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Why can't I sing and play at the same time???

#21
I'm very interested in this topic. As some have mentioned, it seems impossible to me at this point (just starting out with vocals - I guess it would help if I could sing better to start with... ;)

Regarding the tip about knowing you bass parts "cold" so that you don't have to think about them and can play them "mechanically", that certainly makes sense, but neither of those terms seem synonymous with "groove". Do those that do this feel that they sacrifice anything in their bass playing to be able to sing and play at the same time?
 
#26
jgroh said:
Slight derail, but singing while playing this is crazy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YnIvbDDvcc
Click to expand...

Agreed. Of course there are many, but Getty and Sting come to mind when I think of guys who sing and also play very well at the same time.

Oddly, I have an easier time playing double bass and singing than I do electric. I don't know if I will ever figure that one out.

As for the OP, it takes practice, and don't be afraid to dumb down your lines a bit to get the singing right. A simple line played well is always preferable to a more interesting failed attempt.

Chas
 
#28
It is very difficult because the bass rhythm and vocal rhythms can be very different. This is especially the case when the rhythms are very strong. A simple case in point is "Louie Louie". This is even hard for the rhythm guitar player to sing as the rhythm structure is so strong and different from the vocal line.

My respect for Jack Bruce went up 1000% when we started playing "Born under a bad sign" - the bass line is not only different from the vocal, but also staggered from the verse as well. Glad I don't have to sing it!

The only solution I have found is to practice the song until the bass part is automatic, so you can concentrate on the vocals.
 
#30
jgroh said:
I didnt watch the whole thing through but did the bass player sing lead on this like the clip I posted (oh and plays keys with his hands and feet too? lol) just kidding, just trying to show an extreme clip of playing while singing.
Click to expand...

Later in the clip the bassist sings against ridiculous counterpoint. Yeah, also plays guitar, keys percussion and violin -- all great.
 
#31
Interesting ideas here on how to get it down.
Can you play bass and talk at the same time?
Can you play bass and breath at the same time?
Relaxation is very important in getting it down.
Also the type of song you're trying to sing.
I'd suggest a simple 12-bar blues tune to start. Find a relaxed key like E, G or A. Play a 1/4 pattern (1,2,3,4) note just playing the root and eventually move it to a dotted 1/4 (&1,&2,&3,&4).
Then pick a simple vocal pattern like ZZ tops;
"She Don't Love Me But She Loves My Automobile." (all pretty much one note)
Then repeat it, repeat it, repeat it till it's so down it's impossible for you not to do it.
Then start playing different bass patterns against that same vocal line.
Ex; (1,8,7,5) or (1, 3, 5, 6) then start mixing up those bass patterns without thinking about it.
After the bass playing is so solid you then move onto a little harder vocal line.
And remember to breath in an easy relaxed way, in through the nose and out through the mouth, while you're doing all that.
 
#32
Just to add something: it really depends what you are trying to accomplish. If you are trying to play some sick Les Claypool stuff or Rush, then you may be trying to take on too much too soon.

However, as mentioned above, if you start with some blues or R&R, it is not so hard. You just have to try over and over. It also helps me to play any new song on guitar first and strum and sing. Once I can do it with the rhythm guitar, I can pretty much take on the bass line. If I can't even play it on acoustic with the right chords and beat, then it is a lost cause from the beginning.
 
#33
I've been doing it for 40 years so it seems pretty automatic now. All the advice given in this thread seems good, and focuses on practice until you break through. ...and then the technique begins to establish itself. The only thing I wanted to add is that sometimes the singing can go to autopilot while you focus on the bass line, rather than the other way around.

When I try to analyze what I now do by nature, that's what I discover, that I tend to switch my concentration back and forth between singing and playing. Learning how to switch between those 2 modes is where experience will lead to mastery, I guess.

...and you're never done. Yesterday somebody called out the Beatles "All My Lovin" w/me on harmony vocal and it's been a while... I'll admit I dropped the bass line once or twice before I finally put it all together after a few times through.
 
#34
I am reading this thread with great interest.

I have not made much progress but I had only been working on it on and off. Now I need to get it done.

I am considering some specialized exercises to "split the brain" or at least be more able to use also the "language/vocal side" of my brain (left) rather than solely the "bass side," (right). Exercises such as reading a newspaper article or short story aloud while playing.

Has anyone ever had success with such an approach? I know, practice, practice, practice. I used to do backup vocals and I remember there was barrier. After I crossed it, it became much easier to do vocals. That was a long time ago, ~25 years.

I know this might sound strange but I have noticed that I actually enjoy and often find myself watching television or video while playing live in clubs as well as making eye contact with the audience, moving, tapping foot, and grooving in general. I only dropped a part once (missed a solo) in the last few years while watching the screen at a live show. When the front man asked me about it, I said, I was watching the screen. He asked me what was on. I said there was a partially naked woman with large [ahem]. He laughed.

But I need to get it down quickly, now, for a new project.
I have absolutely no problem singing, just playing bass at the same time as many have noted.

There is a thread on this by jive1, lots of information there as well...


~
 
#35
kelleysdad said:
after a lot of practice, you will start to think in stereo. That is when it becomes fun.
Click to expand...

Perfect analogy!

Each "channel" of physical things that you do have a mental "device driver" brought to life by practice. Then you've got to get each channel to play effectively at the same time.

No practice? No device driver! Just like having no driver for a sound card on a PC.

Lots of practice in my future.:bassist:

Oddly enough, the only song I can sing and play is Manic Depression!
 
#38
This problem, IMHO, has little to do with talent, and a lot more to do with what's inside someone's head, and the mental blocks he may unknowlingly have there. Let me say this..I am only a decent player and singer, probably 5 on a scale of 1-10, and that's being polite, but I have never had a problem singing and playing at the same time. Maybe it has to do with how you learn. When I was learning to play a little bit of folk music back in the 60's..yes I'm that old..everyone that I came into contact sang while they played. I just accepted it as the norm and I started that way too. When I decided to pursue bass later I just kept on singing and playing. I only play country and bluegrass, and in some people's minds that's probably easier, but frankly I don't think I've ever run into anyone who couldn't play and sing at the same time, at least in my circles. And I have been to many festivals and concerts where playing was going on outside the main show. I guess I never thought it would ever be problem, and it never was. Maybe it's how you learn and who you learn with. And I have no idea how to attack the problem.
 
#39
I've been playing and singing for so long that I don't even remember how I started to do both at the same time .... I guess, sorta like Hammertime3, its just something I've always done.

Singing harmonies/backup isn't a bad way to start since it is a lot less pressure than doing the lead vocals. Especially if your band has other vocalists ... you really don't have to worry about your voice being critical to the song right now while you're getting comfortable with a dual role.

Speaking of that, you will see decidedly more gig opportunities if you sing. For years I only sang harmonies because I thought my voice was too weak for lead work, then one night the guy who did the vocals (and played sax) was feeling pretty sick and someone had to cover the vocals. I just started singing and have been doing so ever since .... :cool:
 
#40
I've been playing keys and singing for over 20 years.
It's always been relatively easy.

Playing the bass and singing is extremely difficult.

Other band members are always asking "why aren't you singing?".

After about 5 years of trying seriously, I'm just starting to get comfortable with it.

Relaxation is the key and that stereo brain thing.
You just gotta get it working.

I find I HAVE TO PUSH myself to do it, because I'm so in the groove...
 

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