subject: The Way to Play Guitar and Sing at the Same Time [print this page] The Way to Play Guitar and Sing at the Same Time
Learning the right way to accompany yourself on guitar (alternatively known as "singing and playing guitar at the same time") is actually among the main aims for more than a few newbie and intermediate guitarists. How awesome is it to be able to hang around with buddies at a celebration and have a sing-along! It's also an actual benefit when beginning or trying out for a band.
Take the Song You've Chosen and Learn to Play It
The natural inclination for most beginners is to try to play guitar and sing at the same time right from the start. That is definitely not a good idea. What it is advisable to do is learn how to play the guitar part first. Only when you've done that, learn to sing the vocals. After that, combine them.
Your first step, then, is to choose a song you like with relatively easy chord progressions and straight-forward chord changes. It doesn't matter which one you choose. It really doesn't. There are plenty of simple songs for beginner guitarists. Just one thing you can learn to play the chords to pretty easily, and which you like. Oh, and which doesn't have mondo-hard vocal part. No matter what you choose, it must be do-able. You do not want to spend all this time and then not be able to sing the vocal line.
Once you've chosen your tune to concentrate on (and it is best to solely deal with ONE at a time!), spend as much time as you need and practise until you can play the guitar part back-to-front, up-and-down. Do not simply think about your fretting hand, either. Pay attention to your right hand: the rhythm patterns and your strumming technique. Practise, then practise some more without singing till you've learned how to play the guitar part and created a sort of "muscle memory," meaning you can play the song without looking at every chord change or letting up.
For a comprehensive series of beginner guitar lessons that will have you playing in under a month, visit: http://www.absolutelyessentialguitar.com
Learning to Sing the Song You've Chosen
Then move on to learning how to sing it. Your first step right here is to commit the lyrics to memory. Do NOT attempt to play guitar and sing together quite yet! Simply learn the lyrics and listen to how the singer hits particular notes, holds other notes (and for how long), and puts across the feelings of the song.
When you have nailed "the texture" of the track and you have memorised the lyrics, you will want to record yourself singing along to the music. Sure, the thought of that in all probability sends shivers down your spine, however the truth is it's worthwhile to understand how your voice sounds and where you need some further focus and assistance if you're ever planning to play guitar and sing in front of people.
Is It Necessary to Have an Amazing Voice to Sing and Play Guitar?
The short answer is "No." Naturally, you need to be able to maintain a tune. But being able to sing like some amazing recording musician vocal superstar isn't required! In actual fact, a few of the greatest singer-songwriters ever, such as Elliot Smith or Bob Dylan, haven't got particularly great voices nor are they particularly great guitarists. But, boy do they know how to write and belt out a song! It doesn't matter whether you want to just play and sing guitar at social events or you penning your own songs for the entire world, do not let a less than brilliant singing voice hold you back. Singing is one of those rare things that comes from the heart.
Naturally, you do have to be able to sing reasonably effectively, but that's only a matter of training. Enroll in a few singing classes and be taught all of the fundamentals of how to sing and you may notice your voice picks up dramatically. Then, determine whether or not you wish to take your singing even more seriously or whether or not that is enough for just singing at the same time as playing guitar.
An inexpensive guide covering all the basics of learning how to sing can be found at: http://www.absolutelyessentialvocals.com
Now Combine Both the Singing and Playing
Okay, now it's time to sort out putting the two halves, singing and playing, together. be aware of the bizarre thing that can happen: You'll start making mistakes in the chord progressions, you will confuse the lyrics, you will get tripped up on simple elements of the song... All the things that you had perfectly in your control before, they're going to now seem a pain in the butt again. Weird. It'll seem hard at first (and, it is not an easy thing to do), almost like your hands and your mouth just won't work together!
Chill. This is only a small adjustment and by slowing down and practising in a very deliberate and careful fashion, only then will you begin to get it together fairly quickly. The risky thing right here is that you might become bored and frustrated. Do NOT give in at this point and begin playing a new song. Follow the plan and sooner than you realise you'll find that you can play guitar and sing at the same time!
