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Thread: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

  1. #1
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    I was always the lead singer in bands--people seemed to like it. But anxiety made me flee to the shadows of bass playing. I liked being the guy most people had no interest in. I was anonymous. I did my job well on the bass, literally standing away from the spotlights. And yet, I miss playing and singing. So I've entered a songwriting contest. I don't care if I win. Some country song will win out. I have the music completed for 3 new songs, a month to finish them up an get ready to perform. One is a waltz, one a quiet rocker that gets heavy and loud by the end, and the third a balls out heavy rocker. If I'm limited to one song, it'll be the waltz. I'm proud of it because it's got a sophistication that I've never been able to achieve in my writing. When I record it, it'll have an orchestral arrangement. Describing a song is like telling a dream--it's boring to anyone who hasn't seen or heard it themselves.

    Anxiety might hold me back. I'm just going to be so prepared that I could sing the song while asleep. This is a huge deal for me.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    Share your story and progress with us here, Willie. I found that doing so when I first dared to take the stage was a great relief to me. We can share your frustrations and successes, and you don't have to keep them internalized.
    Striving to be ordinary

    Proud to be a TFF Dumbass!

  3. #3
    Forum Member Laker's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    Quote Originally Posted by ch willie View Post
    I was always the lead singer in bands--people seemed to like it. But anxiety made me flee to the shadows of bass playing.
    Hmmmm, I’ve never found playing bass to make me a non-singing musician in the shadows on stage.

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    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    There's been a lot of bassists who fronted many popular bands......like Peter Cetera (Chicago), Jack Bruce (Cream), and Felix Pappalardi (Mountain).
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  5. #5
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    There's been a lot of bassists who fronted many popular bands......like Peter Cetera (Chicago), Jack Bruce (Cream), and Felix Pappalardi (Mountain).
    And those are fantastic frontmen. I've fronted a few bands as a bassist. Got pretty good at playing complex lines while singing--years and years of practice. I refused to sing in the last band I was in, no background, nothing. I loved loved playing live but just stuck to the shadows, which took off much pressure and allowed me to have fun. I figure the contest will be three or few songs and then, finito.

    To add to the list: Sting, Phil Lynott, Greg Lake, John Weston, Geddy Lee, and so on.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member blackonblack's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    Quote Originally Posted by Laker View Post
    Hmmmm, I’ve never found playing bass to make me a non-singing musician in the shadows on stage.
    Didn’t hamper Sting at all
    Mark

  7. #7
    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    While we're at it: Sir Paul.
    Striving to be ordinary

    Proud to be a TFF Dumbass!

  8. #8
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    Quote Originally Posted by Laker View Post
    Hmmmm, I’ve never found playing bass to make me a non-singing musician in the shadows on stage.
    “Make me” is the wrong term. I should rather say “allowed”” me to play in the shadows. Bass playing doesn’t have to be anonymous. It let me be anonymous. Also, I was in a band that did basic “classic” rock stuff. I knew my chops and played them well; just didn’t want to be noticed.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member blackonblack's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    Just to add another bassist/lead singer. Phil Lynott
    Mark

  10. #10
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
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    Re: Singing Live, 1st Time in 8 Years

    I’m pretty sure you’ll do it well, brother!

    You got this.

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