Vocals and Bass

[Stranger Danger]

One problem is that sometimes the vocal rhythm and the bass rhythm don't always match up. This makes you try to split your attention, which usually doesn't work very well.

Hints to make it work? Start slow and work at it. The best situation is when you know either the vocal or bass part so well that you can go on automatic pilot and not think about it. You can then keep your attention on only one thing.

100% correct. There are no shortcuts either.

 

[scott sinner]

As others noted, it really tends to be more counterpoint than some other instruments like guitar. I started as a singer and had played guitar some, which I found easy as pie to sing with. When I started singing and playing bass, I found instantly that I could play simple bass lines and sing BUT it was messing up my singing in the sense of flow. I was hitting the right notes, I was on beat…but I was too on beat. That was the real learning curve for me. Playing the bass tight as hell with the drums, but letting the vocals ebb and flow more loosely, depending on the song of course. Getting bass parts more complex again wasnt even as hard.

but to echo every one else, it was just a lot of practice. I am to the point that I can push bass playing so semi conscious that Ill be at band practice, wanting to pause to discuss some nuance or change, and Ill be like….’drrn it, hands…stop, playing!’ Seriously, my hands can go on autopilot.

 

[Jogobass]

I tried that. Bass is a melodic instrument. I always end up singing the bass line or playing the singing line on the bass. I have mad respects for people who can separate the both. An experienced singer bassist once told me, you gotta do one of the two automatically. Like play the bassline automatically so you can focus on the singing line.

 

[bassliner50]

One problem is that sometimes the vocal rhythm and the bass rhythm don't always match up. This makes you try to split your attention, which usually doesn't work very well.

Hints to make it work? Start slow and work at it. The best situation is when you know either the vocal or bass part so well that you can go on automatic pilot and not think about it. You can then keep your attention on only one thing.

This is 100% correct!!!

 

[prowla]

I find that some things seem to be easy and others nigh-on impossible.
For me it's where there's a syncopated rhythm which opposes the vocals.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Jive 1's guide is still here. If you want to be a singing bass player, just about everything in this post will help you.

Bassist's Guide to Singing

 

[Barticus]

One of the reasons I switched to floating thumb technique (15+yrs ago), it made it easier to sing while playing. I was looking at Geddy and then Sting and wondering how they did it so fluidly and then realized, for me, using my thumb more like a pick made it easier to stay in rhythm.

Oddly enough singing/playing guitar now is difficult when I switch instruments because I’m so used to singing/playing bass... different muscle memory I guess

 

[2thAche]

IMO playing with a pick and singing is easier than fingerstyle and singing. It's almost like the middle finger on your right hand takes another chunk of brainpower. That and pick bass players tend to be more straightforward. Never thought I'd play bass with a pick but now I enjoy it when doing lead vocals on songs that were recorded with a bass picker. Less to think about.

 

[Benj-jammin]

As a bassist who can't sing for crap, it makes me appreciate guys like Geddy and Sting even more. I know Geddy isn't everyone's favorite vocalist, but gee-zuz, man...to have played killer chops, keys and the ability memorize all of the material when playing live...hats off to him. Sting has always been my favorite bassist/vocalist....enough said.

 

[skycruiser]

To me it is similar to some piano compositions with very different left and right hand rhythmic characteristics. You have to piece together in your mind how they fit together. I have never played drums but I'm sure they are experts at this, and with more body parts, hands, arms, legs and feet!

 

[NKBassman]

A friend of mine who is a great singer and multi-instrument player (guitar, bass, keys, mandolin) says by far bass is the hardest to sing and play (at least for him).

 

[GregT]

I also play guitar. I play bass with fingers or pick. Singing and playing bass is so much more natural and easy for me when I use a pick.

 

[klejst]

At first, I found it a little difficult to adapt to doing two things at once (I'm a guy ha ha). Although I only did background vocals, I found it to be easier and more natural the more I practiced at it. I also did find it easier too while I did sing my vocals to consistently look at my fret hand which I know some may shy away from but that may get better over time as well. I heard many say playing bass and singing is harder, I believe in the opposite and say playing guitar and singing...especially lead guitar.

 

[onda'bass]

I sang in college and did well, I pickup the bass and try them together……not so much

 

[WestyBassBob]

It’s because when you’re playing guitar your just strumming chords that more or less go with the melody line. However in Bass you are frequently playing a line that doesn’t match up with the vocals at all. Combine that with the fact that you are now responsible for maintaining perfect rhythm for the whole group and it’s just too much for most to do well.

 

[turf3]

 

[WestyBassBob]

That was great.

 

[lbbc]

I have always been the lead (and backing) singer of every band I've been in for over 47 years. I started playing bass 45 years ago and it was a bit of a struggle at first. As many people have mentioned...the rhythm of the bassline and the vocals don't necessarily "go together".

It's all a matter of practice. I started with the notion that I had to know the bassline so well that I could "play it in my sleep" (muscle memory, if you will). Then memorize the lyrics. Then put both together... slowly at first, then up to tempo. After a year or so, it became second nature. The key is to keep at it til it DOES become second nature!! Good luck!!

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I've done vocals in the past while playing acoustic guitar, no issues. Now, I am starting to do some vocals while playing bass and find it harder than I expected.

Any thoughts on why it would be harder with bass than with acoustic?

I struggle with the same. I sing the bass note!! I used to play keys in a church band, I did a little better.
Why? you may sing what you 'hear' . Acoustic or keys has 'all' the notes in the chord, where bass is just 1.
I had a bass friend who sang an alto part while she played bass. I asked her how could she do that, she said " I dont think about it' !

 

[Wasnex]

How do you do that? I've considered it, but if I bend much the roundwound coils separate and might ring too much, tuning drifts, etc.. Vibrato is just plain tough to do, so for me, after the attack, there's only legato fretting, then timing and speed of release, and sometimes slides. Maybe some damping at attack time but I find even that very difficult to control. Is there something else I could try?

It takes time and practice. Bends and vibrato are definitely doable, but I was mostly referring to controlling decay and note length. For muting you use both hands.