Conference napalm::heavy_metal

    
    
    I start.
    
    The first one that comes to my mind is Geddy Lee. I know that
    RUSH isn't HM for everybody, but still Geddy plays Bass and sing.
    He even plays keyboards or pedal-synthe while playing and singing.
    And for sure his bass playing and singing aren't that easy.
     
    Sometimes I think "Man, how can he play that bass lines while
    singing, he's really amazing" 
                                
    He's a great musician IMO.
    
    
    		Didier  "YYZ" 

Recently I was doing some rhythm guitar playing and singing (well, you might
call it singing if you have a liberal mind!) at the same time. At first
it was really tough for me, and I especially had problems with the timing.
But I was suprised that after only a few practices that, once I knew the
song well enough, it was no problem to to both at the same time.

Now that was just your basic rythm chord changes, and not real difficult,
but I imagine that the more you practice the easier it is to do.

One thing that has always amazed me is how a drummer can sing and play
at the same time. Best example? Don Henley! (Sorry for the non-HM input,
but it does belong to the topic.) To coordinate both hands and both feet
all at the same time - then sing on top of it - and do it *well*! 
It's just beyond me how these guy's do it!

cat

    
        The lead singer for Stryper plays lead and rhythm guitar,
        and plays it VERY well.
    
        (Michael Sweet?  Robert Sweet?  Well, who cares). 8^)
    
                                                       GTI
    

    	Dave Mustaine of MegadetH sings lead, and plays lead guitar.
    I think that's pretty unique of the bands I know of. I would think
    it would be easier to play rhythm instead.
    
    /Motorbreath
    

                I sing and  play  drums.   The hardest part about
                the whole thing is  that you kind of have to keep
                both parts in mind at  all times.  If the song is
                pretty simplistic, I can just pretty much jump in
                and  sing  away.    On the other  hand,  if  it's
                something like Tom Sawyer, I have to sit sown and
                go  few  it  a  few  times  before I really  feel
                comftorable with it.    That's the key, practice.
                Sit  down  by  yourself,  grab  your  sticks  (or
                guitar, or what have you),  throw  on a tape (and
                if you want, tape record your  session  after you
                feel you have it to see if  there  are  any  weak
                spots), and sing and play to the tape.   It's not
                too hard after you do it a few times.   How Geedy
                plays  keys,  bass  pedals  and  sings at once is
                beyond me though.  Two things at once is enough!
                

    I also agree that this can be pretty difficult.  I don't sing so well,
    but I occasionally make vocal type noises while playing guitar. It
    pretty consistantly messes up my rhythm.  But I'm quite sure that this
    is due to lack of practice.
    
    One of my friends from college once told me that no guitar player
    could jam (play difficult leads) while singing.  I took that as
    a challenge to find someone that could.  I listened carefully to
    a lotta albums and didn't find anything (probably because it's not
    common to HAVE a lead line at the same time as a vocal...).  I did
    finally find one, Jimi Hendrix.  I don't remember the song, but
    he was cookin' away in the background while he was singing.  I'm
    pretty sure it wasn't overdubs.
    
    One that constantly amazes me (esp. in concert) is James Hetfield
    from Metallica.  A lot of their music is real fast and has wierd
    time changes, but he never misses a beat while singing.  That impresses
    me.  He doesn't, however, move around much on stage while doing
    it...                          
                                
    gh

    TRIUMP - Lead guitarist and drummer.
    
    Grand Funk Railroad - Lead guitarist and drummer.
    
    Sammy Hagar.
    
    Phil Collins.
    
    
    I (a long time ago) used to sing while playing guitar.  My biggest
    problem was not trying to do both at the same time, it was trying
    to stand still in front of a mike.  I can't help but move around
    while I play.  
    
    Chris D.

    
    Hendrix was a master of singing and playing lead lines simultaneously.
    A perfect example of this would be Voodoo Chile (Slight Return).
    That tune was recorded "live" in the studio, so there were no overdubs
    whatsoever.  Listen to how he doubles his vocal lines with his guitar.
    
    I'm also a big fan of Metallica, and  seeing James Hetfield on stage
    was awesome.  I was amazed at some of the rhythm guitar work he
    does while singing.  A lot of their rhythms are difficult to play
    period, especially songs like Master of Puppets in which there are
    quite a bit of changes.  In my opinion, for what it's worth, he
    is  the best metal rhythm guitarist around (although Scott
    Ian from Anthrax comes pretty close).
                          
    
    Sean

    re: .8  Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
    
    THAT was the example I used on my friend.  It blew him away!
    
    gh

    
    The fact is that drumer of TRIUMPH, sings very well, and his druming
    is also pretty strong.
    
    Yo, drumers, how can a drumer play and sing ?
    
    He never gets out of breath ?
    
    
    	Didier 

                I have  to  agree with the headset.  I've done it
                both ways, and  without  the headset, it's a real
                drag (I used to  suspend  a  mike from the wooden
                beams in my room at  practice  and  had  to  drum
                around  the  damn  thing  without  hitting    it.
                Somebody  stole  my Altas  mike stand [one of the
                bendy booms {what are those called anyway . . .}]
                at a Methuen High show).
                
                

    
    
    	Well, I agree, it's a different world out there when you 
    	gotta sing lead and play at the same time. I play drums 
    	for 2EZ and sing lead on 1 or 2 songs. And I do have the
    	headset rig just for that reason, I hopin' in the future
    	that I'll be able to sing more but right now I'm satisfied
    	with the 1 or 2 songs which are originals which makes it
    	a little easier. I do try and sing as much back-up as I can
    	with the other boize permitting, ya' see my voice aint that
    	good but I'm a firm believer in the practice makes perfect
    	saying. NO wise cracks either Jeff or Scary II, even though
    	they're gonna say something.
    
    	I've found that the headset works great, for me anyways,
    	cuz' the way I got it rigged up I'm still able to do all
    	the headbangin' I can do while playin and singin. It took 
    	me a few experimental tries but it finally came about.
    	I'd like to see all the members in the band go with a 
    	wireless headset, but that's just my opinion and  mine
    	is wirefull not wireless, but one of these days it will 
    	be wireless.
    
    	Hollywood.............Givin' pain whilest singin in the rain!

    3 people have my respect as far as this topic goes ...
    
    1)  Hetfield for Metallica - This stuff is tough to play without
    	singing.  His vocal range (or lack of it ...) helps him out
    	some.
    
    2)	Geddy Lee for Rush - Need I say more ...
    
    3)	Sammy Hagar for Van Halen - I was watching the 5150 concert
    	video again the other night and even though the old man takes
    	a beating in this file, he's a well rounded performer, with
    	or without a 6-string.
    
    I can relate to a degree since I recently started making assorted
    vocal sounds (some call it singing, some call it ear pollution ...)
    while assaulting Scary Toy #2.  I find myself overplaying a lot,
    see my mind isn't working in stereo, yet.  It's getting better but
    one must have a clear head to do it correctly.  That's why Axel
    don't play nuthin' and Slash don't sang none ...
    
    
    				Mr Scary II
    	(who_likes_slamming_Guns_and_Noses_for_no_apparent_reason)

    It's hard, try it!

    re.15
    Excuse me? 
    
    ;^)
    
    /Motornugen

    I never had any trouble! 

    
    Well, I've been reading this note in an attempt to pick up some tips
    and no avail, sweat bugger all.
    
    What with the current singer crisis I may be singing lead and playing
    guitar or (and get this) laying down my guitar for good and doing the
    lead vocals and getting a new guitar player (guitarists are a lot
    easier to find over here than singers).
    
    I've been doing backing vocals and some duel vocals with the old
    line-up (Alex) at most of the gigs and we didn't get booed off stage so
    its worth a try!
    
    -tony

    Good for you, Tony!  Go for it!
    
    I never thought I'd be able to do it, but in the past year I've also
    been able to teach myself to sing and play rhythm parts at the same
    time (but some songs are still difficult for me).  I basically did it
    for the same reason you did (no singers available).
    
    It's really a lot of fun!  Even if I don't sound that great, I enjoy it
    very much.
    
    gh

    
    Well, thats one of the things on the 'agenda' at tonights band meeting.
    Of course, I'll have to audition myself as singer 8^)
    
    -Tony

    
    Well, I've started trying to do it. Starting with simple stuff and lead
    vocals (just about got "Knockin' on Heavens Door" sussed).
    
    Next tunes are "More than Words" and "Whole Hearted" whilst playing
    guitar and singing lead vocals if I do that then I'm the new singer!
    
    -tony (BTW, these tunes ain't in our set but I like playing them and
          M.T.W. is a bitch to play and sing)

    This isn't a problem on the more mundane rock tunes, but you have to
    admire people like Dann Huff, Michael Sweet, Don Henley, Phil Collins,
    Geddy Lee, Joe Satriani, and Eric Johnson.  It takes some work to be
    able to sing while playing complicated pieces.
    
    Frustrated_Mike

    Mike....
    
    As much as I like Satch.... I still don't feel he can sing... let alone
    sing and play!
    
    
    Bonzo

    Bonzo, that's possible, but most people couldn't open their mouths and
    play what he does at the same time.

    Mike... it's worse than that... most of the people I know could barely
    walk and chew gum....   8*)
    
    Hey the guys a great guitarist (IMHO), but it's best left at that.  Now
    Geddy Lee.... that is a different ball game altogether!
    
    Great Bass Player Good Vocalist.... (Sickening isn't it!)
    
    Bonzo

    At first, I could NOT do both ... either play OR sing!  Some conducting
    classes at Berklee got the syncopation thing together, and with a 
    little practice, basically it just falls into place, with the
    concetration not being too much on either/or.

    
    
    
    Don't worry buck, we all know you can't sing or play...
    
    
    

    Help!  My plums have fallen and I can't get down!

    
    great bass player, good vocalist, good KEYBOARD player too...
    plus he jams on those taurus pedals while playing keys and singing :').
    
    sicko...
    
    

    ...he also cooks.
    
    /t

    is there anything he can't do?

Plus he's handsome as hell....

    ...calm down tim.........you're still at the office, remember??...../k

    yeah, but what about those tights he wears ... ;')
    But what about Alex Lifeson's hair?