How to Play Guitar and Sing at the Same Time

Learning an easy method to accompany yourself on guitar (also often called "singing and playing guitar at the same time") is undoubtedly among the more important goals for more than a few beginner and intermediate guitarists. It's so cool to be able to sit around with friends at social occasion and have a sing-along It's also an obvious benefit when beginning or trying out for a band.

Is a Superb Voice Really Necessary to Play Guitar and Sing?

The brief answer is "No." Of course, you need to be able to hold a tune. However, being able to sing like some incredible recording musician vocal celebrity is just not vital by any stretch of the imagination! The truth is, some of the biggest singer-songwriters ever, such as Bob Dylan or Neil Young, do not have especially great voices nor are they particularly amazing guitarists. But, boy do they know the right way to write and sing a tune! It does not make any difference in the slightest whether you want to simply play and sing guitar at parties or you wish to write your own songs for the entire world, do not let an average singing voice stop you. Singing is one of those rare things that is based on heart-felt emotion.

Now, of course, you do need to be able to sing fairly well, however that is simply a matter of training. Take a few singing classes and study all the basics of how to sing and you'll discover your voice expands dramatically. Then, determine whether or not you need to take your singing even more seriously or if that is enough for just singing at the same time as playing guitar.

Select a Track and Work Out How to Play the Chords

The normal tendency for many learners is to attempt to play guitar and sing at the same time too soon. That is really, really not a particularly clever idea. What you should do is learn how to play the guitar part first. And then learn to sing the vocals. And then put them together.

Your first step, then, is to choose a track you like with comparatively simple chord progressions and straight-forward chord changes. It does not matter which one you choose. It really doesn't. There are tons of straight-forward songs for beginner guitarists. Just one thing you'll be able to learn how to play the chords to reasonably simply, and which you genuinely like. Oh, and which does not have a super-hard vocal part. Whatever you select needs to be do-able. You don't want to spend all this time and then not even be able to sing the vocals.

Once you've chosen your tune to focus on (and you must only focus on ONE at a time!), spend as much time as you need and practise until you can play the guitar part back-to-front, up-and-down. Don't simply focus on your fretting hand, either. Pay attention to your right hand: the rhythm patterns and your strumming technique. Practise, then practise some more without singing until you have learned how to play the guitar part and built up a type of "muscle memory," which means you can play it without taking a look at every chord change or slowing down.

Take the Tune You've Selected and Learn to Sing It

Next is to progress to learning how to sing it. Your first step right here is to commit the lyrics to memory. Do NOT try to play guitar and sing at the same time quite yet! Merely study the lyrics and pay attention to how the singer hits certain notes, holds other notes (and for how long), and puts across the emotion of the track.

When you have "the vibe" of the tune and you have learned the lyrics, you may need to record yourself singing along with the music. Yes, the thought of that in all probability sends shivers down your spine, however the truth is it is advisable know how your voice sounds and the places you require some extra focus and help if you're ever going to play guitar and sing in front of people.

Now to Put Both the Playing and Singing Together!

Okay, now you're ready to tackle putting together the two halves, playing and singing. Watch for the weird thing that will happen: You may start making mistakes within the chord progressions, you will forget the lyrics, you might get tripped up on simple sections of the song... All the parts that you had completely under control the day before, they're going to now be difficult again. Weird. It will seem hard at first (and, it is not an easy thing to do), as if your brain and hands just refuse to work together!

Take it easy. This is only a small adjustment and by slowing down and practising in a really deliberate and attentive fashion, you'll begin to get it fairly quickly. The danger here is frustration and boredom. Do NOT quit now and start learning a new song. Keep on with the plan and before you know it you'll find that you can play guitar and sing at the same time!