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The singing ugle part XVIIXXVI or whatever
Tue, 08/11/2009 - 12:57pm
Ah rats, our singer quit the band, once again. I really like the guy, except he'd drink my beer at practice and never return the favor.
At any rate, we're getting tired of auditioning screamers as most of them have that sort primadonna syndrome common to that position.
Now we've decided to take it upon ourselves to get 'er done and the guitarist has been making some good progress on vocals. For my part though, I actually bought a mic even, I figured I might be able to manage some backups or possibly cover different range stuff than what he does. I don't have a very good voice at all, but I figure the audience gets what they pay for on a free gig.....;)
The funny thing is that I find it easier to sing along with more complicated bass parts as I can play the melody and just follow along vocally. I can see how that works for Geddy and McArtney. Unfortunately, I can't remember lyrics for anything and always stumble on that. I realized that when I listen to music, I don't really pay much attention to the words.
This whole endeavor will take a lot of work I think and likely even more beer than usual. Maybe I'll get it down, maybe not.
Tue, 08/11/2009 - 2:07pm
#2
Hmmmm....how often do you rehearse / play shows?
Tue, 08/11/2009 - 5:10pm
#3
Dthraco;175986 wrote:
Hmmmm....how often do you rehearse / play shows?
Not much on either. We rehearse once or twice a week and haven't played any shows since the screamer quit.
Tue, 08/11/2009 - 6:31pm
#4
I'm pullin' for ya NWB. I give mad props to the double-duty Uglies. I would do it if I could but you'd have to hear me sing to really appreciate why I don't.
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 8:52am
#5
okay
here's how I do it most times
1) write down (or copy) the words for band rehersals and memorize while singing along with a tape/cd/whatever (works great in a car)
2) listen to the bass part and while woodshedding connect what words are sung at changes or during significant riffs even down to the syllables that are sung at each note (or rest)
3) finally, always practice the tune while singing and playing connecting the parts as you do
point is: it's not that tough once you get the hang of it
one tip is that for me it's easier to learn tunes written and sung by bassists
but I've never limited my scope to that
some tunes are easier than others
don't get frustrated by the tough ones
see it as a challenge that you can overcome
your skills will be far more marketable as a player if you can bring more than one aspect to the table
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 5:18am
#6
oldfclefer;176060 wrote:
okay
here's how I do it most times
1) write down (or copy) the words for band rehersals and memorize while singing along with a tape/cd/whatever (works great in a car)
2) listen to the bass part and while woodshedding connect what words are sung at changes or during significant riffs even down to the syllables that are sung at each note (or rest)
3) finally, always practice the tune while singing and playing connecting the parts as you do
point is: it's not that tough once you get the hang of it
one tip is that for me it's easier to learn tunes written and sung by bassists
but I've never limited my scope to that
some tunes are easier than others
don't get frustrated by the tough ones
see it as a challenge that you can overcome
your skills will be far more marketable as a player if you can bring more than one aspect to the table
Ron. You have an advantage over some of us here (me particularly) in the fact that you can actually sing. (anyone not heard his stuff should do themselves a favour).
So unless I can get me a new voicebox I'm out of that race.
(hey, the wife wants a tummy tuck, why can't I get a new box???)
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 11:39am
#7
silverSurfer;176143 wrote:
(hey, the wife wants a tummy tuck, why can't I get a new box???)
You know...'box' has another meaning too. Makes that statement rather funny.
ANYBODY can sing. I really believe that. You just have to learn how to do it.
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 12:14pm
#8
OFC's right about singing parts done by ulglies, it does seem much easier.
SS is right about OFC's singing. He's got an awesome voice!
I may well disprove you Taco!:p
I don't think I have a particularly good voice, but I feel I should at least give it a good try and find out what I can accomplish.
For now, I may print out the words in large font and tape them on the mic stand so that I don't get lost. We'll see what happens.
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 12:41pm
#9
NWBasser;176203 wrote:
OFC's right about singing parts done by ulglies, it does seem much easier.
SS is right about OFC's singing. He's got an awesome voice!
I may well disprove you Taco!:p
I don't think I have a particularly good voice, but I feel I should at least give it a good try and find out what I can accomplish.
For now, I may print out the words in large font and tape them on the mic stand so that I don't get lost. We'll see what happens.
Go buy this book:
Roger Love - Sing Like The Stars
It comes with a companion CD. Besides being GREAT stuff in the book, the CD has a 20 minute warm-up track for men. It's the last track. What it does is to teach you how to move from chest voice to head voice without straining. It takes a while to figure out exactly what your voice has to do to accomplish this, but you do figure it out.
I have sang to that warm-up CD for the past 2 months. Just about every day, on the way to work. After a month and a half of doing it I FINALLY had a breakthrough and found how to make Head voice, the right way. And now that I have started figuring that out, a whole new vocal world is available. I sing differently now.
the book is like $20, but totally worth it.
Sun, 08/16/2009 - 5:45pm
#10
Dthraco;176198 wrote:
You know...'box' has another meaning too. Makes that statement rather funny.
Really?
Sun, 08/16/2009 - 6:57pm
#11
silverSurfer;176478 wrote:
Really?
Box = Slang for vagina.
Sun, 08/16/2009 - 10:21pm
#12
Dthraco;176482 wrote:
Box = Slang for vagina.
No kidding!!
LMAO you're an easy windup, Darth - us Aussies aren't quite as far away from civilisation as you might think!!
Apologies for the hijack
Mon, 08/17/2009 - 9:52am
#13
silverSurfer;176496 wrote:
No kidding!!
LMAO you're an easy windup, Darth - us Aussies aren't quite as far away from civilisation as you might think!!
Apologies for the hijack
LOL...Well, the comment about your wife wanting work done, and then wanting a new box too...way too funny to pass up.
I would LOVE to spend some time in Australia. A couple years to really get to know the culture would be great.
Mon, 08/17/2009 - 5:14pm
#14
fair comment.
come to OZ - you'll have a blast
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 12:29am
#15
Dthraco;176198 wrote:
ANYBODY can sing. I really believe that. You just have to learn how to do it.
+1
Some singers may be more talented than others but if you practice you can get pretty good.
Hell Ozzy doesn't have a great singing voice but he has one of the most recognizable voices in rock and roll.
You'll get it no problem, it just takes time.
I never really started doing backups until my last band, and I took half the duties, and the guitar player took the other half, sometimes we'd even go three part.
Either way, I found it to be fun actually, it's great to belt out a line or two when you're rockin' the uglystick.
The only advice I can give is this, independence between voice and hands comes with practice. If you're having trouble singing and playing one part, play that part over and over and over again until you know the ins and outs of where the vocals start and begin...and then play it again.
Good luck, hombre.
www.myspace.com/djsannen
Well the times, they are a-changin'.