Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Ok so, a few friends and I are wanting to start a band up, the guitarist and I have been working on stuff separately due to living conditions and etc, however the singer really doesn't do anything. For an example, the other day, I showed him some songs I've been working on lyric wise and he told me he doesn't know how he could make it work since he needs how it's going to sound vocal wise. I'm thinking to just find a different singer. Don't really want to do it since this guy is a childhood friend but I'm pretty serious about making it in the music industry. I honestly think he doesn't want to do this anymore. Any advice?

10kfists wrote:I'm pretty serious about making it in the music industry. Any advice?

IF you were to make that your "friend gauge", you'd be really lonely. Being ambitious and willing to pay your dues is rarer than you'd think.

Don't ruin your friendship. U2, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc were/are friends, ya know?

Let the guy know you expect a little more, and keep your eyes open for upward mobility if this doesn't work out.

"Starting a band" and "making it in the music industry" are pretty far apart. How about actually getting together for some practices to see what things sound like, how everyone interacts, first?
Sounds like your singer friend doesn't have aspirations for writing music/melodies - he wants someone to tell him what to sing, this may or may not be true when you actually start playing some songs together.

Oh believe me we have gotten together for some practice and everyone clicked for the most part. Its really just the singer that doesn't do anything lol. Like he can sing covers all day but when it comes to working on original stuff, I guess he expects us to do everything for him. I've told him once before this isn't how things work but it's a never ending cycle xD. Thanks for replying btw ^_^

10kfists wrote:Oh believe me we have gotten together for some practice and everyone clicked for the most part. Its really just the singer that doesn't do anything lol. Like he can sing covers all day but when it comes to working on original stuff, I guess he expects us to do everything for him. I've told him once before this isn't how things work but it's a never ending cycle xD. Thanks for replying btw ^_^

That's a bit more information than before...

It could be that he's just not creative. If he sings well enough, that shouldn't be a deal-killer if you're writing lyrics and melody for him.

Some people are visionary, and some are reactionary. Yes, it's always better when the singer is engaged in the creative process, so give him a little more time to catch on...but you'll probably go through a few more singers before you "make it in the music business".


Good luck with all that, bro.

If the guy has a killer voice, stage presence and pulls his own weight (pays for rehearsal space, microphones, cables, p.a.'s, vocal efx) helps to move equipment when the band has to move the stuff on and off stage, he can stay. If he doesn't meet all of those qualifications, he's on probation.
Sit him down and have the whole group explain to him what they invested time and money wise into getting to their current level of proficiency on their instruments. It might blow his mind. Let him know, in a friendly way, that you are a band of equals, not his backup for his karaoke act.
If the guy won't at least try to write lyrics, he should be all over the place to find a friend or family member or online source for help. That's his job. Does he have to replace your broken strings, heads or sticks?
The next time you have a full band rehearsal, take the last five or ten minutes to practice scales. He should be able to sing along with them. It's that simple.

A singer that helps move equipment??!! No way!

GuitarMikeB wrote:A singer that helps move equipment??!! No way!

Yes! I've seen it. Ask Jimmy, he knows.

He has helped with moving equipment before but not that much lol. As far as his singing goes..., he's not all that great in all honesty xD. He tries to do this Eddie Vedder impression from Pearl Jam and it's just....meh tbh. He's a cool dude and all but from what I've seen he's not into it anymore or he's just scared. I remember him saying something about being "weekend warriors". Granted, at times we may have to be that due to day jobs buuut idunno xD. The one paying for the rehearsal space and whatnot will probably be everyone but him.

Sounds like you know the answer on this guy's status already. Get your profile in tip top shape. Band seeking vocalist. Search within 10 - 25 miles of your zip code daily, narrowing your search to vocalist.

Your answer is implicit in your question.

I guess that ultimately, anybody can learn to play a guitar - but singing - actually does require an innate talent many lack.

Talbot

MikeTalbot wrote:Your answer is implicit in your question.

I guess that ultimately, anybody can learn to play a guitar - but singing - actually does require an innate talent many lack.

Talbot

It takes talent that many lack, but it also takes genetic attributes that many lack and a comfort level with being the center of attention that many lack. Not everyone has a voice that can sound appealing to the masses, and the size and shape of various body parts (between the teeth and the lungs! get yer minds out of the gutter!) can be a factor.

It's called show 'business" for a reason. Not show friends. just sayin'....

Find a singer who wants to do this, he doesn't.

Forget the music industry because there isn't much industry left. Just focus on making music, having fun and playing gigs. The more gigs you play, the better you will get at the game. Make playing with the band the most fun these guys have had all week and they will begin to crave it.