vocalist recruitment
ok our band has been going for about a month but already we have a change as the female vocal wasn't working. we all sort of just came together and I've not recruited a vocalist before.
what would you guys do? Would you draw up a list of 3-4 songs to test their voice - given that we are a rock band maybe SOF, a lizzy song, and something by AC/DC or GnR to see whether they can get the high notes?
suggestions please. never done this before (other than when I was in school) and at 47 it would be nice to be as professional as possible and get on with the business of getting a decent set together.
nick
getting a vocalist last is a difficult thing. they won't neccesarilly be able to comfortably do all the songs you have learned as a band so be prepared to change keys or drop stuff at some point. For most bands, most of the time the singer is the focus of Joe Punter so setting them up to fail is just setting the whole band up to fail.
you might want to think about the other qualities you might want in a singer - confidence, image, humour - as these can compensate to some extent for a limited vocal range. Assuming it's a typical pub rock covers band then expecting to find an undiscovered vocal genius will have you searching for a long time.
Some singers may also not be used to singing with a band, just in the bath or at karaoke. That doesn't mean they can't sing but may not get the hang of a song straight away playing with the band.
In typical rehearsal rooms the vocal PA is cheap and the band too loud. It is very, very hard to sing your best in those circumstances so try to make the set up means they can hear themselves.
I'd suggest sending a list of what the band knows best and asking them to pick a couple. Given a week or so notice I'd expect them to know the lyrics ( of straightforward songs anyway) although they may have a bit of paper with them on due to nerves. If they can't or can't be arsed to learn at least one song properly that's a big warning sign I would think. Trying to read and sing at the same time inhibits performance ( many previous threads on this topic!).
Singing is aversely effected more than playing an instrument, by and large, by nerves so be friendly!
Breeding mammals with insects is my personal bugbear.
I think you are about right, bear in mind that some songs suit certain voices better so offer a list from your current set of say 6 varied songs and ask them to nail a minimum of 3 from that. Also ask them if there is a song they particularly like to use to show off and you could learn that (they are auditioning you too after all). Give them a specific time and location for thier 'slot' and be as professional as you can (so be ready for them to arrive, have a bottle of water if there is no bar etc.)
well, that's more right than I normally am!Originally Posted by ESBlonde
Breeding mammals with insects is my personal bugbear.
Do you play GNR stuff in Eb?...might be worth warning the potentential singers if you do anything in a different key to the record....or don't tell 'em and see how they cope (cue evil laugh).
Be realistic as to what you expect of an amateur singer coming pretty much blind into a band and singing songs in keys that may or may not be right for their voice (I'm lucky, our singer also plays rhythm guitar for us and so can tell us what key he needs a song to be in) .
But, conversely..I've found that you get a lot of people responding to "vocalist wanted" ads who really aren't up to the job - so whilst you need to make sure your expectations aren't set too high, you also need to be honest with yourselves if someone doesn't cut it. I've found it harder to break the news to an unsuccessful singing auditionee than any other, because it seems more of a personal criticism...but still
thanks guys as usual - all sensible stuff.
better draft the ad today. at least it is moving on; the female vocal thing didn't work out so well - she can sing jazz but not rock at all really and i think we were just trying to push boundaries too far despite compromises left right and centre re song choices.
onwards and upwards etc
cheers
Nick
We were looking for a female singer for a covers band project and had 6 applicants so we held an audition evening. 3 couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, one was really good and was looking for a "backing band", one had a great voice but had spent several years singing to backing tracks and couldn't get the hand of singing with a band. The last one was swedish, tall, very good looking and ................damn she couldn't sing either. I would have paid her just to stand there and play the tambourine but I was outvoted.
Yeah, bit of a minefield this one.
Ask for lots of experience, and evidence of it.
Female vocalists especially, since there are literally thousands out there and most of them, if they can carry a tune at all, do not do it with sufficient gusto to credibly front a live band.
Male vocalists tend to be a bit more band-oriented, but the problem there is finding a good one who can front a band but isn't a complete and utter douchebag.
Fender Wayne Kramer Road Worn Stratocaster
Fender Classic 50s Telecaster
Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 & 1960A
Our band has found itself in a bit of a singer-free situation too.
We were just starting to get regular gigs and new bookings, and everything seemed to be going rosy till our ffrontman (who I have to say is pretty charismatic) decided he gets more fulfillment from sining in karaoke bars!
AAAAAAGH!
After a year of working together and a bunch of gigs lined up he announced (by email!) that he didn't want to learn new songs or come to practices anymore... I mean TBH he is more into Nina Simone than Roky Erickson, but he is a very good frontman (he even does a cat dance during Lucifer Sam!) and is very un-rock (wearing slippers on stage and slacks). Ah well.
Back to the want ads. NO LEATHER PANTS!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote