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What Are Your Reasons For Not Singing While Playing?

I’m not a strong vocalist. I wish I was because I enjoy singing. It’s just best that I don’t.

When I went back to college as an adult I signed up for a chorus class. I thought that would be my ticket to a better voice. Surely I’d get some coaching that would carry over to singing my favorite songs. After the first day of class the instructor asked me to stay behind to work at the piano with another student. After a while the instructor said something along the lines of “That was fascinating. I’ve never heard anyone with such a narrow vocal range. I’d recommend you find another class that you’d be interested in.” I dropped chorus.
 
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I've never personally witnessed anyone who couldn't, learn to.

it's typically something some can do and some can't do.

I've never had a problem.

Not saying I'm a great singer, but decent. :)
Oldish rehearsal recording, no tracks, just one mic in the room and hit it to save our arrangement.

Mellowed out version of "Don't Let The Sun"

Sounds like the guitar lead was made on the spot, but that's okay, it's not for others' ears. :D

Me playing my totally-made-up bass line and singing lead, main singer doing backups.

 
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i love to sing, and i love to play the bass. i prefer to do one or the other as to immerse myself in whichever i do, which gives me so much more satisfaction. also when playing bass, i like to wander around the stage and do some of my stage moves, while when singing leads, i feel the need to present in a more front-facing way.
 
I could sing back in my teens, but now, in my later 40's, I can sing about as well as I can skateboard. In either situation, I'm sure I'd injure myself.
Anyway, last time I tried to sing and play, I either started singing the bassline or started playing the vocals on the bass.
 
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?
Same reason I don't play bass and drums at the same time. I'm a bass player, not a singer (nor a drummer). I've toyed with singing and playing, but until I have a good reason to, it's going to be hard to dedicate the time to really master it.
 
Singing and playing bass has gotten me gigs over a lot better bass players who don’t sing. I’m not a great lead singer but I can sing some good leads if I choose my songs well, and I’m quite good at harmonies. If I have trouble singing and playing a song, I either work it out or I don’t sing on that song. 99% of the time I work it out. That’s why I get the slightly better than average bucks ;)
 
I'm the primary backing vocalist in my band. Honestly, I wish I wasn't, but I'm pretty decent at harmonies, and my voice seems to gel really well with our singer.

I don't actually mind singing while playing in general, but I dislike being glued to the mic stand for many sections of almost every song, and not being able to move around freely.
 
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While I've experienced some of your argument about singing while playing diluting your playing (I also believe it dilutes the singing).

My stipulation is: I can't sing harmonies. I've never been able to sing harmonies reliably. I just can't. I guess my ear just gravitates toward the melody.

I have/can/will sing leads or back-up vocals which are unison; not harmonies.

I guess it comes from some of my bass influences, when I first started who also sang (and my being the singer in my band); one of the main ones being Geddy Lee.
 
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) bad sounds come out when i open my face :)