Singing and Playing Guitar

[methyldopa]

I've been trying to sing and play guitar but I've been falling miserably because I can't keep my guitar playing in time while singing. For example, I can play Californication no problem and sing it no problem, but putting them together is near impossible (because the vocals actually has some tricky rhythms)

I started wanting to sing and play lately because I figure it'll help improve my sense of rhythm.

Anyone have any tips on how to sing and play at the same time?

[Lowthorpe]

I'm having the same problem. Here is what I'm doing to work on it:

1. Choose a song where the lyrical rhythm follows the rhythm of the song. For example, a simple repeating 8th beat power chord rhythm with lyrics over. So that you're singing in time with what you're playing.

2. After step 1, where I've gotten used to singing and playing very simple stuff, I choose something with a slightly more complex rhythm to it, such as a simple chord strumming seqence. And just practice. I'm finding it hard myself however it helps if I know the guitar part well enough that I can just sort of go into auto-pilot mode and concentrate mostly on the singing.

Nick

[Silhouette]

I started wanting to sing and play lately because I figure it'll help improve my sense of rhythm.

I see... You too finally realised that singers get all the girls, huh? -na, just kidding-
All I can say is that I, too, used to have this problem when I started to try that. (and, well, I can't say that I overcame it because I still can't sing... ;) )
My guess is that you should just keep at it. With time passing by and the more you train, you'll find it easier to do both. Like Lowthorpe said, when the guitar part becomes mechanichal and requires less effort - you will have much less problems.
Good luck with that.

[EricV]

Right. I don´t consider myself a singer, but when I hang otu with a singer, I occasionally sing harmonies or a verse or something, and when I do, it usually is not a problem, especially with a typical strum pattern
Eric

NP: Pat Metheny - Watercolors

[hairballxavier]

Start out easy, just playing a basic outline of the chord structure without all the embellisments like say tunes like Gloria, or Wild thing, having a drum track going.

Do songs where the original artist actually did guitar and vocals together, like the James Gang, Nirvanna, Hendrix, etc. The first song I could do both guitar and vocals decently was wild thing. And it seemed impossible at first but you just keep getting better. To me it's almost like I have to know the guitar part good enough to do it second nature be able to disconnect that from my fingers. Kinda like if you try to think about it too much it just makes you screw up. You just have to get in the groove.

Really it's all about practicing, I think.

[Zatz]

Yes. It may seem a bit tricky at first when you try to combine different vocal and comping rhythm patterns. Don't stop and you'll eventually succeed. It takes some practice. Here's what you can do to make the process go smoothly - slow down your singing like you would playback a tune you're trinscribing at a half speed. As funny as it may sound it really helps to nail down independent playing and singing, plus it's a great eartraining exercise - thus you'll have to sing every single note clearly without slurs which is a vocal challenge in itself.

PS. It sounds really funny so sing with care :D

[hummingmusic]

keep it simple at first. eventually, you'll get to the point with either your voice or the guitar where you don't have to think about it. that's what distracts you. if you're brain is focusing on your guitar, your voice will follow that rhythm and melody. i think it's better to concentrate on your singing since that's really what your audience will be paying attention to.
keep practicing the guitar part (simplify it if you have to) and singing with it until you don't have to think about the strumming pattern and chord changes and don't worry about what your singing sounds like. i promise it will get easier. with time, you'll be able to play simple lead lines while singing something completely different. that's a challenge.
or try playing bass and singing at the same time.
that gets real ugly real fast...:cool: