Playing guitar and singing

Chads

Chads

Chads

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Hey guys,

Quick one; Do any of you have any tips regarding playing the (acoustic) guitar and singing at the same time? I'm a decent guitar player, but trying to sing at ther same time sends my brain into shutdown. I end up either playing the guitar perfectly and singing like a strangled cat, or singing well and totally forgetting what I should be strumming.

Is it just practice? Or are there some specific techniques that could help me on my way. I've assumed that I just have to learn the guitar strumming until I can do it in my sleep, then concentrate on putting words to it.

Cheers,
 
Mmm, I like that idea. I've just tried tapping my guitar instead of strumming, and it's surprisingly effective. Now I just need to sneakily start strumming without my brain finding out.
 
dmpoole said:
I did it for years but it means you can't give everything.
I've sung and played guitar for 36 years now so I can't comment on any magic formula.
You can either do it or you can't.
Click to expand...

Actually I disagree with this.

Generally, there are talents and there are skills. I class the good synchronisation of singing/playing as a skill, not a talent. Some people will pick it up at a faster pace, of course.
Singing itself is a talent, but getting different body parts to move together is just something that takes practice.

Well, I guess i've just anwsered my own question :)
 
Don't get sulky, we are allowed to disagree. I'd wager all of those singers needed to practice a lot when they first started putting lyrics and playing together. I'm sure if someone is working with a band, they have had time to develop a skill to a degree that they are confident with.

I'd also suggest that if you approached any of those singers in the first few weeks of them trying to do both, they'd have difficulty on some songs.
 
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