Back up or lead? A bass player friend swears that drummers are the best singers. But then I guess you have to have a good voice too, ha!

and no, I'm not one of them. I do like doing back up stuff though

i'm a much better singer than I am drummer. I do not enjoy singing lead while playing. I feel I'm not giving either one the best of me. I don't mind the harmony so much when playing. ive done some moving out front for a set with me on lead and letting the keyboard player handle the tubs.

if youre intent on sticking with it, good ole practice certainly helps the comfort level and timing.

mike

Like Mike says practice is the go... It's always a compromise to some extent.. Get the drumming to a point where the song is second nature and then concentrate on the vocals.. I tend to pick lead songs where the drumming is basic.. backup vocals I have been doing for so long that I just lock in to a harmony.. and now that has becomes second nature as well... (before I drummed I played harmonica & trumpet so pitching is easy for me) ..

Cheers

Practice is key. Keep in mind that you will probably focus more on singing than drumming so the drumming becomes a bit of an autopilot scenario. Your focus will shift a bit between playing and singing when you are playing fills vs playing time. It's trickest when you have a vocal line that falls over a fill.

I find singing lead to be easier as you are not as concerned about the blend. If you are doing a lot of ooh and aah sustained background parts I find that to be the toughest as keeping your core stable while playing is a challenge.

from one of the best. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdvcIqC1DJw"]Levon Helm - On Singing While Drumming - YouTube[/ame]

yep. Helm and Henley both had it down pat, big time!

mike

i like the ear bud monitor and mic set up, works well, by shure, and you can always buy the octave box so you sing a perfect note every time ....lol

I know these songs really well... I sing along on the songs unmic'ed... and my bandmates say slide a mic in there.. when the mic comes in my body position changes, my focus changes and my playing falls a part. Frustrating... I'm a decent singer but my voice is not really needed so it's OK.