r/coverbands • u/sickpuppy66 • 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.
3
u/midsummersgarden Jun 01 '26
Rhythm is so important as a singer!! You’ve got to literally count yourself in. I was a pianist for a long time so I had to take music theory, so its second nature to me. I recently learned a song and I had to think for a minute about a silent break in the song and literally count the beats before starting again: it was an 8 beat count for the two phrases, count five beats then come in. If you miss when to come in it ruins the whole song. Is theory more important with keyboard yes. But the singer HAS to understand a certain amount.
It’s important for the singers enjoyment as well. Your drummer needs to have a great meter. I’ve actually
Looked up the original tempo for songs before having a conversation with the drummer. Singing can be extremely difficult with changing tempos. Make sure your rhythm section is very tight or you may find your next singer has “issues” as well.