Guitar and Singing Combined

Hey Bimmam!

Firstly, is it just how your vox sounds to you or are you having difficulty combining singing and playing?

If it is the former, then yes, singing lessons may help you get much more out of your vox! "Your" underlined because if you really can't sing, nothing will turn you into the next Pavarotti - PROBABLY! BUT, singing lessons will enable you to get the most out of what you've got.

If it is combining singing and playing and having difficulty with this, the only thing you can do is practice; practice and follow a couple of steps - when you perform a song, you usually start playing the guitar before you sing; when you sing try to hold both the rhythm of the song and the true melody with your vox and follow this with the guitar. The reasoning behind this is that most people's ears tune into the vox and will follow lyrics as long as they are sung true and in rhythm; once the performance of the lyrics is mastered, it stands as a guide for the accompanyment (the greatest accompanyists follow what the vocalist is doing anyway!)

To this end, it serves to spend time practicing lyrics unaccompanied.

I hope this answers your questions or gets you on the way to the answers you require. If you need more info, please get back and someone will be able to help!

Chons da!

Thanks for the feedback...

I dont have a problem singing with the guitar, i consider myself an average singer [bit on the shy side, sing in my own company only] and can keep the rythm of the song with the rythm of my guitar playing.  I suppose I just want to be better and was wondering had anyone got vocal lessons and what was their experience.

I understand what is said in the comments above and its helps, thanks...

I don't know.  I recently heard myself in a recording and while the guitar playing was so-so, my voice was simply awful.  It isn't going to stop me from singing though, and I think that's the key.  (unintentional pun, but I like it so left it in) 

If you are of an appropriate age, tell anyone listening to you what I do, "The more you drink, the better I sound."  Of course, use caution as we don't want to be responsible for road accidents or unfortunately placed tattooes.  Stop singing before they get too blotto. 

- Zurf

I have some songs on Youtube, have a listen, I'm not particulalry any good but all I ever want to do is have a singalong in a BBQ with family and friends anyway:

Crevs,Be careful telling too many people you play guitar, you are gonna be asked to play at weddings, funerals, babtisms and all
kinds of gigs.

Wlbaye leave a link for us, Ill listen to anything... [did a search under you name but that dosent guarantee I have the right person].

Crevs.1972 do you realise its a small world and you may get caught someday [you will probably leak info some night after a mind blowing perfromance at the family/friedns bbq combined with 1 shandy too many, lol], however, those who cant do cant mock...

Every chain has a weak link.  I guess you found the one in my plan.  I'm with you on that.  More than a couple of drinks and my fingers forget which hand they are attached to, and my voice starts singing verses out of order. 

- Zurf

Hi guys... hope you don't mind a "chick" on here!  LOL!  Anyhow, I just FINALLY picked up a guitar yesterday with the intention of learning how to strum out some chords (been many years I've picked one up... but never with determination).  I took voice lessons many moons ago - so I wanted to post to the question.  Obviously I can't tell you much about singing AND playing... except what I've seen.  My dad always played and sang... as the ultimate campfire guitarist (LOL).  He had a nice voice, tho nothing exceptional.  I learned to love music from him however.  For a long time I was happy just singing.. but now that he can't play so much any more (back/elbow issues) I feel it is time for me to learn.  I think the difference in my dad's singing and mine, AND music comprehension does come from the voice lessons I took.  I think voice lessons are excellent if you really want to learn how to stay on pitch, how to breathe properly to control when you take breaths and not sound choppy in your singing, and how to harmonize with your guitar.  If you don't know much about notes and such, it is an excellent way to learn!
-- just my opinion based on what I know... which to some is a lot, to others not so much! --

Ha ha!  Thanks!  I felt compelled to sign up and respond... but I was a little scared since it seems mostly guys on here!  I'm glad my lack of testosterone is not a problem for ya!  I shall return... very nice forum!!

There's a few women around Chordie, and more are surely welcome.  It's an equal opportunity playground.  Thanks for the bit of advice.  Keep it coming.

- Zurf

Hi mekidsmom and welcome to Chordie. I hope that you joining us will encourage a few more ladies to come and offer their advice on this and other topics. As Zurf says, ladies are welcome and so are young people too. We are quite a friendly bunch of folk and we don't bite .

Roger