Are you a bass player that sings or a singer that plays bass?

[Steve Keele]

I'm been in a band for over 10 years where we have a great lead singer. Our keyboard player and drummer sing most of the back up. In this band I'm a bass player that occasionally sings back up.

About 2 1/2 years ago I joined a band where I share singing duties with the guitar player. I sing lead on half the songs and back up on the other half. When I started singing more, I noticed my voice got tired quickly, I didn't have much range and was frequently flat. I was quite embarrassed when looking at videos of my performance.

I decided to get some voice lessons. I started looking on the internet and I found someone with a singing course I believed would work for me. I bought it and started practicing. Now days I practice singing more than I practice bass playing. I consider myself more of a singer that plays bass. Anyone else?

 

[Droopy_TX]

I am a bass player who sings when the rhythm of the bass line doesn’t impede my ability to sing the vocal line.
Many times, that relegates me to backup vocalist.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I tried that once.
It was recorded.
I sound like Kermit the Frog.

No.

I don't play vocal music.
I.Do.Not.Sing.
No.

 

[Kro]

I consider myself a musician, who plays bass and sings.

 

[bholder]

I try to sing. I am a bass player. Big diff.

 

[Steve Keele]

I consider myself a musician, who plays bass and sings.

I like this. Excellent response

 

[Gorn]

I'm a player that sings bass.

 

[Groove Doctor]

What is the best bass for Singers?

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I don’t know if I qualify as a bass player or a singer, but I know I’m miles closer to being a bass player than being a singer.

 

[Slade N]

Since I play bass more than I sing, even when Im also the lead singer I think of myself as a singing bass player

 

[Killing Floor]

I think (I hope) when I sing lead I try to be more mindful of my voice than my bass. That doesn't mean I think I play poorly but I do make sure when I am singing my bass line is totally in hand so I don't have to think about it. I just think as a bassist, that more people will catch a vocal error.

 

[JimmyM]

Bassist who sings. I can sing some leads, I do really well with backups, but I have to pick my lead material carefully and can't just sing song after song.

 

[2112]

I'm a bassist and singer that can't do both simultaneously.

 

[BadSanta1281]

I'm not very good at either one but I can make a good bass-face.

 

[Funky Phantom]

I can sing a few songs, and play bass. But I don’t like my voice, and it’s not very fun.
If I have something to say, I’ll say it with my bass.

 

[Funky Phantom]

I'm not very good at either one but I can make a good bass-face.

That’s literally half the battle!

 

[zontar]

I'ma bass player that doesn't sing
or am I a non singer who plays bass?

 

[btmpancake]

Never no singing. We always had exceptional strong lead and B/G singers with amazingly tight harmonies in the R&B soul world. We focused on being a tight rhythm section because it was easy getting singers and there were many times when audience participation would be fun because they knew the song and the recorded right key to our popular covers. I really miss all those singers that were great and we just went along for a gravy ride.

 

[tyohars]

I'm a bass player who backup singer on occasion

 

[MakoMan]

I'm definitely a singer who plays bass. I sing 90% of our band's songs and sometimes I have to dumb the bass lines down a bit to be able to sing certain songs properly. I've also been known to use a capo on some tunes
I am at best mediocre on bass, which isn't terribly surprising as I started playing only in my 50s and have virtually no musical ability, other than the ability to keep time - the one thing I can actually do pretty well as a bassist. Otherwise everything I play is mechanical and I learn the songs note by note on the bass from tabs and chord charts. I could not play by ear if my life depended on it. I use a tablet when performing, not because I need it for the lyrics, but because I occasionally need to check the bass notes.
The funny thing is nobody seems to notice... not even other musicians. I get asked all the time to join other bands and get compliments on my bass playing from musicians with more talent in their little finger than I have in my entire body.