Musician tips and advice

CSnMUS87CSnMUS87
in General

So I've played a variety of instruments through my life - Trumpet from 4th to 8th grade, guitar casually since senior year of high school (though I've never gotten to the level I want to be at - YET, but I'd say I'm ok), singing (mostly for fun/karaoke but sometimes in church/prayer group settings (english and spanish)) which I've taken lessons from 3 different singing teachers (most recently bel canto opera) as well as singing dvds, took a few bass lessons, learned some piano, of course did music theory when I was first going for a music degree (which I switched to computer science). I HAVE played in group settings when it came to college ensembles and church/ministry stuff, as well as performed solo/duet recitals and have no problem singing karaoke in front of a crowd. However I have never actually been in a band before despite wanting to. I tried to post ads years ago but got no responses, then I auditioned for two bands but for one reason or another they declined (mostly because they wanted growled vocals and not my clean singing) and then those two bands soon broke up in a few months anyway.

My point for this is I recently put up some ads online again after getting that itch and I actually am starting to get emails back (I have to thank chatgpt for helping me write a much better ad than I probably would have on my own by asking my relevant questions). I currently have to record myself singing some songs to send to a band that seems to want me to audition for them. It'll be like 80s metal style with some speed metal influence I believe. So being that I've never been in an actual band before. Does anyone have any advice or tips? For instance... what equipment does a singer need? I've always just used whatever microphone that was provided and not sure what other stuff I'd need to get. I am all about throwing my ego away and being a team player if it means I'll get the chance to do this. I might or might not be a second (rhythm?) guitarist as well but it's still up in the air. I have sang and played guitar at the same time, but it was mostly easy to play spanish church songs that don't use much more than open or barre chords. I'm not sure if turning up the intensity on the guitar or singing at the same time will be doable but I'd be willing to try. Anyway just wanting to hear any advice or tips, whether it's about band life or gear. I do have 3 electric guitars, an amp, and a distortion pedal, but nothing other than a rock band usb microphone as far as singing goes.

Comments

  • labelzlabelz

    Always good to have your own mic and stand. There’s uni and multi directional mic, condenser, etc… I’d research your genre and what’s commonly used.
    My mantra is to always serve the song. Drop the ego, figure how to work as a unit. Otherwise it’s just some dudes all trying to play over each other. And communication is key. A band is a relationship. Don’t fear criticism as long as constructive and serves the song. And as the “new guy”, it can be tough to find your spot in that relationship, but if the music is served, the other stuff usually follows

  • TxTomTxTom

    The band, Cannons, found their lead singer, Michelle Joy, by placing a Craigslist ad.

  • labelzlabelz

    And don’t be afraid to ask if they want you on guitar or need any gear of your own. Showing that you want to be respectful and professional and complimentary is always a good start

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    Just get out there and gain experience. Doesn't matter what.

    Get along with people. Doesn't matter how good you are if nobody likes you, you won't get invited back.

    Be reliable to the point of infallibility.

  • 4bearhugs4bearhugs

    Facebook has musicians seeking musicians pages. Join a bunch of those in your area. Keep auditioning. Find out before your audition what songs to learn, and which rendition (For example: Are we doing Bad Wolves version of "Zombie" or The Cranberries? Radio cut or record cut?) Most bands have mics set up for a singer, but it wouldn't hurt to find one you like and get it yourself. Audition frequently, and if possible, go check out the band in a live performance. Know if they are looking for a front man, or just a singer. Either way, it's good to have a "stage presence". Get to open mic nights, especially ones that are sponsored by music stores. As for me, I was willing to sacrifice playing the genre I preferred just to get into a band and get experience. As a drummer, I have helped with school marching bands and musicals, played country, jazz, classic rock, punk, classical and other styles. Now I have all sorts of connections and get calls for last minute gigs because I'm known as solid, steady and versatile and easy to get along with. I almost never turn down an opportunity.

  • KB62KB62

    I’ve playing in bands the last 10 years and I love the answers people have given! Have you figured out if a particular mic suits you? If not, it doesn’t hurt to try a few out and buy one (and an XLR cable) in case you come across a band who doesn’t have one. Better yet, same goes for a full PA.
    As far as playing and singing goes, the difficulty varies from song to song. And it’s best to learn the guitar and the vocals separately until you have them both down, and then combine them. Or sometimes learning how to play it and then learning the vocals while playing works. Anyway, keep us posted, I’d like to hear how it goes!

  • ustuloustulo

    I have a lot experience with 80's metal and played in those type bands back in the day. If you are recording something for them to hear you could just download a karoake track of a song you can nail and record your vocal with your usb mic into GarageBamd or whatever you are working with (even a phone audio recording) so they can get an idea if your voice suits what they are after. If you end up getting the gig and have never been in a band before it's something you grow into and it may work out or not but it's all part of the journey. If you get the gig and need your own mic to sing with them you can't go wrong with a Shure sm58 it's the workhorse mic of live music and 99 bucks in every music store. A full PA is a major investment but you can get away with a couple of Harbinger 12" self-powered speakers on stands and a Mackie 4 channel analog mixer for band rehearsal if they band doesn't have a PA for you to use.

  • BR123BR123

    I started out playing the trumpet as well, and would periodically switch to the French horn for UIL competitions (orchestra/ensemble music). Then, I switched to the bass guitar, and the piano at about 12 years old, and stayed with the piano - off and on, sometimes taking years long hiatuses (which are brutal, because my piano.. she’s my love).

    However, the first half of my experience was in an orchestra band, under the tutelage of band directors, Mr. Washington, and Mr. Paige. But the second half was in a jazz band, under the tutelage of band director, Mr. Goods. With the orchestra band, each practice consisted of at least 25 people (I’m sure you remember from your trumpet days). But, for the jazz band, it was the same 5 to 6 guys everyday. So, my experience with the type of bands you guys are referencing started there.

    Because it was the same 5 to 6 guys, and we were all so young, we had the opportunity to grow up together as Mr. Goods set up gigs for us to travel around and do. Also, because, we were so young, there was definitely a lot of hazing… and overall, typical stuff that young guys tend to bond over.

    I say all of that to say this: I believe that the non-musical bonds that are created with your future band mates are what decides the success of the band. During my orchestra years, it didn’t matter if there was 25, 50, to 100 people who were basically nameless, because the sheet music was provided, and there were strict guidelines that were drilled into our heads. Camaraderie did not become necessary until we had to sync to one another to understand when a guy was going to perform a his favorite lick, which needed the drums to compliment him in a particular way.

    The last time I interacted with a band was in 2021- it wasn’t necessarily my choice - kinda fell into my lap. However, during my brief time there, i noticed that the lack of bonding outside of music was the biggest hurdle. Bigger than the fact that we did not have the same musical backgrounds! And, if meeting while adults, the bonding process is usually expedited (rather unconsciously) through tons of drinking, smoking, going out together, and running trains on women. All of the things that I personally do not do.

    Now, as a man, I’ve returned to my roots of orchestra - basically movie soundtracks, filtered through DAW equipment - so I don’t have any particulars on performance equipment. My favorite guys are Thomas Bergenson, and Hans Zimmerman, and neither of them are performers, just pure, isolated, introverted composers.

  • CSnMUS87CSnMUS87

    Wow I didn't expect all these responses. Thank you everyone! I'll have to try to find some information to research on mic stands and mics, but I'll take the suggestions I saw into consideration and start from those. My worry is if I go to guitar center and ask an employee they might not be completely honest and might try to upsell me something I might not need (yet).
    I definitely will leave my ego at the door, as I want to get along with them and stay as long as possible (or until it gets to where I'm not happy doing it, in which case I'd have to let them know I might leave. but that's only if that happens.) in the band. Right now I'm feeling excited yet a bit nervous/anxious to leave a good enough impression for them to say yes. I've recorded a few tracks and sent it to them. I'm not sure if they liked them or not, as they're asking me to record one more, but from a list of 4 songs they sent me in a more specific singing style with more rasp/grit that I normally do. I'm totally willing to do this, I just have to get used to doing that. The songs for reference they wanted me to choose one from, record, and send to them are : "On Your Knees" by WASP, "Livin' on a Chain Gang" by Skid Row, "Street Lethal" by Racer X, and "Living on the Street" by Wild Dogs. Not songs I'm too familiar with so I'll have to learn one of them quick. I'm leaning towards one of the latter two so far.

    I did ask about guitar and that might still be a maybe. I think they primarily are looking for me to sing first and if that goes well possibly guitar. Right now they have a guitarist/main songwriter (though he welcomes collaboration and hopes for it.). I recorded the first 2 tracks with my phone and then the next 3 with my usb plugged into my laptop, just using the sound recorder that came with windows. Seemed to do the trick. I do have garageband on another computer or audacity on my linux that I used once before for narrating a video project.

    Well I don't smoke, drink any alcohol, get high, nor "run trains on women", so hopefully we can still bond anyway lol. I'm hoping they might see it as an advantage that I'll never be too drunk or hungover to perform to the best of my ability.

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