GuitarTools.co.uk

Wow, I haven't been here in forever! Already a year? Time flies.
Anyways, I didn't forget about it, I just have had to put guitar on the back burner for awhile.

My question is this:
Singing and Playing has never come easily to me, so I was wondering if anyone could give some advice, and maybe an easy song or two to play.

Thanks!
Chandarath

Hey man!
Glad to see you again!

I've always found singing and playing at the same time hard, but with everything it just takes practice!

Try out: Wonderwall by Oasis or some simple Beatles songs! Master them separately (chords and lyrics) then piece it together, that's what I used to do, now it just comes naturally!

Rikki

It's tough to do, especially the longer you play without singing. I suggest starting as soon as you can and doing with Rikki said.

The only other advice I can give is to really ease yourself into it. Try starting out at a slower tempo. If you can correctly slow the lyrics and guitar down to stay in synch with each other, then it should also help you realize you know both of them quite well. Once you can do it well at a slower tempo, get it up to speed.

As well, its going to be tough to sing and play if you have to think about either of them, the lyrics or guitar.

-Shane

I agree with Shane and Rikki. Knowing the music and the lyrics has to be second nature. If I have to think about what I'm doing as I'm playing, it'll fall apart quickly.

seems like a bit of a dead thread but I'll reply anyway....

The best thing to do is practice them separately and then bring them together when you can perform the parts well and sing with ease. If you can't do either in isolation then you really have no business in trying to do them at the same time.

When you do finally bring them together, a good idea is to actually simplify the guitar part. For example, instead of using a strumming pattern, try exclusively downstrums on the beat in order to get the timing right whilst singing.

Hope this helps.