Riaan
In all the years that I've been playing guitar (off and on that is) I've never, ever tried to sing along - the main reason being that even though I can sing in tune, I don't have a quality singing voice and the mere thought of singing in public fills me with absolute terror... ?... As a result I've focused on playing all the time. Recently, when a friend once mentioned that "every guitarist should be able to sing if only as backing vocals" I tried to do so - of course when nobody was within earshot.
To my dismay I found that when I concentrate on the singing bit, I cannot keep in time with my playing at all. And when I focus on the playing, I can't keep the lyrics in time or on the correct notes!
Did this come automatically to you guys who sing or is it just a matter of practice? I now appreciate the talents of someone like David Gilmour so much more, realising that he may be harmonizing a vocal bit whilst playing a lead riff all seperate from the main tune. Awesome.
Satriani
I've never had a problem doing both. I personally believe that when you have learnt to play something, you shouldn't stop there. You should play something until your fingers can play it while u do/think of something else, like singing. Like Satriani says, you have to get past the visualization stage, and then you have to get past the memorization stage. Then you can focus on other things.
FatBoy
I've never had a problem doing both, unless I am new to either the lyrics or chords. Riaan I would suggest to just start of humming the notes of the singing pat while you play, and then once you got that down, make a recording of the playing and then play it back and practise the singing. I think you are having trouble because you are too stressed, once you've done it a couple of times you will relax and it will come naturally methinks.
Martyr
To my dismay I found that when I concentrate on the singing bit, I cannot keep in time with my playing at all. And when I focus on the playing, I can't keep the lyrics in time or on the correct notes!
it comes with practice...i have also really never had a problem with it but you do get the odd song that really screws you around...but i i guess it also has to do with how well you know both the guitar part and the lyrics,because if you go learn a riff now and try sing over it straight a way you will defiantly get messed around...
the humming along idea is a very good idea,once you can do that the singing part won't be that hard...
but i agree with your friend,every guitarist should be able to do atleast back up vocals... ?
LMinnie
@Riaan
I have the same problem...sometimes....
Generally happens when Ive learnt the chords first and then try to sing along...cant do it..
I have to learn the song and sing along from the beginning or Iam screwed...
AlanRatcliffe
BB King can't play and sing at the same time either. Ever listen to Rush and wonder how Geddy plays what he does while singing a totally different rhythm?
I suppose it's an independence thing - like drummers, who spend their lives learning it, or that the Czerny method for pianists works on.
NorioDS
At the very beginning, I struggled with this but it eventually "clicks", I think. And singing along to something (if it has words ?) while playing it helps your mind place the notes you're playing a little easier.
Riaan
I suppose it's an independence thing - like drummers, who spend their lives learning it
I guess so. I can't recall having the same problem when I first started playing the guitar, but on the few occassions in my life where I had the chance to play a drum kit, I had similar difficulty in synchronising my arms with my feet. Either would be in time, not both.
But I believe that anybody can learn anything if you put your mind to it so I guess it's just a matter of practice.
Reminds me of the definition of intelligence: the ability to walk and chew gum at the same time... ?
LMinnie
I think its all the same...like learning to ride a bike or drive a car....at first you cant do it properly..but after (peanut qoute) alllooooott of practise you get it nailed and then its like second nature...
JoeyBones
Lawrence wrote
I think its all the same...like learning to ride a bike or drive a car....at first you cant do it properly..but after (peanut qoute) alllooooott of practise you get it nailed and then its like second nature...
Then you take lessons and have to unlearn all your bad habits >☹
karel_appel
Hi friends
I want to something that I heard from somebody.
You can have all the practice sessions of singing, but if you have a stressful life it won't help you sing.
It affects your voice your notes etc and some oaks use their instruments to practise the vocal range. Norio you asked me for a program in vocal training. I do have it here on my pc. I don't know how to upload that files here.
See you soon !
JoeyBones
A stressfull lifestyle messes with your singing and playing. Especially if you end up being an insomniac like me.
Dirk
It may be better to practise your singing without an instrment so that you can consentrate purely on the singing instead of doing two things at the same time.
I get vocal training at a music school in Joburg, and it seems the biggest part of singing is breathing, and the fitter you are the better your vocal should be.
Don't know about Pavarotti :-\
NorioDS
I've pretty much given up on singing ? Gonna hopefully have time to go for vocal lessons in the next few years and then I'll take it more seriously. For now, I'm sticking to mah axes ?
aja
I haven't read all this but here is my tip:
shove your finger in your ear. (or use presstick)
When practicing in a choir the singers sometimes put their finger in their ear.
This is like your very own monitoring system.
You will train yourself to sing better if you can hear yourself better, especially when singing along with music or guitar.
[deleted]
I am a big believer in this method - hearing your voice resonate in your head. I firmly recommend a decent set of earplugs over Prestik, though... And not sticking a finger in your ear also makes playing the guitar a bit easier.
EDIT: Incidentally, having forgotten his earplugs at one gig, my drummer once wrapped chewed/soft chewing gum in toilet paper as a last-ditch measure. Turns out gum that tastes spicy is also likely to burn the hell out of your ears while you're supposed to be concentrating on music. So, chewing gum ain't a good idea neither.
[deleted]
I tried going for singing lessons and I must say, the body plays tricks on you. What seem like simple instuctions become incomprehensible. A patient teacher is a must.
