What to do when your lead singer complains

[Robin Goud]

Hey guys,
I am new to the forum, but i have some questions and maybe others have the same.
I joined two guys who wanted to start a ska punk band, one is a drummer the other one is a singer with no band experience.
after making some songs we found a keyboard player and we where ready to gig and such, after the first gig we got a guitar player joining us. the new guys really get the feel and ideas we want to get trough. They follow my fills and ask a lot what to do.
But now, the singer is saying that my bass lines are to difficult to sing on, also he said that it is unfair for the other members. I wrote the music and instructed the new guys so they can play along and i do give them space to have a certain lead/percussive role. What can i do/say?


for a little bit of background information, he likes the new generation party ska punk and pop country whereas i listen to older generations rocksteady ska & 2tone. Also he is a virgin and i get all the chicks, is that a factor?

 

[ArtechnikA]

Welcome.

...he said that it is unfair for the other members

What does that even mean?
"Bass lines difficult to sing on?"
What does that mean?
(I suppose it might mean you're too loud in his mix...)
So you've got keys, you've got guitar - who is driving the melody - and why isn't it the singer ?
If you're the songwriter, is this 'your' project? Or is it a collaboration?

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you are the bandleader, you can decide. But I am not sure why the singer has ruled it is unfair to the others. As you said, he has no band experience. Perhaps it's time for a band discussion to talk about how EVERYONE feels about the arrangements, and if people think things can be improved.

 

[Robin Goud]

Welcome.


What does that even mean?
"Bass lines difficult to sing on?"
What does that mean?
(I suppose it might mean you're too loud in his mix...)
So you've got keys, you've got guitar - who is driving the melody - and why isn't it the singer ?
If you're the songwriter, is this 'your' project? Or is it a collaboration?

Well it surely is a collaboration, but when no one can make a decision at all i jump in start creating with the ideas everyone has. The thing i think it is, is that he see my playing as melodic interference, what for me is weird because i just play the chords on the beat, he has all the space to create melodies with it. But what can you say to an insecure singer idk? maybe playing root notes in chord progression but then we are stuck because a progression which should be ii iv V I VI turns into a, II IV V I VI,,,

 

[LBS-bass]

Well it surely is a collaboration, but when no one can make a decision at all i jump in start creating with the ideas everyone has. The thing i think it is, is that he see my playing as melodic interference, what for me is weird because i just play the chords on the beat, he has all the space to create melodies with it. But what can you say to an insecure singer idk? maybe playing root notes in chord progression but then we are stuck because a progression which should be ii iv V I VI turns into a, II IV V I VI,,,

Sounds like the singer has a crappy ear for music. A good singer can weave a melody around anything.

 

[Robin Goud]

If you are the bandleader, you can decide. But I am not sure why the singer has ruled it is unfair to the others. As you said, he has no band experience. Perhaps it's time for a band discussion to talk about how EVERYONE feels about the arrangements, and if people think things can be improved.

We talk a lot, there is no hierarchy settled, yet. Ofcourse, a good meeting should be applied. But still it is just a bit strange and i don't really know yet how to look at it, so some different perspectives are welcome.

 

[Robin Goud]

Sounds like the singer has a crappy ear for music. A good singer can weave a melody around anything.

Maybe the band should re-educate him with a broader palette of music?

 

[buldog5151bass]

We talk a lot, there is no hierarchy settled, yet. Ofcourse, a good meeting should be applied. But still it is just a bit strange and i don't really know yet how to look at it, so some different perspectives are welcome.

A band should be able to discuss anything related to the music in a respectful manner. I've always said, I'm willing to listen. I could be wrong (theoretically, at least).

 

[Robin Goud]

A band should be able to discuss anything related to the music in a respectful manner. I've always said, I'm willing to listen. I could be wrong (theoretically, at least).

Yeah, never sacrifice the music but always be reasonable.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Your,vocalist may be right - or not. All the more reason for everyone to talk freely.

 

[Robin Goud]

Your,vocalist may be right - or not. All the more reason for everyone to talk freely.

He could be, and we do talk freely. But concrete talk is also important otherwise you could give the wrong impression, and i am not really sure what he meant with what he said.

 

[lfmn16]

What to do when your lead singer complains

 

[buldog5151bass]

He could be, and we do talk freely. But concrete talk is also important otherwise you could give the wrong impression, and i am not really sure what he meant with what he said.

So sit down together and talk - not at rehearsal. Sit down over a pot of coffee or bottles of beer.

 

[arbiterusa]

"What to do when your lead singer complains"

NOTHING. You do nothing.

They always complain, about anything and everything, and if you spend your time trying to make them happy you will spend your entire life doing nothing but that.

 

[Daniel Piper]

Is he good enough to change what you are doing?

End of the day - if he is - compromise. An awesome singer, with minor foibles, is worth it.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

I would try to politely but firmly explain to the drummer that he should seek new employment.

 

[Last Rebel]

Hello Robin, and Yes welcome aboard to Talk Bass

... I'm surprised no one has said ..

" fire the drummer".




Stick around you will love this website

 

[Robin Goud]

Hello Robin, and Yes welcome aboard to Talk Bass

... I'm surprised no one has said ..

" fire the drummer"




Stick around you will love this website

nahh he is a okay, he even is a better singer for the genre too.

 

[Last Rebel]

Lol its just a little joke we sometimes throw in...

nahh he is a okay, he even is a better singer for the genre too.

 

[Robin Goud]

Lol its just a little joke we sometimes throw in...

i reallt get that, but maybe i wasn't