wow this is hard.. singing and playing!

[learnintoplay62]

At the same time. Ok so now I am getting pretty good at chord changes so I figured it was time to try and put it all together , strumming correctly. changing chords, keeping right beat, right speed, correct changes, pauses and singing . Ooops. Didn't happen and doesn't look like it will anytime soon I do want to go back to professional lessons just can't seem to fit it in at the moment so I have been using the internet to sing, play along with. This is really difficult and I have a new appreciation for those who are good at it. I am not at all discouraged but disappointed and a little frustrated. But I really am amazed at how these musicians can perform so well under the influence :shock:
Any suggestions?

 

[Dr. Spivey]

It's easier for me to learn to sing a song and adapt the guitar part to my vocal, than the other way around. It's a matter of learning to hear the changes in the melody. My mind doesn't always work in a conventional manner, so that may not make sense. :wink:

 

[CA-35]

But I really am amazed at how these musicians can perform so well under the influence :shock:
Any suggestions?

Get some influence.

 

[taabru45]

You don't see B.B. King doing it do you?...He's either singing or playing....one or the other.... :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[West R Lee]

Learnin', tell you what I did when I was a kid. Let the two work hand in hand. Find some tabs of something which you are very familair with. With me it was old Eagles songs that were easy to play.......songs like "Peaceful, Easy Feeling", but any easy to play song will do as long as you're familiar with it. You'll have the tabs and you know the words, then the guitar will tell you where to take your voice and the tabs and the melody of the song will tell you where to take the guitar.

Let us know how it's going.

West

 

[Scratch]

Practice till you can't stand practicing. Then practice some more... Stay at it Bob. You'll do fine...

 

[Ridgemont]

That was really difficult for me as well. Once you get over the hump you are golden. The first song I tackled was Blowing in the Wind. I bought a Dylan book at a used book shop and it had tabs/music/vocals all laid out. Well, I could strum the song, but when it came to singing my hand kind of went numb and dumb as I sang the words. I called up mama Ridgemont, a piano and choir teacher, for advice. She told me to first learn the music. Know it so well that you can play it in your sleep. Play it and try and listen/comprehend the television at the same time. Once you know it, silently read the words as you play. Then try and mutter or hum the harmony as you play. Then eventually sing the words as you play. This process will get everything connected to where you can do all at once. It becomes a tad more difficult for fingerstyle, but the process is the same. Eventually you will learn so many songs that it will be almost second nature to pick one up. I am not there yet.

Like Scratch said....PRACTICE

 

[davismanLV]

But I really am amazed at how these musicians can perform so well under the influence :shock:
Any suggestions?

Get some influence.

Damn, Scott, you beat me to the punch on that one!! Too funny.....

Just goes to show you how instinctual it becomes, that you can perform while impaired....

 

[West R Lee]

That was really difficult for me as well. Once you get over the hump you are golden. The first song I tackled was Blowing in the Wind. I bought a Dylan book at a used book shop and it had tabs/music/vocals all laid out. Well, I could strum the song, but when it came to singing my hand kind of went numb and dumb as I sang the words. I called up mama Ridgemont, a piano and choir teacher, for advice. She told me to first learn the music. Know it so well that you can play it in your sleep. Play it and try and listen/comprehend the television at the same time. Once you know it, silently read the words as you play. Then try and mutter or hum the harmony as you play. Then eventually sing the words as you play. This process will get everything connected to where you can do all at once. It becomes a tad more difficult for fingerstyle, but the process is the same. Eventually you will learn so many songs that it will be almost second nature to pick one up. I am not there yet.

Like Scratch said....PRACTICE

Funny you should say that. Now, playing the notes in fingerstyle set my beat for singing. :lol: And I still have a tough time keeping a beat while strumming. But I can see how many would find it easier to strum.

West

 

[killdeer43]

Piece of cake! :wink:

Joe

 

[West R Lee]

I can remember when I was in high school, practicing finger pattens until I'd finally put my head down on the side of the guitar. Over and over again until it became second nature. Problem with me is those patterns (only a couple) became so ingrained in my fingers, that when I watch someone like Frosty, I'm amazed at how independent their fingers are.

West

 

[learnintoplay62]

Thanks guys. Ridgy.. numb and dumb. I love it thats eggxactly what happens :lol:
Now back to more practicing 8)

 

[Ridgemont]

That was really difficult for me as well. Once you get over the hump you are golden. The first song I tackled was Blowing in the Wind. I bought a Dylan book at a used book shop and it had tabs/music/vocals all laid out. Well, I could strum the song, but when it came to singing my hand kind of went numb and dumb as I sang the words. I called up mama Ridgemont, a piano and choir teacher, for advice. She told me to first learn the music. Know it so well that you can play it in your sleep. Play it and try and listen/comprehend the television at the same time. Once you know it, silently read the words as you play. Then try and mutter or hum the harmony as you play. Then eventually sing the words as you play. This process will get everything connected to where you can do all at once. It becomes a tad more difficult for fingerstyle, but the process is the same. Eventually you will learn so many songs that it will be almost second nature to pick one up. I am not there yet.

Like Scratch said....PRACTICE

Funny you should say that. Now, playing the notes in fingerstyle set my beat for singing. :lol: And I still have a tough time keeping a beat while strumming. But I can see how many would find it easier to strum.

West

Well, let me give an addendum to that. It was more difficult for me to get use to my first fingerstyle song as opposed to that Dylan song. After that, I haven't touched too many strumming or strum/pick songs. A few here and there, but I do not really care for a pick. I have picked up a couple of pick/strum finger patterns for different timings, but mostly it is fingerstyle songs. The bass line keeps me in check, but one thing I always struggle with is alternating bass lines along with a melody with the higher notes. That takes a bit of practice and then throwing in lyrics....aaahhh! A nice example is Green Green Rocky Road by Dave Van Ronk. It is a simple piece, but it took a while to get that bass line constant.

 

[eltuce]

Try singing and playing drums. That's a whole 5th independence. It's a lot more difficult than you would think.

 

[avagadro]

West has some great advice. I would add that it may help to record your singing somewhere down the road after you've got your feet underneath you musically. Don't be deterred by the odd noises coming from the recorder, it will help you decide what you need to work on for your vocal tone. Also plan to get in front of real live people and sing sometimes. No use working so hard on everything and then hiding your talents. Good Luck

 

[kevin the bass man]

I would give some advice, but I cant sing worth a crap (I'm always flat, dont have a very good range, and what range I do have is down at the low end)

 

[dreadnut]

It helped me to play and sing along with the records...now if you can just find a record player!
But seriously, it really helps to play and sing along with a recording, youtube, etc, because it helps you get used to playing and singing together, and even if you stop playing you can keep singing along, add the playing back into the mix when you can. It also really helps to know the lyrics from memory, just start with songs you can do from memory even if it's only Happy Birthday or Tom Dooley or Kum Ba Yah.

 

[ladytexan]

Learnin',

Couple of things came to mind when I read your post. Do you have a musical background, i.e., play another instrument, sing/sung at school or church (not necessarily in a choir)..but sing and can carry a tune, do you have rhythm? Different folks have different capabilities.....music playing and singing come more naturally to some....more challenging to others. I grew-up in a family where playing an instrument and singing was just what we did. No big deal. But, when I learned to play guitar, I did that on my own on a cheap guitar which tested my desire to play every time I picked it up. But the big breakthrough for me was playing with others who didn't care that I wasn't very good. I regularly would jam with fellow guitar players (folk music mostly) and learned the lyrics, melodies, and the chord changes from watching, listening, and participating....to the point where I didn't have to constantly watch my own fingers. :::::understanding smile::::::

So, with all of that ramblin', a couple of suggestions come to mind....that have been mentioned by others here.....keep practicing whether by playing along with a recording or with others (this is preferred since most guitar players I know offer encouragement and are NOT judgmental...and, safety in numbers...your efforts can be rewarded because you sound better just because you're playing with others who can play)...and, don't get discouraged. Even Eric Clapton and BB King, at one point in their lives, LEARNED how to play. Like I said, some just pick it up faster/more easily than others cuz of innate ability or talent (luck of the draw on that one...although, I do believe genetics might be involved a bit).

And, you always have us. ::::softsmile:::: Keep letting us know how you're doing. We're here cheering you on...... And, if you ever get down San Antonio/Austin way, there are several of us who would love to have you jam with us. :wink:

 

[Bing k]

Get both the lyrics/melody and the guitar/rhythm down cold separately before you put them together.
You will progress more quickly using this method. It will also teach you more about the music you are performing.
There are a few signatures in songs that just have to be "covered" but other than that lend your own style to the material.

 

[Bobo]

Try singing and playing drums. That's a whole 5th independence. It's a lot more difficult than you would think.

+1 on that (speaking from personal experience). But I think that singing while trying to play any instrument is a marvelous learned skill. I truly admire those who are good at it!