Singing and playing

[Connor Halpin]

I want to sing and play at the same time but I can’t. It’s just like something in my mind doesn’t want me to do it. I feel like I should at least be able to play and sing to smoke on the water, but nope lol

 

[Kevin Welton]

It takes practice, for now you could try getting the guitar part nailed before practicing to sing aswell! It helps when you don’t have to think much about playing the song at the same time

 

[idssdi]

For me it’should usually nailing the guitar part and knowing the lyrics very well so you dont have to think to much about the lyrics or the guitar parts

 

[Kirstin Deal]

What I found works best for me, personally, is playing the guitar part until it’s second nature and I no longer have to think about it. I then try to do the same with vocals. I’d play the guitar part until it is muscle memory and I no longer have to think about it, and I’d maybe put a bit more consciousness into the singing. I suppose you could do it the other way if that works best for you: have the lyrics memorized to the point where you can rely on your subconscious and you can make the notes you sing muscle memory which allows you to put more thought into the guitar playing if you need it. Whichever works best for you. What could be even better is making BOTH muscle memory and you don’t have to think about much at all.

 

[Angel Graves]

I agree with the comments here. Expanding on some of them, in my experience, I like to do guitar excersizes and vocal warmups at the same time. Additionaly, I’ll practice my guitar parts until muscle memory takes over and then focus more on the vocal parts.
You may want to keep in mind, if you are the front-person in your band, it’s better to take a pause where it makes sense in the song and have full control over your vocal part. Again, it takes a a productive type of practice regimen. Best wishes!

 

[Daniel Sobota]

My goal is to become a singer/guitarist in a band one day, so like James Hetfield, Matt Heafy and people like that. It’s a loooooong way to go though, haha. Besides guitar, I also practice screaming, because I can’t sing well yet. For singing it’s the best to have a vocal coach, and that’s what I’ll do, but for now I’ll focus on guitar learning first.
So my advice is to get a vocal coach once you’re able to play guitar decently. If you are already a decent guitar player, try to find a vocal coach asap.

 

[Jamie Burton]

I’m still trying to tackle this too. But I’ve found it really easy (and fun) just playing the root notes, and singing over the top, over and over, until it’s just natural.
After awhile, I throw in next few notes, and play them over and over whilst singing.
Then it’s a case of rinse and repeat

 

[Jake Young]

Just a tip you may find helpful..Ben from Breaking Benjamin said he used to and often still has to break the guitar parts down and figure out what word or words he’s singing over each chord or note