What can vocalist do when not singing during song?

Hey all,

I recently auditioned for a new forming christian original band and am now playing lead guitar! I'm excited. It looks like there's going to be a rhythm guitar/lead vocals, me, a bass, drummer, and then another hip hop vocalist/rapper. Hopefully we'll end up with something linkin park style.

Any suggestions on what the hip hop guy can do when he's not doing his thing? I don't think a tambourine would really fit in well with what we're going for. He doesn't really play any instruments either.

any thought would be appreciated! Thanks!

Well, our vocalist does harmonies if she's not singing lead. I dunno how what she does when she's not singing would go over for a praise oriented band though. Our drummer sure does smile a lot though . . .

scratch DJ - work some turntables especially if you are going the Linkin Park route

First of all, does the vocalist think he needs something to do when not singing/rapping? Some people just have a natural stage presence and maybe he's one of them.

There's lots of simple percussion besides tambourine. Anybody with a sense of rhythm can hit two claves together. Not being a fan of hip hop, I don't know what would work, but there are shakers, bongos, various Latin and African drums, hand drums, etc.

There's lots of simple percussion besides tambourine. Anybody with a sense of rhythm can hit two claves together. Not being a fan of hip hop, I don't know what would work, but there are shakers, bongos, various Latin and African drums, hand drums, etc.

guns, a couple of machetes.....

just have him throw some shapes, ghetto-stylee innit, like? word.

Take a hat round the audience? Sell ice cream? Do a "middle-aged-uncle-at wedding-reception" dance? Needle point? Knitting? Sudoku (for those long guitar solos)? Darn socks? Iron shirts?

thanks for all the suggestions....serious and not :) I appreciate the thoughts

Paint a picture.

maracas, tambourine, and other "toys" - hand drums - dance - stand back and look at the soloist as if he/she were playing the most amazing solo ever heard - whatever the singer feels most comfortable with. If the singer looks uncomfortable, the audience will know it.

Watch YouTube videos of the stones, animals, van halen, and other groups with a lead singer who doesn't play and instrument

Notes ♫

I don't know how no one mentioned this one.

Cowbell - You can never have enough cowbell.

cowbell ftw!

Jumping jacks? Roger Daltrey done some amazing things with the microphone.Just make sure it doesn't come off. :mrgreen:

If he's hip hop, have him start his own footwear/clothing line and sell or model that during the instrumental bits. Always on the hustle.

For that kind of band, in that kind of gig situation, I'd suggest nothing more complicated than clapping along for the singer - watching the guitarist and clapping, maybe raising his hands high and clapping over his head. Get the audience clapping along. If he can't dance, get him to sway....just get him to get the crowd on your side.

All the best!

:D :D :D

Vic

Watch YouTube videos of the stones, animals, van halen, and other groups with a lead singer who doesn't play and instrument
Yeah, that's what he can do! :D