singing as a drummer..?

[groovemaster_flex]

anyone feel that singing improves your drumming ability in anyway shape or form?

i mean, i get that it's a good skill to have. but one of my mandatory classes in university is choir. i want to find a practical way to use the singing to improve my drumming. anyone?

[dairyairman]

singing improves drumming? hmm...

i think it might help make your drumming more "automatic" and force you to really learn those grooves because you have to be very solid with your playing to groove and sing at the same time.

singing also may help you feel the music better and play with a little more soul and passion.

[Drifter in the Dark]

I was in a band singing and drumming for 2 years. From my experience, getting a good monitor mix onstage can be difficult, because you have to project your voice past a wall of noisy drums and cymbals, and a lot of sound engineers are hesitant to to turn you up in the PA (even if they give you tons of vocal in your monitor). This is because they have the prejudice that drummers can't sing because they're not "real" musicians (i.e. they don't play "notes" like guitarists do). I can't say that singing improves one's drumming, but I can say that being able to do both at the same time is a challenge that can make you a better musician. If you're able to sing background vocals (and the occasional lead), you'll be that much more of a vital asset to whichever band you join.

[pirate]

I think it is a great tool for improving musical frasing and just being more musical.
Alot of awesome musicians sing as they play, for example: Keith Jarrett or Jack Dejohnette (drummer).

[Funky Crêpe]

i think that ringo shows us that a lot of drummers should not sing! But if you can sing live while playing, i agree, it would be a valuable asset. i don't think singing lead would work though, an audience want the singer to be center stage

[nocTurnal]

i think that ringo shows us that a lot of drummers should not sing! But if you can sing live while playing, i agree, it would be a valuable asset. i don't think singing lead would work though, an audience want the singer to be center stage

What was wrong with Ringo Starr's singing? I guess I'm pretty used to hearing the "misconception and ignorance" over Ringo Starr by now. It will never end. But in any case... I think that Starr's legacy can only encourage drummers to sing. Not discourage. There's not many drummers who could sing and play at the same time, so I'm not sure why you are criticizing him. I don't think the rest of the band would have let him sing if he were as bad as you think he was. His voice was perfect for songs like 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and 'Yellow Submarine;' I can't imagine those songs any other way without Starr on lead vocals.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

It may help with phrasing and to some degree, tuning. Any music will help your over all education of such.

[jim_gregory]

It keeps you from doing to many fancy fills and such. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Deltadrummer]

The challenge that drummers have is to play melodically, when all is said and done. You've got the chops, you've got the groove, you've got the coordination Then it's about how do I do what I do and make it fit into a song. Melodic drummers like Ringo, and like Peter Erskine, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Gadd, you know the guys, make it all music. That's the challenging thing and the most rewarding at the end of the day and singing will definitely help with that.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

anyone feel that singing improves your drumming ability in anyway shape or form?


If I played drums like I sing, I'd never have worked in the first place.........and I'd never work again.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

i think that ringo shows us that a lot of drummers should not sing! But if you can sing live while playing, i agree, it would be a valuable asset. i don't think singing lead would work though, an audience want the singer to be center stage

In principle I agree with you..............but there is always a few exceptions to every rule.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-DCdr2Lf8I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYOAgKGxlMM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=manxPVTLth8
(Sorry, you gotta go to 3:40 for me to prove my point here.....but you get the idea!)

[Funky Crêpe]

What was wrong with Ringo Starr's singing? I guess I'm pretty used to hearing the "misconception and ignorance" over Ringo Starr by now. It will never end. But in any case... I think that Starr's legacy can only encourage drummers to sing. Not discourage. There's not many drummers who could sing and play at the same time, so I'm not sure why you are criticizing him. I don't think the rest of the band would have let him sing if he were as bad as you think he was. His voice was perfect for songs like 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and 'Yellow Submarine;' I can't imagine those songs any other way without Starr on lead vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58Amodaf-g8

do think that is good. And i just think that if your not the best drummer in a band then you just shouldn't be the drummer! one of the beatles had to fill in on recordings that were to hard for ringo, but i forget which beatle it was

[Derek]

anyone feel that singing improves your drumming ability in anyway shape or form?

i mean, i get that it's a good skill to have. but one of my mandatory classes in university is choir. i want to find a practical way to use the singing to improve my drumming. anyone?

It can help with your meter. Often times singers are the first to notice if the tempo is speeding up, having to "spit the words out" to keep up.

[Doom]

I was asked to sing backup with my band. I think the only thing that has changed for me is that I paid more attention to the song form once I had a vocal part.

The other guys write the songs, so I had always just learnt them. Since having vocal parts to analyse also has made me listen more to the song as a whole and to the vocals themselves. I think this hopefully makes me a better musician.

[sabian92]

It keeps you from doing to many fancy fills and such. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Roger Taylor sang and played I'm in Love With My Car. That's got a quite a few fancy fills in it. Plenty of drummers sing and are good at drums.

[Deltadrummer]

Roger Taylor sang and played I'm in Love With My Car. That's got a quite a few fancy fills in it. Plenty of drummers sing and are good at drums.

I've always wondered if being the singer tends to give drummer more freedom on the kit because you don't have to worry about stepping on the words. One of the most famous drum fills comes from Phil Collin's In the Air Tonight, even air-drummed in a recent movie with a Mike Tyson cameo.

[jim_gregory]

Roger Taylor sang and played I'm in Love With My Car. That's got a quite a few fancy fills in it. Plenty of drummers sing and are good at drums.

I didnt mean they arent good. I meant I'm not good. I do about a third of the vocals, keys does a third and two guitarists do a third. I personally don't like singing because I dont think I sound good so I am training the harmonica player to do my songs. Anytime he is singing that means I dont have to hear that awfull harmonica screaching! Plus as it turns out, the guy can sing!

[Cedwico]

I backing sing for my band. It's fun ;)

[nhzoso]

My band wanted me to sing every rose has it's thorn and play the drums at the same time. (1st time for me) everything was OK till the fills came, the song calls for some simple but cool fills but also calls for some pretty tricky vocals at the same time (atleast for me).

It was horrible and I told them I would practice it but honestly I do not want to do it. I don't mind doing backing vocals and harmonizing but lead and drumming is pretty tough for me and I have other things I need to get better at right now.

Some of the greats Collins, Henley, Gil Moore. I think it would only help as long as you practice it enough.

[Pollyanna]

The line I've heard from people for 30 years is that, as a singer I make a good drummer. But I'm our band's backing vocalist. I wish one of the others could sing better than me so I could just play drums. It's more fun for me to just play drums but some songs are boosted by backups, even very ordinary backups.

The other day I had to fill in for our singer who couldn't make it for half a rehearsal, with a fill in guy playing drums. That was weird - just me and a mic. I managed to make enough vaguely appropriate sounds to allow the band to practice the song but the playback was dire!

It was interesting to have a singer's perspective - the luxury of laying back and just listening (between caterwauling). What i found is that I hardly listened to the drums at all, only noticing them if something wasn't quite right. Like most drummers, I'm normally acutely aware of the drumming so that was an eye-opener

[jim_gregory]

The other day I had to fill in for our singer who couldn't make it for half a rehearsal, with a fill in guy playing drums. That was weird - just me and a mic. I managed to make enough vaguely appropriate sounds to allow the band to practice the song but the playback was dire!



Oh if I had to sing without the drums I'd have to find something to hide behind!
I cant even sing without drumming. Doing some taping a while back I had to do drums and vocals in one take. Really I'd be happier without the bloody mic in my face struggling to hear myself and hoping for the best. I got a baby mackie mike stand monitor and it helps a great deal.

[Concrete Pete]

Hey Crew,

Well, it took me quite a while, but I now do lead vox as well as back up vox in 2 of my 3 bands. I'd say that about 7-9 months were needed to get me up to scratch. Now I do hella fills and stuff without my vocals suffering at all. I especially like doing a heavy-hitter fill while doing lead vocals.
Don't give up on anything-- I never thought I'd be doing as well as I am today, and I'm 52!

Rock forever,
C. P.

[Pollyanna]

Oh if I had to sing without the drums I'd have to find something to hide behind!
I cant even sing without drumming. Doing some taping a while back I had to do drums and vocals in one take. Really I'd be happier without the bloody mic in my face struggling to hear myself and hoping for the best. I got a baby mackie mike stand monitor and it helps a great deal.

Yeah Jim, I felt pretty exposed. I wear glasses and it felt similar to the days when I used to wear contacts. Nekkid

At the band's next gig (which I can't attend) a woman will be guesting to sing the Beatles's Don't Let Me Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O7PnvVgQvA). So that was the song I had to fill in until our man with the golden tonsils arrived. If you know that song you'll know it's not one for novices. Huge range (which I don't have) with major belting out, followed by gentle sexy, purring with a big interval (I think it's a 6th). Expectations were obviously low because everyone was being really encouraging and saying, "Good job".

After a few run-throughs my throat was threatening to turn me into a malfunctional Bonnie Tyler and finally our singer walked in and said, "Do I still have a job?". I raced up to him, gave him a huge hug and said, "Thank god you're here!"

Pete, you're a star. You also have a very patient band :) Why were you given those vocal spots rather than leaving it to your main singer?

[BassDriver]

What about Mike Portnoy? He does backing vocals and he is an awesome drummer...technically and musically.

What I've found hard is singing the lines of Schism while playing drums, maybe because the lyrical rhythym is in another time signature, but fairly easy with the verses. The hard part is singing well, that takes focus, focus that is diverted away once you try playing any kind of musical instrument, unless of course you play a 3-chord song on piano.

Singing while playing drums shouldn't be any different than if say playing the piano, but you can't focus on either fully.

[larryace]

Hmm Groovemaster, I don't know that singing will improve the drumming. Maybe for some. Singing usually detracts from the drumming when done simultaneously. I think being (just) a singer in a band situation would help you to understand, as a drummer, where not to overpower, and make you more sensitive to the singers circumstances, (which is quite important) that's all I got.

I want to see a drummer that does lead vocals sing, drum, and tune his drums with a squeeze bulb in his mouth. (A reference to another thread)

[Echo]

anyone feel that singing improves your drumming ability in anyway shape or form?

i mean, i get that it's a good skill to have. but one of my mandatory classes in university is choir. i want to find a practical way to use the singing to improve my drumming. anyone?

There are two themes on this thread on singing and drumming:

One actually singing whilst playing, (backing vox). Very useful if you are good and by the sounds of it (choir...) your pitch will be good. Just another thing to make you employable.

Two singing in your head or/and singing your drum parts.
The single greatest piece of advice I was given was by a hugely sought after bassist in the UK. "Sing your solos" (Jazz context). Sing everything you play that way your grooves and parts and fills will be musical and not a collection of chops that impress very few people and (can) destroy music. The chops can of course fit but let your mind guide you. When writing a drum part or a fill or even when improvising on the spot use some brain power to sing a percussive tune in your head as you play it out on the set. Don't be afraid of simplicity, and don't chop vomit everywhere, it will be pants.
;-)

[Rodriges]

I play drums and sing backing vocals (and sometimes the lead) for few years
I think that singing (as playing on other musical instruments) is very helpful for drummers
It helps to understand music and makes you a better musician

You can check out my voice and playing in this live recorded song :)

P.S. Sorry for my english. I'm from Russia

[ccsimms]

One advantage to learning to sing and drum or learning to sing as a drummer is that the drummer may recognize the singing as another instrument to further support the sound of the band, i.e., play something complimentary to the singer's melodies.

[Concrete Pete]

Hey Pollyanna,

I'm no star!
What I should have probably stated earlier was that I PRACTICED at home before doing vocals with the bands, and then I was confident with it. I took s few voice lessons, and that REALLY paid off.
Oh, as for certain songs being assigned to me-- I have a much lower range than my lead singer in Triple Shot, and everyone (in both my rock bands) usually insist that I do the ZZ Top, some Clapton, and more "growley" stuff like Mississippi Queen.

Never say "die"!

Cheers,
C. P.

[BeatlesFan]

i think that ringo shows us that a lot of drummers should not sing! But if you can sing live while playing, i agree, it would be a valuable asset. i don't think singing lead would work though, an audience want the singer to be center stage

Ringo has a nice distinct baritone voice..

My fav Ringo songs...

Ringo Starr - Beaucoups of Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf0YP8wyElY

Ringo Starr - Mystery of the Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk7mPrXdtRE

Ringo Starr -Everyone Wins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O5CkEyFiLA

Ringo Starr ft. Paul McCartney - Walk With You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zfgpWVs91U

Ringo Starr ft. John Lennon (piano, harmony vocals) and electric guitar (electric guitar) - I'm The Greatest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8RXvfVtZTU

Ringo Starr ft. George Harrison (guitar solo, backing vocals) - King of Broken Hearts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCD7XFfj1NM

Ringo Starr ft. George Harrison (acoustic guitar, backing vocals): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKQh1dXnqTY

Ringo Starr ft. George Harrison (guitar) - It Don't Come Easy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-HPayKwmqM

Ringo Starr ft. Paul McCartney (backing vocals) - La De Da: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqliUOztxoA

Ringo Starr ft. John Lennon (guitar), Steve Cropper (guitar), Billy Preston (electric piano), Harry Nilsson (backing vocals) - Only You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLjaS_EMM-g

Did you know he has the second most Top 10 hits after Paul McCartney of The Beatles solo careers? :)

[BeatlesFan]

My fav Ringo songs in The Beatles....

Honey Don't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvG7wUhNO4w

Act Naturally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3kKL_9SvLE

Carl Perkins ft. Ringo Starr - Honey Don't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-IfamsP3KQ

With A Little Help From My Friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyi3uINlRVc

I Wanna Be Your Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sndmfj_hCfA

Boys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr2V0tx9WiQ