An important thing that needs consideration is "What do you want to do... How do you want to musically perform? Do you want to sing? Or do you feel you would be doing it because you have to? Because you don't have to, The Pro has proven that point.

On the other hand, if you really want to sing, don't let a mediocre voice stop you. Voice training and the many things recommended on this forum really do work.

In my case, I have a very average voice, but I'm doing all the things necessary to improve my vocals... for one reason only - I love singing, close to a passion! And I've made some good progress, but it's taken practice and time.

So listen to your heart, follow your passion. Life's too short... you can make it work with or without singing.

Half of my jobs are instrumental only jobs. Usually, they are corporate coctail hours before a meal and meeting.

On my regular restaurant gig, I do instrumentals only the first hour, limited vocals the second hour, and about 60% vocals the rest of the night.

What's appropriate depends on the requirements of the individual jobs.

For my little part of the world, it would be easy to work four nights a week as a solo
instrumentalist.

Also, it seams that a solo act with the ability to do a lot of instrumental only material has morre staying power at long-term gigs. Customers don't get tired of the variety of material.

Russ

I think as pro has pointed out it really matters what type of gigs you want to do. For some here it is necessary to sing for others not.

My early musical journey was all about vocals. The last 7/8 years of the journey though I played Vibes in a Latin Jazz band without any vocals. I've always played the clubs and larger gigs though, like concerts in the park Cinco De Mayo celebrations and the like.
Terry

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jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

Sounds like you guys are a bit to the left of center with your responses.

He said "Im thinking of playing and performing using my Psr2100 for the old folks homes..."

If you're playing retirement centers, nursing homes, assisted living centers and the like you better be able to sing. Many of these folks are at the end stages of life and the only thing that keeps them going and makes a crappy day tolerable is someone playing music and singing. Additionally, if you're singing, they often sing along with you. If you're just doing instrumentals and not interacting with the audience by doing vocals and talking with them, they'll soon let the folks that do the hiring of entertainment that they're not happy about the situation. Sure, you can get away with pure instrumentals while playing the nite-club/restaurant scene, but that's a different scenario than he was describing. Stick with the vocals and practice, practice, practice.

Cheers,

Gary