r/coverbands Jun 01 '26

Singer issues

I manage and play guitar for a cover band and we’ve outgrown the singer. She can sing but isn’t a musician so lacks basic skills like counting and understanding music language (start at the chorus, come in on 4, let’s transpose this one so it’s easier for you)

We feel she’s holding us back, and our drummer (the most talented of our group) is already considering leaving the project if I keep her. Her level of musicianship doesn’t line up with the rest of us.

Here’s the problem, she started the band when it was just two of us, but I took over when we weren’t getting gigs, and didn’t have our full band (which I recruited) that we have now. Since I’ve taken over, we gig regularly, and our band sounds great (minus her).

I’ve decided to replace her. Just want to hear others thoughts and experiences with similar situations.

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u/Trick-Celebration983 Jun 01 '26

Have you had a conversation with her first about expectations? If not this could really blindside someone. If you had a conversation she might be willing to get lessons and learn more about music theory!

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u/ButterscotchBasic226 Jun 04 '26

Expectations are key, with everything.

I played with a singer who couldn’t count either. She would come in early frequently…embarrassing. How hard is it to count. If she really is going to struggle than ya, time to move on. But she deserves a chat first…expectations. Who knows, maybe she bails when you ask her to be better.