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Post by yannick on Feb 23, 2010 13:29:31 GMT -5
Hey guys one of the main reasons I bought a guitar, is to be able to play the songs I like andto try and sing them while playing. There is my big problem When I try to sing while strumming I start to strum at each word I sing it is really a mess... Are there some major hints or tips that can help? Or is it all about being more experienced with the playing part? 2nd question: did you learn to play just by computer etc or did you take lessons... and are there some books you guys recommend to learn faster? Thanks Kc
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Post by Mohikanas on Feb 23, 2010 13:52:09 GMT -5
Hi, well when you'll stop thinking about what your fingers are doing, you'll be able to sing along. Once you don't have to think too much about the chords you'll focus more on the singing along with that strumming. Personally I bought some methodical books, like Phill's Capone. Then of course, the internet and wonderful teachers like Mojo.
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Post by lesblues on Feb 23, 2010 17:08:39 GMT -5
I have the same problem with singing and playing guitar. Made worse by the fact that I can't sing for toffee! I believe Mohikanas is right, once you are a better player you should be able to sing along. Although I did hear a well known guitarist (I think from Blur) say that he wasn't very good at singing and playing at the same time.
I have never had a lesson from a tutor. All my learning has come from computer based or the internet. However I belive that one would probably improve more quickly with a good teacher. But what the hell I'm pretty happy muddling along. :-)
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urs
New Member
Posts: 31
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Post by urs on Feb 23, 2010 17:45:44 GMT -5
hey, Yannick, that's perfectly normal, I'd say. I have to be perfectly fluent in playing before I can (or should) even start to think about singing. And even then it takes a good amount of practice before I then am able to sing like I would without the guitar. So, yeah, what they ↑ said... Never had lessons, too, so "Muddling along" describes it quite well I try to force myself to pick up a tune every now and then which really requires me to practice.
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Post by gasman on Feb 23, 2010 23:56:28 GMT -5
I'm like Les, I can't sing to save my life! I really don't even try because I know I don't have a voice for it (my five-year old can confirm that, and he tells me!). As for lessons, I started taking guitar lessons back when I was 13, in school. That only lasted nine weeks though. I took a music theory class when I was in college, but that is it. I've had guitar lesson books since I was a kid: The Mel Bay books come to mind and a folk guitar book by Jerry Silverman. I've played acoustic off and on (mostly off), since I was a kid, so I had a general knowledge of some chords and strumming techniques when I took up the electric guitar a few years ago. The internet has really been a great help to get back into playing, and I think most new players rely on it for learning. Thank goodness for Mojo and other on-line teachers that take the time to teach basic chords and strumming in addition to popular riffs and covers.
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Post by Happy Jack on Feb 24, 2010 3:06:29 GMT -5
I will join MrB and G-Man.
If had to sing for food I would be Hungry Jack
I heard one way to start is to hum the vocals first and then start to add the words.
I think I also agree with the other posts you need to be 100% on with your playing so you aren't thinking about it.
I am learning by computer - Charanga Music Coach is good, Tuxguitar which is great, Youtube lessons, books and private lessons ;D
But to be honest it still amounts to muddling along ;D
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Post by pwfirst on Feb 24, 2010 14:14:40 GMT -5
I try and think of my stumming as keeping the rythum going like it is a drum. Strumming with your singing is very common. Start by just strumming in 4/4 one stum with every beat of the song.. experiment with strumming down all the time and then strumming up every other beat and so on. Many book have the strumming pattern in them and that helps. But start out simple. All down with evry beat to start, Once that gets boring it is time to branch out. Also remember you have 6 strings and you don't have to hit them all at once. Some times hit the low ones and sometime his just the higher strings. Sing and use your right hand and keep beat on your Rt knee is a good place to start. Then pick up the guitar and beat on your guitar with the pick. Or use the pick on you knee, all down to start and then branch out. Good luck and never give up Phil
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Post by yannick on Feb 24, 2010 14:20:07 GMT -5
thanks alot guys. To be honest I too suck at sining but i want to be able to sing a ballad to my girl I guess I will keep it at playing for the moment then. Wish I had "the" talent I read about at some places but I am pretty sure I dont Thanks a ton Kc
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Post by pwfirst on Feb 25, 2010 14:06:42 GMT -5
Pick your song and practice practice practice. When lisening to your song strum on your knee to start. The more you do it the better it will sound. What is your ballad? Phil
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Post by yannick on Feb 25, 2010 16:27:57 GMT -5
I really like wonderful tonight and with or without you
kc
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Post by Mohikanas on Feb 25, 2010 17:29:45 GMT -5
I really like wonderful tonight and with or without you kc Trully wonderful ballads there mate. Personally, what I'd like to add is that when I tried to sing along my playing for the first time, the singing without playing was alot better (speaking of the voice) than while singing. Its a good method to play and sing over the original song, it'll be easier to remember where to step in, and the rythm, in other words.. give your brain more options to remember the thing soon you'll notice that some of the song fragments you can actualy acomplish automatically, without thinking too much about it. It helps me a lot.
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Post by pwfirst on Feb 25, 2010 20:56:30 GMT -5
Great choice. Phil
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ixoye777
New Member
Enjoying the blues
Posts: 7
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Post by ixoye777 on Mar 5, 2010 21:55:43 GMT -5
Learn some Beatles tunes to start out. A song like Hard days night is a great beginner tune to learn on.
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Post by lesblues on Mar 6, 2010 13:44:13 GMT -5
Learn some Beatles tunes to start out. A song like Hard days night is a great beginner tune to learn on. On a seperate note, that is a really pretty guitar you have there ixoye!
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chazb
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by chazb on Mar 17, 2010 20:49:12 GMT -5
a metronome goes a long way as well
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