Singing and Playing

[caseyscoolerthanu]

Unfortunately, I was not born with the skill of playing guitar and singing at the same time.

Let me brief you guys in on why I want to learn this teqnique.

Over here in B-town , I was in a band, and I was the lead singer. The drummer was amazing, the bassist was my girlfriend, and the lead guitarist was my gf's brother.
Well, while my gf's bro was a good guitarist, he had a bit of a drinking problem, which eventually ruined the band and shattered its members into broken pieces.

Since that band, I have not been able to find any sort of help in composing music. I write lyrics, and I write tabs. Some of the tabs are not the best, ill admit, but it usually gives a general idea of how the song should go.

I would classify myself as a rythym guitarist because every time i try to solo it sounds like shit cuz i hardly know what im doing

Well anyway, over here in B-town i have about 4 -5 friends (something like that) that know how to play guitar, and only about 2 friends that know how to play it 'well'.

I have come to learn that nobody in my area is as musically inclined as I am, and there is literally no hope at starting any kind of band with any of these people.

And here's where I come to the point of this thread...

If anybody has any ideas/teqniques/strategy's on singing and playing guitar at the same time, it would be greatly appreciated if you posted them below.

Thanks

 

[DZ666cob]

I'm probably going to get flammed considering I'm supposed to be banned lol but figured I'd help you while I'm here. Anyways your best bet to learn how to play and sing at the same time is to play chords and make up lyrics as you play and keep your voice in that same tone so that it kind of harmonizes and it will let you keep control of your strumming etc. so you don't get all messed up, also playing songs w\ power chords will help you. A few songs that might help you start off are.

most of free bird by lynyrd skynyrd
the rest of my life by less than jake
second chance by shinedown
spokesman by goldfinger
ain't no reason by brett dennen
cannonball by damien rice
basically anything by greenday
I wont back down by tom petty
one headlight by the wallflowers
99 red balloons cover by goldfinger

if there is anything you need to know or have any questions add me at [email protected]

 

[caseyscoolerthanu]

cool thanks for the advice!

Im definently trying to learn alot by green day right now.

 

[MegaMatt]

i'm still having trouble doing this as well, you need to know the guitar part VERY well, so much that you can do it passively (barely thinking about playing the song, and just letting your hands do the work), once you got it down just put the lyrics to it. It takes A LOT of practice, and I can only do it with two songs right now >_<
Relatively easy songs to do it with: Gotta Get Away - The Offspring
The Kids Aren't Alright - The Offspring

 

[caseyscoolerthanu]

I think Gotta Get Away by Offspring would be too hard for me to do , with all the rythym parts and all, but it is a good song.

Thanks for the advice btw , so far I can do Come as you are by Nirvana fairly well.

 

[MegaMatt]

Trust me and try to learn Gotta Get Away, it was one of the first songs I learned, and is actually extremely easy.

 

[caseyscoolerthanu]

i tried it out and i just couldnt get the hang of it right away, im sure with practice i could get better, but im beginning to learn that everybody has natural talents and teqniques in there guitar playing, im also trying to switch up strumming patterns more and write my own songs with common chords

 

[The_Ace]

i usually play the guitar part(thought i play bass) really well, then i just sorta talk the lyrics, and then i actually sing them.

 

[caseyscoolerthanu]

Iv gotten a bit better since my original post up there, Im getting down the basic concepts of when to start singing the next lyric, and im tryin to put a guitar riff right there...

It's kinda confusing but im getting pretty good at About a Girl - Nirvana right now

 

[AgonyForScream]

I'm obviously new here.. but dont judge me, because however vain this sounds (Haha) i know alot about the music expertise. I'll give you a rough guide on producing a personal technique. Since this is what it's all about. Heres a few points.

-What is your best skill? Singing or guitar?
- Since vocals is supposedly to be added to a harmony, Which is the guitar. Work on simple chord progressions for example, "E Chord".
-It's also important to sing along to a "tuned" guitar.

Start off with greenday songs as mentioned, such as, Time of your life (Good riddance)

It's rather simple really, nobody can tell you how/what to do. Since it's all about your own posture and skill. Just keep confident.

 

[caseyscoolerthanu]

Thanks for the comment, ill take that to heart

 

[Macroman]

I don't know too much about this either but I suggest just sticking to simple songs. Easy to play on guitar and simple vocally. Knowing the song really well would help also.

 

[Denial]

Start with really simple, repetitive rifts, and gradually try learning the lyrics.
as you get better with the riffs, try humming to the song at the same time, and build up to singing.

Hope this helps,
~Denial

 

[case_closed]

it took me a while to learn how to do that.but what i did was learn to sing and play to bands like blink-182, greenday , nirvana, etc. or bands with easy riffs.
try songs like.. Minority(greenday) Brainstew(greenday) Adam's Song(blink-182)

 

[dansmithxxx]

I've been playing guitar for 4 years now and its my escape from the world,id have to say the easiest songs to learn to sing to would be green day,since its mostly chords and no "real" hard stuff,its mostly beginner and Billy Joe's voice is easy to copy,i to songwrite and write tabs,and im purchasing a white fender stratocaster in the name of my favorite guitarist jimi hendrix,also you might wanna try the strokes,"Juicebox","Someday","Last Night",easy songs to play and sing plus Julian Casablanca's Voice Is Fun To Sing.

 

[Fish1ngsk1ll]

You can start by trying a simple chord progression and humming to hit the right pitch. Then build off of that. I'm also a beginner at this, but I find it becoming easier.

 

[MegaMatt]

i discovered today that it helps A LOT if you're drunk.

 

[agi kaza]

i discovered today that it helps A LOT if you're drunk.

To be honest this is a general statement.
Applies to almost all aspects of life (driving not included).

On topic: PRACTICE, that's the only way anyone can do anything well.

 

[wizardzgame]

I can't do it because I always forget when to change chords, or I sing bad when playing guitar. Any tips? I sing great without an instrument but doing it alone looks dumb.

 

[caseyscoolerthanu]

I don't know the last time I posted on this thread, but guys, I still need fucking help singing and playing X(