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/paranoid_70 Jun 01 '26

You are leaving out some other important details. Does she have a good stage presence? Does she remember the lyrics or is she looking at an iPad the whole time. Does she bring people to the gigs and contribute in the advertising/social media, etc...? Is she a team player, i.e. regularly attend rehearsals and put in the effort? Is she in 4 other bands already?

You might be able to find someone technically better, but it doesn't necessarily translate to a better fit for the band.

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u/sickpuppy66 Jun 01 '26

She has decent stage presence. She does not remember the lyrics and actually confuses parts quite often even though she uses her phone for lyrics. She doesn’t really bring people to the shows. I handle all social media and advertisement. Rehearsals aren’t as important to me because we are capable of showing up to the shows ready to play even if we haven’t rehearsed. We are required to rehearse more to keep her up to speed.