Solo and Duo Acts

[nousername]

I play drums for a cover band, and have done so since February of 2011. We had no singer, then found one, then had to let him go after about a year for lack of commitment. Found another singer (female) last June. Her and I ended up doing some acoustic duo stuff on the side. At first it was to help her practice the band's songs, but eventually we just started playing our own stuff with plans to perform at wineries, restaurants, etc. By about September, she wasn't pleased that 2/3 of the group (not myself) had zero interest in her choices for new songs. So she quit. Her and I then started to ramp up the duo stuff: 30+ songs, popular music where her voice shines. But since about November, she's just not making any progress on getting the lyrics correct. When she's on, it's great. But the other times...

So I want to split with her and find a new singer. Basically, I can't continue to wait for her to get her parts learned, correct? No matter what personal relationship we have outside of the group. These aren't difficult songs.

I'm trying to find out what other people do in this situation.

[Telecruiser]

She is either motivated to memorize the words correctly or she isn't. I made up my mind when I got into this to memorize all of the words to every song I do, no cheat sheets. When I started down this path memorizing words didn't come easy. But as I worked on it more and more it now is very easily. Sounds to me like she doesn't want to put in the time to memorize the lyrics correctly. I would have a sit down with her and let her know how you feel and how it is important to you that the songs be done correctly. If, after that, she still doesn't want to get with the program then you need to do what you have too.

[mavycharm]

That just  means she is out of focus, she's not motivated and her interest is low. You can always have things perfect if you are interested and passionate enough to do so, but if you are not, then sitautions like these are really common.

She can't always be that way. You have to make plans on your own. Knowing her frustrating perfromance you've mentioned, I agree your reason of looking for  another singer to do it is reasonable enough. But if you are confident enough with her talent in singing and you really found her great then you can always do the changes by opening up to her your concerns, that way she might realize that she is of her downfalls and she has to be alarmed with it.

[daddymack]

Duos are partnerships, and if one partner isn't keeping up with the other, then it won't work, and the worst thing you can do is to not say anything.

[Shaster]

Well there's usually  another way, it's just if you want to go there.  For instance, one of the best singers I have ever worked with can't or won't memorize lyrics.  He always shows up with a book and his music stand. That's just how he does it, and you either take it or leave it.

If your singer is working out in every other way, you could try getting her to use an iPad or something similar, that would be more acceptable to the audience than paper - as long as it was acceptable to you.

And I suppose first things first (as stated above) you should try to find out why she isn't learning the lyrics.  If her answer isn't satisfactory then you'll have to decide where you go next.

[rodclement]

I fall under the category of "can't memorize lyrics", it is not laziness, it's a learning disability, I can't memorize numbers either so, you should have a talk with her and find out what her reason is, she may be bored and want out, or she simply is unable to do it.

Having said that, I have been fronting bands since age 16 so it can be done, I learn my parts, and the lyrics on my own time and alwasy come prepared, I use a tablet for lyrics in gigs as a reference point, not a crutch, I don't follow the tablet all night, it just brings me comfort to know it's there if I need it. My point is, there are ways it can be done without taking away from the performance if she is willing to do it. If not, dump her.

JMO

Rod

[nousername]

Thanks to everyone for the comments. We'll be having a chat today at rehearsal. I hope she takes my concern as what it is; concern. We were supposed to be much farther along by now...

[Mutha Goose]

The singer in my band cannot memorize lyrics either. We have worked and worked with him, but he just cannot do it. He is a hell of a front man though.

My solutions was to buy an old monitor ($20). I took out the speaker and all of the bracing. In its place, I mounted a used computer flat screen (I had one laying around) and an old laptop (can always find one not being used in someone's basement), He now has one "floor monitor" that is really a telepromtper.

[rodclement]

This is a great idea! How is he paging through the songs? What software are you using for the lyrics?

Care to share more about this option?

Thanks!

Rod

[Mutha Goose]

He uses a basic presentation setup: Microsoft Powerpoint and a bluetooth clicker to change pages. He arranges the songs in set-list order ahead of time. That's it. Real simple.

There are some basic teleprompter SW packages and karioke packages out there that will scroll lyrics, but I have no experience with them and I don't know how people keep them in time with a live performance (outside the click-track guys).

[Bob Dey]

She was picking songs that most the band members didn't like, so are these the same songs that she cant memorize with the duo? Looks like you've had a talk with her about it, which is what I would have suggested. Maybe she doesn't have enough time between her day job, kids etc.

Listening and singing along with songs in the car is what my female singer does because she's crunched for time. An mp3 player with headphones might be the way to go too.

[nousername]

She had trouble memorizing the band's songs, but they were all new to her. The songs we have as a duo are songs she's been singing forever. Incorrectly, it turns out.

We chatted today, and I told her I was bummed out we had not reached goals that we talked about back when we first got excited. She agreed, and said that we should come up with some goals we can both agree upon. For starters, her laying down vox on the four demos I recorded. Which makes me happy. They're over a month old. I think we'll also decide on a performance schedule. Maybe a couple open mic nights per month until we line up regular paying gigs.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. After talking with her today, I realized our biggest issue is my inflated sense of progress. I think we should be adding one to two songs per week. She doesn't. We're going to get this worked out.

[daddymack]

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nousername wrote: I think we should be adding one to two songs per week. She doesn't. We're going to get this worked out.

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'She doesn't' in what sense? More songs...or less?

At least you two are communicating. Either way, good luck, and let us know how things work out!

[nousername]

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daddymack wrote:

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nousername wrote: I think we should be adding one to two songs per week. She doesn't. We're going to get this worked out.

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'She doesn't' in what sense? More songs...or less?

At least you two are communicating. Either way, good luck, and let us know how things work out!

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She can't learn one to two per week. It's too much for her and her schedule.

[Shaster]

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nousername wrote:

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daddymack wrote:

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nousername wrote: I think we should be adding one to two songs per week. She doesn't. We're going to get this worked out.

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'She doesn't' in what sense? More songs...or less?

At least you two are communicating. Either way, good luck, and let us know how things work out!

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She can't learn one to two per week. It's too much for her and her schedule.

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That's understandable.

Way back in my early twenties I was in a band that played about 50 weeks out of the year, six days a week. At the end of our three years we went from zero songs to over three hundred. So that averages out to abouit two songs a week. Let me tell you that was a lot of rehearsing to get those songs squeaky clean and tight.

The thing is we wouldn't learn two songs every week. Some weeks we wouldn't learn any, and the next week we would learn four or five. So maybe picking a time when she can learn a song, and having a specific purpose for learning it might help.

Anyway, glad you had the talk. Sounds like you're getting on the same page.

As for me these days, if I get two vocal songs a month I'm over the moon!

[Graeca]

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nousername wrote:

I play drums for a cover band, and have done so since February of 2011. We had no singer, then found one, then had to let him go after about a year for lack of commitment. Found another singer (female) last June. Her and I ended up doing some acoustic duo stuff on the side. At first it was to help her practice the band's songs, but eventually we just started playing our own stuff with plans to perform at wineries, restaurants, etc. By about September, she wasn't pleased that 2/3 of the group (not myself) had zero interest in her choices for new songs. So she quit. Her and I then started to ramp up the duo stuff: 30+ songs, popular music where her voice shines. But since about November, she's just not making any progress on getting the lyrics correct. When she's on, it's great. But the other times...

So I want to split with her and find a new singer. Basically, I can't continue to wait for her to get her parts learned, correct? No matter what personal relationship we have outside of the group. These aren't difficult songs.

I'm trying to find out what other people do in this situation.

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Mostly, I play solo gigs, 'cause I can always depend on myself!

As soon as it becomes a duo, and then a trio, etc., the headaches start growing in magnitude.

Wish it wasn't this way, but it always seems to end up like that, so nowdays, when I book a trio gig for Too Hot For Snakes, I immediately line up a spare bassist and percussionist, just in case.

[Dr.Tom]

I jumped in here late but wanted to comment. I'm glad you are talking because that's really important and will make a big difference in how you finally work this out.

I also wanted to comment about those who have a bandmate who can't learn the lyrics, no matter what. I have a front man that I have played with for years. He can't learn the lyrics and uses songsheets. So I've just learned to accept it when working with him. I'm now doing an acoustic trio with him and that's part of the deal. When playing in other band situationswith him over the years, no one ever mentioned the fact that he had a music stand and was using song sheets.

Tom

[Louis Schwartz]

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Mutha Goose wrote:

The singer in my band cannot memorize lyrics either. We have worked and worked with him, but he just cannot do it. He is a hell of a front man though.

My solutions was to buy an old monitor ($20). I took out the speaker and all of the bracing. In its place, I mounted a used computer flat screen (I had one laying around) and an old laptop (can always find one not being used in someone's basement), He now has one "floor monitor" that is really a telepromtper.

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I just have to say that this is a absolutely brilliant idea!

Louis

[nousername]

Quick update. She's been doing better the last few rehearsals. She agrees with me that we should be at a point where we don't need to play every song in our list at a rehearsal. Just work on new stuff, or polish something we stumbled on. Plus we managed to get some vocals recorded on one song that we can use as a demo for new venues. I tried to mix it, but I'm sure the result is mediocre.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. I once again have hope whole thing this will work out positively.