You can usually find karaoke arrangements on YouTube. I use these to practice vocals sometimes, but you have to close your eyes or look away because the words are on the screen.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Vocalist not learning lyrics
- Thread starter gotly
- Start date
The singer/frontman in my band uses nothing for reference. 40-ish songs per gig from repertoire of around 70. We only play once or twice a month. He flubs a line occasionally, but maintains total immersion with the audience. So it can be, and is being done.
Most people in this thread object to prompts because they aren't aware of how often pros use them and they errantly believe that the professional way is to memorize everything. It's more accurate to suggest that high level shows have too much at stake to leave anything to chance; you are much more likely to have prompters on the floor in that setting than not.
The pros use them a lot, but they've also gotten good at doing it in a way that nobody really notices. It's not the prompts that are an issue, it's the delivery.
Last edited:
I also memorize all my lyrics. I have to, because I can't see well enough to use a tablet and am not on stages large enough to have a big prompter. It can be done, but for many it's above and beyond the practical call of duty on the effort to reward ratio. Again, I don't have a problem as long as it doesn't result in a stiff and wooden performance.
It's interesting to see how many people here don't know the difference between singing and performing. A front man who isn't performing is in front of a band that's going nowhere. A decent vocalist who can perform is better than a better vocalist who is singing to his ipad.
I despise laziness. Maybe during the time most vocalists spend avoiding load in/out they should work on the lyrics. Don't want to put in the work? Then step aside, go find something that you do want to do.
Someone commented that you can tell the bassists who don't sing because they oppose reading off the iPad. Wrong. In two concurrent bands I have about 140 songs. I know the lyrics, and backing harmonies. I know the bass lines. I can do the drums, and for half of them I can do a passing job on lead guitar. Put in the work.
Lyrics are hands down the easiest part to learn, because you can work on it anywhere. The car, taking a walk, in the shower, whatever. Put in the work.
I despise laziness. Maybe during the time most vocalists spend avoiding load in/out they should work on the lyrics. Don't want to put in the work? Then step aside, go find something that you do want to do.
Someone commented that you can tell the bassists who don't sing because they oppose reading off the iPad. Wrong. In two concurrent bands I have about 140 songs. I know the lyrics, and backing harmonies. I know the bass lines. I can do the drums, and for half of them I can do a passing job on lead guitar. Put in the work.
Lyrics are hands down the easiest part to learn, because you can work on it anywhere. The car, taking a walk, in the shower, whatever. Put in the work.
Funny story. One time I needed reminders for a few songs we just added, and had a "GREAT" idea: handwritten notes taped to my hotspot monitor; discreet, but close to my face so I could read the small print.... I thought. I've never had prescription glasses but do need readers for ...well, reading. Or, as I discovered for seeing notes on a small note paper ... in dim lighting. Lol, the notes were useless and I fumbled through the songs. Now anytime I need to do that it's 1/2" font on a sheet on the floor. Oops!
It's interesting to me to see how few people here have taken basic courses in public speaking. You are taught in these courses to use your notes in glances, to read ahead, and to make eye contact with your audience.
The same applies to stagecraft of any sort. People seem to object to using prompts because they don't know how it's done correctly and they don't even know they're seeing it done all the time.
Can some singers memorize a 4hr set and never need to peek at a cheat sheet? Sure. Can all do it? Nope.
Can some bassists play Addicted to that Rush by Mr. Big (Billy Sheehan bass)? Sure. Can all do it? Nope.
Can some bassists that clearly don't sing that much take yet another opportunity to slag on lead singers because they this delusion that somehow singing is a much simpler task than playing bass? Yep.
Can some bassists play Addicted to that Rush by Mr. Big (Billy Sheehan bass)? Sure. Can all do it? Nope.
Can some bassists that clearly don't sing that much take yet another opportunity to slag on lead singers because they this delusion that somehow singing is a much simpler task than playing bass? Yep.
[
Agree that it's the delivery.
I've got this issue going on with my current band doing rock & dance covers. Our singer has a borderline enormous voice, but I did quite the
at first when I saw her using a tablet for lyrics. I thought that maybe these songs were new for her, but she uses the tablet all the time.
Oddly enough, since I got in with these guys three or so years ago, I've seen a couple other local bands (cover crews like ourselves) with a singer using a tablet, too. Some manage it better than others. I guess that I don't mind it so much with other bands as long as that singer has a knack for "delivering" the song, but I keep finding that I'd rather be playing in a band that isn't doing what can feel like a sort of karaoke.
If our singer is too focused on "reading" and not "singing", that's when it's a little cringe-worthy for me. Lyrics can get out of sync with where they belong in the music. That's where we achieve true hacker status.
Unless a singer has that ability to really deliver the song while using a tablet - sing it and not just regurgitate it - I think that it can bring some significant limitations to an act. It's an issue for us.
On top of this, our lead guitar guy has a very average musical ear... and his tone can sometimes get ugly. I guess that's another topic for another thread, but it doesn't help with my overall tolerance for this situation. I'm keeping an eye out for another possible band, but still going along with this one for now. Don't want to leave these guys high and dry, but I'm really not enjoying it anymore. I'm also dreading the possibility of getting booked to play a bigger show at a more established venue where I think we'd be underwhelming... at best.
@gotly : Maybe I'm a bit further down the road in a situation that's similar to yours. I'd say be diplomatic with your encouragement and recommendations, but offer thoughts/ideas without being confrontational. You may have to live with it, but it also might not be a problem.
Agree that it's the delivery.
I've got this issue going on with my current band doing rock & dance covers. Our singer has a borderline enormous voice, but I did quite the
at first when I saw her using a tablet for lyrics. I thought that maybe these songs were new for her, but she uses the tablet all the time.Oddly enough, since I got in with these guys three or so years ago, I've seen a couple other local bands (cover crews like ourselves) with a singer using a tablet, too. Some manage it better than others. I guess that I don't mind it so much with other bands as long as that singer has a knack for "delivering" the song, but I keep finding that I'd rather be playing in a band that isn't doing what can feel like a sort of karaoke.
If our singer is too focused on "reading" and not "singing", that's when it's a little cringe-worthy for me. Lyrics can get out of sync with where they belong in the music. That's where we achieve true hacker status.
Unless a singer has that ability to really deliver the song while using a tablet - sing it and not just regurgitate it - I think that it can bring some significant limitations to an act. It's an issue for us.On top of this, our lead guitar guy has a very average musical ear... and his tone can sometimes get ugly. I guess that's another topic for another thread, but it doesn't help with my overall tolerance for this situation. I'm keeping an eye out for another possible band, but still going along with this one for now. Don't want to leave these guys high and dry, but I'm really not enjoying it anymore. I'm also dreading the possibility of getting booked to play a bigger show at a more established venue where I think we'd be underwhelming... at best.
@gotly : Maybe I'm a bit further down the road in a situation that's similar to yours. I'd say be diplomatic with your encouragement and recommendations, but offer thoughts/ideas without being confrontational. You may have to live with it, but it also might not be a problem.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Very true. I can't believe the number of teachers who are lousy public speakers, and the number of singers who have horrible microphone technique and/or poor musicianship/bad time.
Our lead singer has an iPad parked in front of her at all times. And she is very engaging and charismatic.
Stay in your lane.
Now either memorize that, or write it on a big-ass piece of paper and put it in front of you so you don't forget.
Last edited:
Sorry maybe I overgeneralized, I hope I didn't offend
It's funny that when I sing and play at the same time, I find it VERY hard to remember lyrics in the moment. It's not that I don't know the lyrics, it's just something in my brain short circuits while singing, playing, and actively listening. I'm almost always going to have the lyrics written down somewhere.
I can empathize. Was in a similar situation. For example, the singer didn't bother learning the lyrics to Guns-n-Roses song "Welcome to the Jungle". He just repeated the first verse for verses 2 and 3. He did that on some other songs as well. He wanted to get up in front of an audience but wouldn't put the time and effort into learning the material. He depended on his "charisma" and ability to tell blonde and breast jokes between songs. It worked well for him if the audience was drunk. It got to the point where I was embarrassed to be on stage with him.
A teleprompter hidden in a fake stage monitor might have helped. But he didn't pursue that.
A teleprompter hidden in a fake stage monitor might have helped. But he didn't pursue that.
Attachments
Last edited:
