What? You don’t have a singer?

(I wrote this a few years ago. It was my first piece, after the initial encouragement from Jakie)

Many of us who play a musical instrument have, at some point in our life, aspired to write music, play in a band, make a demo tape. For those of us who have had the opportunity to pursue this, the concept of having a singer of sorts has been somewhat instinctive. But who among your friends knew how to sing? Most people are rather bashful when it comes to such a thing as singing, or even playing an instrument in front of others. Music is a big deal to many, and is an art that faces some of the harshest criticism. So you and your band mates would just push the singer idea aside, while you wrote a set list of songs. For some bands, the writing process brings forth a rather solid formulation of music, that maintained itself quite easily, without the vocals. But even with a strong, instrumental set list, many bands refuse to take the instrumental path. Of course, no one wants to see an INSTRUMENTAL band... right?

What is it that makes us insist, or assume that the (rock) band is led by a vocalist? Where does this necessity to have a person singing come from? Think back to music before civilization, before agriculture, when humans’ ways were simple and primitive. Even the oldest cultures had music, when rocks, sticks, hands and knees were fine percussive instruments. Even then, a group of people could make an astounding cadence. Is that not music? Were those people not a band, in a sense? Classical music; the intricately woven pages of notes played among an army of strings, horns, and drums, orchestrated to create a storm that was a single song. To write such a piece of music was genius, and most would agree that it is still so. And yet, vocals are rather uncommon in classical. It was only in maybe the beginning of the 20th century that singers in somewhat conventional bands became so common. Of course, vocal artists existed and were in no way rare, an example being opera singers. But in the 20th century something happened that changed the world of music in a gargantuan scale.

As the western world took a step back and marveled at their accomplishments in technology, and further pursuing their methods of business and capitalism, many looked to the arts as a means of advancement. Music concerts were more and more available to the common person, and with the invention of microphones, speakers, and amplifiers, musical performances became quite an experience. And with the new technologies providing the means to record sound, and vinyl albums to play on your record player, emerged product to sell for profit, and the business of distributing such product. In business, selling product inquires the importance of efficiency and specificity. It asks for a keen understanding of what will push and profit, and what will fall into the abyss of the past, reaping no benefits for the company. With this in mind, standards were set.

People respond quite quickly, and strongly to a person singing. It is as a voice, speaking to you, with melodies that please the ear, and the mind. The human voice adds intimacy to the music. Percussion adds a beat to follow, a rhythm to move and dance to, that moves the body and the beat of one’s heart. Melodies must come from an instrument holding the strength that can help carry the vocals, rather than overshadow it, such as a guitar or piano. Record labels could see this, and searched for those that could entice an audience that would undoubtedly purchase their records. We remember the artists of the past, as well as now, that were but a single face and a voice, and yet they were an entire band, an entire set of music. But there were, of course, other members of the band, playing the drums, the melodic instruments.
So now, we know all too well the faces of the singing, and never remember the bassist at all. In any well written song, all parts of the whole band have an important roll to play. And in any well written song, the pieces as a whole can be so strong, so moving, even if it’s but one person on a cheap acoustic guitar. It is so unfortunate that we as musicians must become discouraged from pursuing music out of the impression that we have to have a full band with a singer. Are we just chasing after stardom? A rock star, celebrity, financially comfortable lifestyle? Is music not enough as it is; as art? Isn’t this about self expression? Isn’t this about communication? What’s not conveying enough about powerful music coming from a 4 piece drum set and a guitar plugged into a small amplifier? The best music out there is the kind that sheds from one’s own heart, and shines so bright you can’t look away, regardless of whatever instrument they use.