Switching from choral singing to lead duties

[LotusCarsLtd52]

Since I could possibly have tendonitis/tendonosis and I worry about losing the ability to play bass I've decided to look at contingency plans including doing lead vocals for my band.

I have tons of experience doing choir as a baritone but I've never done solo work, let alone "popular" vocals. I can sing chant, polyphony, spirituals, etc. but I've never tried rock vocals. If I were to try I'd probably want to do vocals in a similiar vein as David Gahan (softer singing styles).

How can I make this kind of "switch"? While the fundamentals are the same the technique and methods behind both are very different IMO.

 

[MrDOS]

I have done both, and it sure is different. Get to know a song *really* well, and gig it with the band, then repeat!

 

[Marton]

Learn the technique, practice a lot, and have fun !

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Since I could possibly have tendonitis/tendonosis and I worry about losing the ability to play bass I've decided to look at contingency plans including doing lead vocals for my band.

I have tons of experience doing choir as a baritone but I've never done solo work, let alone "popular" vocals. I can sing chant, polyphony, spirituals, etc. but I've never tried rock vocals. If I were to try I'd probably want to do vocals in a similiar vein as David Gahan (softer singing styles).

How can I make this kind of "switch"? While the fundamentals are the same the technique and methods behind both are very different IMO.

I am a bassist. Choral singer. Rock/pop/jazz Singer. Harmony singer. Lead singer. I think there some important aspects to consider and expand on, perhaps far too many for one post but among them are:
-The notion of having different tones appropriate for different styles of music.
-The notion of microphones and mic technique.
-The notion of rock/pop/jazz songs not specifically written for ranges of singers, but by specific singers/vocal endurance/pacing.
-The notions of rock/pop/jazz singing environment -vs- choral environment (smoke, background noise, alcohol, etc...)
-The notions of self/vocal awareness and vocal health being challenged more in a rock/pop/jazz environment than classical environment.

 

[Raymeous]

Vocal health +1

Not too long ago I went and watched my friend do a vocal recital as her final exam for her degree. The material was more designed for complex key changes than any kind of memorable songs and it was some really difficult stuff. The worse part was that she had a really bad cold bordering on bronchial infection and had been sick in bed the week before. I know she was hurting but she did well over all and pulled it off (with quite a few breaks).

Health becomes a much bigger issue for singers than any other member of the band. A guitarist or bass player can play with sore fingers, but for vocals its another thing all together. Good luck man.


As for your concern of whether or not a classically trained singer can go into the rock world I have a few examples:

Probably the best known is Queensryche. So here's "Della Brown". BTW this is one of my favorite underrated bass players; Eddie Jackson.