• 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.

What Are Your Reasons For Not Singing While Playing?

mrjim123

mrjim123

Supporting Member
May 17, 2008
4,453
11,011
Indy
Disclosures
Magnetically Aligned
#1
I used to do some singing while playing bass in different rock bands in the 1970's, then I retired from gigging for 28 years. When I returned to gigging in 2008 I made a decision to do no singing, and I've had no problem finding jobs in bands that already have enough vocal firepower. My reasons for not singing are:

1. I consider myself to be a better bassist than singer, and I choose to not dilute my brand by singing.

2. I find some songs difficult to play and sing simultaneously, and I'm not about to dumb down my playing just so I can sing.

3. I don't have to tote a mic stand.

I know that good vocals are hard to come by, but, honestly, I hear a lot of instrumentalists who also sing who I wish would simply stop singing, even if it means that the band does more instrumentals.

So, if you play but don't sing, what is your reason for doing so?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Btbp, Roxbororob, teh-slb and 5 others
#6
In a previous cover band, we started off with me doing backup vocals only (when the bassline allowed) as we had a dedicated lead vocalist. That vocalist left. We replaced him. Then that guy left. Then the band "promoted" me to lead vocals. It kept us from gigging for months as I had to more or less relearn every song. I had to simplify some bass lines because I simply could NOT get it down while singing lead vocals. There were some songs that entirely got cut from the sets as well because simplifying the bass lines was not an option as they were an integral part of the sound of the song. When that band came to an end, I swore I would never sing lead again because of the experience I had doing it. Sure, it was fun while it lasted, but I really missed being able to focus my attention on holding the rhythm, sitting in the pocket and just grooving.

I don't mind throwing in some backup vocals when I can, but I would much rather just groove. I have told the prog metal band I play with not to even bother putting a mic in front of me, I won't use it...not for that music. For the cover band I am in, I have a mic, and will do some backup when it doesn't interfere with the three part harmonies that the keyboardist and two female vocalists do. I have specifically been asked to NOT sing on "Seven Bridges Road" because I have never been formally trained on how to "sing parts". I just sing, and whatever comes out of my mouth is what you get. As the other three vocalist know how to sing parts, it is best for me to just sit out a bit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EddiePlaysBass, Freddy T, Artman and 1 other person
#10
Whether I sing or not depends on the band. I love to sing, and I need to sing in order to keep my voice in shape. I am a singer first and a bassist second. But lately I'm tired of not being given any leads to sing due to the fragile egos of lead singers who don't want anyone to show them up. So in those bands I am pulling back from the mic, for a couple of reasons.

1) it's two jobs, and I'm tired of having to learn basslines and lyrics when I only get paid the same as the people who are only doing one job. Also agree about not having to tote a stand and mic.

2) it'll be easier for them to replace me if they're not depending on me to do backup vocals, and replace me they will because I'll be looking for better opportunities to do everything I would like to do.

With that said, it's not hard to keep me in the game for doing harmonies. You just have to throw me a bone or two and let me step up and show the world that I'm not just a bassist every now and then. It's not a huge ask.

I'm not getting any younger and I'd prefer not to go to my grave without having the opportunity to do that again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Btbp, mrjim123, HolmeBass and 2 others
#11
I sing just well enough to be able to help on backing VOX. I'd rather focus on bass, but will do what I can to support the band. Sometimes I'm the primary backup voice, sometimes, just the third or fourth voice. In some cases, I can't do both and side on the bass lines. While I'd prefer to ditch the responsibility for many reasons, doing backing vox does keep some songs somewhat tolerable.

If I were to refuse to sing, my reason would be that I'd rather focus on the bass lines.
 
#12
When BVs from me are not called for, I'm perfectly happy to leave that mic stand in the truck. One less cable, one less signal to futz around with on the mixer - I'm all about that.
But, when it does come in handy, it comes in really handy. Rare is the project where we can afford to hire someone just to sing background. (When we do, they're usually better than me for the occasional lead vocal - and better looking...)
 
#15
BlueRock said:
Weird thing is when I finally got some vocal coaching and put in some time practicing not only could I sing well enough but my bass lines supporting vocal parts improved a ton.
Click to expand...
This makes some sense, you're paying more attention to the vocal part (which is the most important part of the song in general), and how your bass part supports or fits in with it.

I just struggle with the independence of doing two things at once. Same reason I don't do great on piano and drums, although I play all of the other band instruments when I teach.

If the bass line is straightforward then I usually can help, and that's really all I want to do is help (not lead). I have been lucky to be in bands where there are plenty of great singers for lead and backup, so I only really try it when another part is needed.
 
#18
PotsdamBass8 said:
I just struggle with the independence of doing two things at once. Same reason I don't do great on piano and drums, although I play all of the other band instruments when I teach.
Click to expand...
It's an acquired skill. I liken it to trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time. Try it, if you never have. You'll generally find yourself either patting both or rubbing both.

There's a mental connection that has to happen with repeated effort to develop limb independence. If you keep trying you will eventually find that you can do it, and then with continued effort you will find that you can do it more easily. It's the same type of connection that's needed to sing and play together.

However once you reach that point you will still find that it's best to have both parts under your belt before you try to marry them together in a serious way. So what I usually do is attempt to do them together, then I'll refine the bass line until I'm happy with how I'm playing it, then refine the vocal until I'm happy with how I'm singing it, and then I will put the two together and work on tightening that up.

That's a bit of extra work, which is one reason I am becoming more reluctant to just offer it up for free anymore. But, having said that, I'm in the lucky position of having as much work as I want. For someone who is just starting out or trying to get into their first or next band, having (good) vocal ability is a huge advantage, so it's worth working on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dougjwray, Lostgallifreyan, Jen Jesse and 3 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back