Right so...........singing and playing guitar in 4 months

I was 12 years old, my Dad taught me the chords E A & B and two weeks later I was on stage with him singing and doing around 10 songs.
Within 2 months I was doing all his spot after learning some extra chords.
Yes it's possible but you have got to want to do it.
 
Swi1ch said:
One song? 4 months to learn 3 or 4 chords...if your mate is betting anything more than £1 you're onto a winner here.
Click to expand...

This... You only have to play an accompaniment, nothing really complicated! As long as you can pick something within your vocal range you're on to a winner!

If the bet is for a sum of 3 figures, it'll probably be worth getting a local guitar teacher to help you out - some might be a bit averse to helping you do something like this but you'll probably find one who won't mind. You might even find that you want to carry on! :D

BTW if you can learn 3 or 4 chords and some different progressions, you'll be amazed at how much stuff you can "play".
 
dmpoole said:
Is it?
There's one line where there's one chord for every word "Like to say to you but I don't know how".

There are easier Oasis songs like Don't Look Back In Anger.

What you need is a strum based around C Am F G and there are millions of songs.
Click to expand...

Unchained Melody is always the first one that comes to mind when I think of that progression, although as you say, there are millions of songs. :)

That makes a point, actually... If he learns to play the arpeggios as well as just strum chords he's just added loads more songs :p
 
I have literally just finished a punky version of "knees up mother brown".

Just keep going round and round til they are bored.

knees.gif


here came a girl from France
Who didn't know how to dance
The only thing that she could do
Was knees up Mother Brown.

CHORUS:
Oh, knees up Mother Brown
Knees up Mother Brown
Knees up, knees up, never let the breeze up,
Knees up Mother Brown.

Oh, hopping on one foot
Hopping on one foot
Hopping, Hopping, never stopping
Hopping on one foot.

(CHORUS)

Oh, prancing up and down
Prancing up and down
Prancing, prancing, never dancing,
Prancing up and down.

And whirling round and round
Whirling round and round
Whirling, whirling, never twirling,
Whirling round and round.

(Repeat CHORUS)~

And the chords would be useful:

A Chord:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkkOFLouQDs

D Chord:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh6sPqDEZCY

E7 Chord:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtPbCSZgKMM
 
Replace the <> for [].

e.g.

<youtube>VkkOFLouQDs</youtube>

<youtube>yh6sPqDEZCY</youtube>

<youtube>DtPbCSZgKMM</youtube>

Becomes:



 
In terms of dealing with nerves just try and embrace the adrenaline rather than fear it. Deep breaths, perhaps a pint (no more than one!) and enjoy it. What's the worst that could happen eh?

Oh, you could lose the bet I suppose. What if you attempt it but **** it up, does that count?
 
Easiest chords are G D and C for sure. Throw in an Em and you're sorted for most pop songs out there in one key or another!

It will be your rhythm/strumming that will probably need most of the work along with the transition between the chords. A couple of lessons would get you in the right direction.


If you're a lazy git I reckon you could get away with doing power chords to something like All Along The Watchtower by Bob Dylan - it is a bit of a cheat but will serve your purpose.

Clicky - you can get away with just playing the top two strings as well as long as you mute the remaining strings.
 
I been playing guitar for about ten years and I'm absolutely crap at singing at the same time as playing. Anything more complicated than a strum and I'm doomed :eek:

I'm sure you will be fine :)
 
I reckon its perfectly doable. Suggest you get hold of this book and one you like the look of. Steer clear of any barre chords (F, F#, G#, B) as these require some practise and hand strength. Also maybe get a capo so you can change the key of the song so it matches your voice without having to change the chord shapes.

Good luck though! no way id get up in front of a pubfull of people and ive been playing for 2 years now :)
 
In terms of guitar practise, the secret is little, often and making it GOOD practice. I can't help with playing and singing, although if it's just chords that follow the vocals it won't be too bad, I guess you just have to practice singing w/the chord changes and stuff.

Try and get in a couple of hours or so every day rather than an extended practice every few days. Think about dividing the practice into three parts, left-hand, right-hand and then the song. So you spend a bit working on strumming chords and picking notes from them in order to develop the right hand, then the left hand practices holding the chord shapes, changing between them and letting them ring clearly (to a newbie the shapes can often feel quite uncomfortable, so it's sometimes a good idea to practice holding the shape further up the neck since the frets are closer together, then moving back down as you get more comfortable). Then you can just work on the singing/playing part together to wrap it up. G'luck!
 
Easy enough. You haven't actually mentioned what your ability is in either area. Learning to play from scratch is different to played a little 10 years ago.

Singing: Download yourself some vocal exercise mp3s and work through the scales regularly. I do this in the car :) Nothing like hammering down the m40 belting out some scales to increase your range/volume.

Playing: Simple chords, play something with a tried and tested acoustic version, something you know, like and fits within your range. No sense trying to sing Goo Goo Dolls - Iris unless your prepared to take a foot in the nads before hand :p

edit: Oh and also, recording yourself playing/singing and listen to it back. How you hear yourself in your head is different to how you actually sound, and you NEED to do this to gain confidence and develop your weaknesses.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom