify the instrumental part to keep the vocals in time.
Click to expand...

I actually do not think that is true. Unless you mean "stop playing entirely" there always has to be some fundamental groove in your bass part, and it may simply cut right against the vocal rhythm even when boiled down to its simplest possible articulation.

As a lead-singing bass player, I also do not subscribe to the theory of simplifying the bass part to make it easier to sing. It's a cop-out and it makes you weaker as a player. The head/hands/mouth coordination comes after mastery of all the individual parts, so if you're struggling PRACTICE MORE but don't PRACTICE WRONG. I do not recommend practicing WRONG to get better. All you're doing is hobbling yourself and making further progress impossible.
 
#47
Many have said learn the bass part first. I agree. Some stuff like country music w/a two beat is pretty easy. The reggae parts I must play while singing lead are another thing altogether. When learning a part it helps to identify the exact note or rest in the bass line where the vocal starts. That seems to be the most confusing thing about a new song. It does get easier with practice and lately I've been using a drum machine. It seems to speed up the process.
 
#49
In an odd twist, eventually it ceases to be two things and becomes one thing. This makes it very difficult to record bass parts correctly without singing my part. So, I'm in the control room most of the time. I love it in there & since I'm the lead singer I never look at the drummer on stage anyway.
 
#51
Lobster11 said:
I've heard some people say that they find it easier to sing while playing pickstyle than fingerstyle. Anyone else find this to be true?
Click to expand...

No, it depends on how good you are at the technique. I do both, and I'm returning to the pick after about 15 years because I bought a Bass VI and I pretty much have to play it with a pick. To get ready, I practiced.
 
#52
Personally, I just play and sing, that's it.
I learn the bass part well, so I don't have to think about it.
Then I learn the vocal part well (melody and lyrics) so that I don't have to think about it.
Then I start doing them at the same time.
Now, I'm not saying that it comes out perfect the first or even the 10th time. But I just keep doing it over and over again until I nail it. Pick of fingers, it makes no difference.

I'm also of the mind that I don't like to simplify the bass line just because I'm singing.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back