Eight Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I might have finally found some people to play music with, but one small thing that concerns me is that I don't know if anyone is going to be singing. We're just intending to play simple things to start with but I was wondering if anyone had any good tips on how to follow where you are in a track without any vocals? Is it just a case of counting bars all the way through? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='Eight' post='782385' date='Mar 22 2010, 09:31 AM']I might have finally found some people to play music with, but one small thing that concerns me is that I don't know if anyone is going to be singing. We're just intending to play simple things to start with but I was wondering if anyone had any good tips on how to follow where you are in a track without any vocals? Is it just a case of counting bars all the way through? Cheers.[/quote] I personally find that if you listen to the tracks you're going to be playing enough you can get along by feeling your way around. Took me about a week to get it down but now I can play all of my band's songs with just the drummer. Guess you've just got to know the music- counting bars has never worked for me oddly enough, its like I'm thinking about the music too hard and not feeling it. IMO of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Ah maybe you're right. I can play 'you can't hurry love' with just a metronome but it's taken a long time to get to know the track that well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Practice makes perfect as everyone keeps telling me! Worstcomes to orse you still get some play time with other musicians and that's never a bad thing in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 It's probably not a good idea just listening to the singer because 9 times out of 10, he/she doesn't know what they're doing! Much better to be able to hear what the drums are doing and base it off that imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Well another option is to sort out samples and have the drummer play to a click.... Dont shoot me down here, a friend of mines band do this, and they have found it has opened up a whole world of creativity and interesting stuff that they couldnt have done with just a singer (or 3). Mind you the drummer plays to a click with no problems at all. Of course if its covers you're doing that probably isnt much help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray5 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Just a thought but is there a possibility you could take things along the lines of an instrumental outfit whereby someone plays the vocal melody (i.e, guitar, keyboards)? This should keep everyone on track a lot easier and would be more enjoyable than everyone playing a 'backing track' type of thing -- and counting bar after bar! Apologies if this is jumping the gun a bit but you didn't say what sort of line-up it will be. Check out whether a guitard or keybored player would be able to take on the lead part. You never know - you may not need a singer at all. Think of all the headaches the band could be spared in that department!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Are you sure that none of you can sing,or are at least willing to give it a try? Alternatively,one of you should be able to take the melody-usually the guitar or keys.... maybe even you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Stingray5' post='782551' date='Mar 22 2010, 03:29 PM']Apologies if this is jumping the gun a bit but you didn't say what sort of line-up it will be.[/quote] We don't know at this point - it's a pretty casual affair mainly just to get all of us over the hump of never having played with people. So far there's just a guitarist, a drummer and moi. But your melody suggestion did give me an idea. If I vary my fills/turnarounds/patterns etc. depending on their location in the tune then it might help me remember (for example) which verse I'm in. Edited March 22, 2010 by Eight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbird13 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 would it be an idea to all play along to a CD, do that a couple of times and then play all play without it . I remember doing that with a few bands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='Doddy' post='782555' date='Mar 22 2010, 03:46 PM']Are you sure that none of you can sing,or are at least willing to give it a try?[/quote] Not sure - I'm due to ask the question asap. But I'm trying to prepare for everything here - it's all a little scary when you've never done it before and are unsure of even your own abilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='thunderbird13' post='782557' date='Mar 22 2010, 03:55 PM']would it be an idea to all play along to a CD, do that a couple of times and then play all play without it . I remember doing that with a few bands[/quote] That could be cool to get rolling with - nice suggestion. Thank you. I'll pass that on as well and make sure I have some tech available for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 If all else fails,just jump in and have a go at singing yourself. The first time I ever took lead vocals was on a gig when someone requested a song that we could play,but only I knew all the words to.So I just did it and it went fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Hahaha I don't think I have much of a voice but the big problem there would be I just can not open my mouth and play at the same time. I am starting to work on that but it could be a while before I can even manage a few backing vocals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbass4k Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Embrace instrumentalism, just like a guitarist can be replaced by a distortion and an octave pedal, a singer can be replace be some nice melodies and expressive playing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='bobbass4k' post='782581' date='Mar 22 2010, 05:13 PM']Embrace instrumentalism, just like a guitarist can be replaced by a distortion and an octave pedal, a singer can be replace be some nice melodies and expressive playing[/quote] ... and some sharp suits, NHS Specs & a bit of interpretive dance: I find I rely on the vocals for cues - probably much more than I should. Try singing along in your head, I found this a great help when trying to remember the lengths of the changes in Led Zep's "Rock & Roll". Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.