Whats the trick to singing/playing simultaneously?

[ghodaddyyo]

I've always neglected singing and playing at the same time(except for some simple backups) simply because I don't have the coordination. I can do it if the rhythm is a simple steady strum, but if the rhythm is stutterd with percussive attacks or broken rhythms like say 3/4 time, both my playing and singing fall apart.

Any tips?

[geoffreyt]

ghodaddyyo

[geoffreyt]

Sorry ghodaddyyo, I dont mean to be disrespectful, but thats a classic! I have no answers as Im not at your level.

[Sixstring]

I've been in a band in one form or another for 12+ years, handling lead vocals and rhythm (occasionally lead) guitar duties. The "trick" may vary depending on who you talk to, but for me it comes down to being so absolutely comfortable with one of the two parts, vocals or guitar, that you can focus on one of them and just let the other flow. It can vary depending on which part is more difficult. Generally I would recommend focusing on the harder of the two- but you MUST be able to perform the other in your sleep so it doesn't ruin your concentration when you're on the spot.

The fun begins when you can do both without thinking about them- then you can get completely lost in the music. But, as with anything worthwhile, the key is practice, practice, practice.

Curious- do you write your own material? I find that if I've written the song, I can remember it much easier than if someone else wrote it. Must be something about the intimacy of the songwriting process that causes me to absorb it deeper.

[Bluice]

I'll second Sixstring-its also very easy to overload the old cabbage by trying to do it all. Thats why most lead guitarists that sing don't sing in the middle of a blistering solo. You have to be as confident with the vocals as you are with your guitar-if either part is shaky,both will suffer. Something to remember-your audience has a one track mind just like you do. Therefore they are listening to guitar or vocals. If the vocals are important,ease back on the guitar and project the vocals. If you're doing backup vocals or do-wahs then your guitar playing can be brought to the forefront. Don't sweat it. Thats why they make multitrack recording equipment.

[ghodaddyyo]

I do write my own songs, but I find I compromise on the guitar playing to accomodate my "even" sense of rhythm. I play a lot of covers as well and that's where I discovered I have difficulties playing and singing to songs with an "odd" rhythm.

Example: 4 beat measure, 1 chord per beat = no problem. 4 beat measure, 3 chords to cover the measure = big problems.

Anytime the rhythm is stuttered with percussive scrapes, mixed beats, string skipping, it throws me off bad. I just started to sing while I play, so any tips you guys give is greatly appreciated.

[CyberCobre]

do-wahs??? Ewwwwwww. YUK. http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/dead.gif

[CyberCobre]

Ghodaddyo:

Take it from SixString.
Playing piano and singing has got to be as difficult as playing the guitar and singing, playing piano being a polyphonic experience. And try it working four full staves (two bass, two treble that you are keeping track of.) :) First, MEMORIZE THE INTRUMENTAL PART SO YOU CAN PLAY IT IN YOUR SLEEP. Second, MEMORIZE THE VOCAL PART TILL YOU CAN SING IT IN YOUR SLEEP and be able to sing it while juggling, chewing gum, and jumping rope at the same time. Then you are ready to put the two together. The mind CAN multi-track simultaneously - ask any drummer who isn't just a thwacka-thwacka-thwacker. Making the mind do it is just a matter of practicing doing it to get the brain to plug in and use the ability. Again, start slow and do the singing and playing simultaneously, working out the rough spots with a persistence worthy of sainthood. Then do it again WITH the stage antics required to MAKE THE SHOW.

In actually performing at speed, you will find that, having practiced it thoroughly, with all the stage antics added, it will all come together. You will find that having iced all the stuff, that it intermeshes magically and that, in actuality, what the mind does is assign importance of each tract of attention where the attention is needed most at the moment - on the guitar, the vocals or the antics, sometimes 2 of those, sometimes just relaxed because all of them are easy.

By the sounds of it, I think you really have a problem dealing with rhythms and less than common phrasing and technique. If there is a weak spot in your playing or musical ability there, then you need to master that before you can get it to come together as a finished musician.