What Are Your Reasons For Not Singing While Playing?

[getrhythm]

If I could do it more, I would but I find it incredibly difficult. It messes up my bass lines terribly.
And I have a good ear for harmony too.

 

[P. Aaron]

I used to have really good rock-oriented backing vocal ability. Sometime after chemo in 2010-2013, it became difficult. I can't even really talk over barroom noise these days w/o it straining my vocal cords.

Yeah, it sux.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

I sing with my fingers.

 

[jerry]

Having an awful voice made my choice easy.

 

[Bob_Ross]

As I wrote elsewhere on TB:

When I first started playing bass in 1974 I also sang. Wound up being lead singer in a few bands, and at least contributed background vocals in the others...all the way up until 1989.
And then something happened that year, and for inexplicable reasons I completely lost my ability to sing and play simultaneously.
If there had been a significant event -- e.g., a car accident, a concussion, some trauma -- that precipitated this I would fully understand. But there wasn't. It was like I woke up one day, went to rehearsal, they asked me if I could chime in on the chorus, and my brain/hands just said "ah, nope, not happening."

I still sing in the studio -- in fact, there are a couple of producers I've worked with over the years who still hire me as a session singer...there's no accounting for taste.
But for the past ~30 years when I'm playing bass and someone asks if I can also sing I politely decline.

 

[GretschWretch]

Because every time I try singing along with YouTube videos, my cat rushes into the room like she thinks I'm in pain.

 

[msb]

The minute I start someone usually yells …. SING IT YOKO !

 

[Egg250]

I love to sing. The reasons I won't are:

- No need because the lead and harmonies are already taken. In this case it lets me enjoy the groove.
- Song is too complicated or the syncopation is too tough to coordinate my fingers and mouth.

 

[rashrader]

I’m too busy chomping on carrots to do any singing.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

$hit voice?

 

[DrThumpenstein]

1. I’m a much better bassist than singer.
   
2. I have trouble keeping the groove when I sing. Thou shalt not disrupt the groove.

 

[Nev375]

Because when I sing people look at me as if they are witnessing a war crime and that causes me to feel insecure and awkward.

 

[Headless horse]

1.I can only sing.
2.I can only play bass.
3.Ican play bass and sing some back vocals.

I cannot sing solo and play bass together because it is too difficult for me.

 

[Mike Sorr]

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?

1) I’m a terrible singer. I don’t even sing in the shower.

2) I find it impossible to sing and play bass at the same time. I have a difficult enough time communicating on stage when I’m playing never mind singing a different melody than I’m playing.

 

[brianrost]

I only sing when the other vocalists sound as bad as I do

 

[Blake Bass]

I sing a lot on gigs but not in the mike, I just wasn’t given the gift of a good voice with a good range. So while I enjoy singing I’m afraid no one would enjoy hearing it.

 

[swarfrat]

IMO the bar to being a good singer is lower than being good at an instrument, and they payoff is much higher. I don't mean you need to be a virtuoso. But I'll never be a Victor Wooten or Eric Johnson. I'll never be Paul Rodgers either, but if you can sing on pitch and on time, you can still make a mark. I could spend every waking hour in the decades I think I have left polishing chops but... truth be told if Jimi Hendrix himself came on scene at 50 years old we'd have never heard of him, even if his entrance were as ground breaking as it was when he did - he'd have never gotten the opportunity.

But people appreciate and connect when you sing. Even if you have a shrill whiney voice - of which there are many famous examples (Plant/Lee/Rose/Scott all four have absolutely grating nails on chalkboard screechy rock n roll version of the hillbilly twang voices I absolutely can not stand. And they all left huge marks.) My instrument practice is more about the song and my ear nowdays. Not that it's pointless to work on chops, but the payout is usually higher elsewhere to spend that same time. But even that time is probably better spent on vocal work.

 

[Lo-E]

I sing harmonies in some of my bands. I prefer not to. Why? I suck at it. Why do I suck at it? I don’t practice it enough. Why don’t I practice it enough? I’m lazy.

Laziness aside, when there’s a part I need to learn I do the work and I learn it. If I can get away with not doing it, that’s the path I take every time.

I should really just knuckle down and practice singing and playing so it comes more easily to me but I don’t.

 

[Levent]

• Hideous voice
• Horrible intonation
• Low self esteem
• Not talented enough to do It anways

I probably would If I could to be honest, cheers

 

[DaveParker39]

I started taking voice lessons shortly before joining my current band. I sing the least of the non-drummers in the band, which frees me up for stage presence. But I love our four-part harmonies and the handful of songs I do a lead on.
Being a baritone, occasionally we will get a request (like a first dance at a wedding) that is a big pressure singing situation. I love it and hate it simultaneously.