Need help
Ok, so I have been playing for awhile. I know a lot but my technique is bad due to playing sloppy metal most the time. I am getting into acoustic and I really want to learn to play and sing. My main problems are timing and figuring out strum patterns. The second is playing and singing I always have trouble because naturally my singing starts to mimic the guitar pattern and it sounds static and not right. Does anyone have tips? would investing in guitar and singing lessons be worth it?
# 1
Although I cannot give you advise on singing and guitar playing since I don't do that, I hope I can help you with your strumming and technique.
Even though my advice is very basic, but it works. When you play sloppy just slow it down at a tempo that it isn't sloppy. Keep praciticing at this tempo and gradually speed it up, only if you keep the rhythm tight and right!
When I started playing Metal I only kept playing out of my capability and was playing really sloppy! When I slowed things down and took my time it was really improving!
For strumming I would like to suggest a DVD that really was about everything I needed for figuring out strumming. Most important thing was to keep the hand moving and counting (depending on 8th note strumming, 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &, or 16th note strumming 1e&a2e&a3e&a4e&a ).
But this DVD was from really awesome tutor from London, you may perhaps know him from Youtube, his name is Justin Sandercoe.
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/PR-007-Strumming.php
Got me rid of every strumming problem I had. First I was nicknamed mister robot arm but after that I really improved. It also got me rid of thinking the down up down up way of thinking of strumming and rather feeling the strumming pattern. You can learn LOADS of strumming patterns but I think this DVD covers rather the technique behind strumming and that's WAY more important then learning 2000 strumming patterns.
JJ
Edit: But since I'm not a full access member here, maybe a teacher or someone else from this website can guide you into some strumming lessons on this website :-)
Even though my advice is very basic, but it works. When you play sloppy just slow it down at a tempo that it isn't sloppy. Keep praciticing at this tempo and gradually speed it up, only if you keep the rhythm tight and right!
When I started playing Metal I only kept playing out of my capability and was playing really sloppy! When I slowed things down and took my time it was really improving!
For strumming I would like to suggest a DVD that really was about everything I needed for figuring out strumming. Most important thing was to keep the hand moving and counting (depending on 8th note strumming, 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &, or 16th note strumming 1e&a2e&a3e&a4e&a ).
But this DVD was from really awesome tutor from London, you may perhaps know him from Youtube, his name is Justin Sandercoe.
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/PR-007-Strumming.php
Got me rid of every strumming problem I had. First I was nicknamed mister robot arm but after that I really improved. It also got me rid of thinking the down up down up way of thinking of strumming and rather feeling the strumming pattern. You can learn LOADS of strumming patterns but I think this DVD covers rather the technique behind strumming and that's WAY more important then learning 2000 strumming patterns.
JJ
Edit: But since I'm not a full access member here, maybe a teacher or someone else from this website can guide you into some strumming lessons on this website :-)
# 2
Hi Nauthiz616...
JJ90 sent you in the right direction.. I took a look at Sandercoe page and learn a bit myself.. The following link will get you to the demo on strumming..
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/PR-008-RUST2.php
Good luck and keep on strumming..
Gordon..
JJ90 sent you in the right direction.. I took a look at Sandercoe page and learn a bit myself.. The following link will get you to the demo on strumming..
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/PR-008-RUST2.php
Good luck and keep on strumming..
Gordon..
# 3
In response to compart1. That is Really Useful Strumming Techniques part 2.
That one covers using accents and more advanced sixteen note stumming.
For the basic technique and REALLY getting the common strumming TECHNIQUE down I would highly advise going with his Really Useful Strumming Techniques Part 1, which I linked in my previous response. For a demo of RUST 1 see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhUop_DwyU
But again, if some teacher or other student knows strumming lessons here on GT that could also be useful for you I suppose. But I haven't seen a DVD like RUST1 from Sandercoe as good explained and without useless bull, like the that one.
What it did for me is that I finally got over the DOWN UP UP DOWN UP - way of strumming. Now I can easily pick up strumming by ear withouth thinking the UP DOWN UP strumming way. It's just a automatic natural response now, and that's what I really wanted. Delivery was splendid, customer service also great.
Not that I'm trying to force you or bombard you with this product but it's just awesome :-)
JJ
That one covers using accents and more advanced sixteen note stumming.
For the basic technique and REALLY getting the common strumming TECHNIQUE down I would highly advise going with his Really Useful Strumming Techniques Part 1, which I linked in my previous response. For a demo of RUST 1 see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhUop_DwyU
But again, if some teacher or other student knows strumming lessons here on GT that could also be useful for you I suppose. But I haven't seen a DVD like RUST1 from Sandercoe as good explained and without useless bull, like the that one.
What it did for me is that I finally got over the DOWN UP UP DOWN UP - way of strumming. Now I can easily pick up strumming by ear withouth thinking the UP DOWN UP strumming way. It's just a automatic natural response now, and that's what I really wanted. Delivery was splendid, customer service also great.
Not that I'm trying to force you or bombard you with this product but it's just awesome :-)
JJ
# 4
Ok...I'll have a go at this one...everyone has given you advice on improving your rhythm playing so I'll have a go at the other bit...
Some people just cant play and sing at the same time...BB King is a very good example...he doesn't even play rhythm while he's singing...his lead lines just come in between the vocals...!!! Not saying everyone is like this but it does happen...
I don't know what level of player you are but I would guess that you still have to think about what you are playing as you play it...in my experience this sort of syncs the brain and the playing and the singing into one big lump. My advice would be to learn a song so well on the acoustic that you just don't have to think about what you are playing anymore...this frees up the brain to concentrate on the singing...try something really simple like knocking on heavens door...just 3 chords...another bit of advice is to learn the chords until you can play the song with your eyes closed...If you can play a song without looking at either hand then you are playing from pure muscle memory and not using your brain...this should leave your brain free to figure out the singing...and disconnect it from the rhythm you're playing...it's not easy to do two things at once but it gets easier if you can do one of them in your sleep...!!!
Hope this helps...
Craig...
Some people just cant play and sing at the same time...BB King is a very good example...he doesn't even play rhythm while he's singing...his lead lines just come in between the vocals...!!! Not saying everyone is like this but it does happen...
I don't know what level of player you are but I would guess that you still have to think about what you are playing as you play it...in my experience this sort of syncs the brain and the playing and the singing into one big lump. My advice would be to learn a song so well on the acoustic that you just don't have to think about what you are playing anymore...this frees up the brain to concentrate on the singing...try something really simple like knocking on heavens door...just 3 chords...another bit of advice is to learn the chords until you can play the song with your eyes closed...If you can play a song without looking at either hand then you are playing from pure muscle memory and not using your brain...this should leave your brain free to figure out the singing...and disconnect it from the rhythm you're playing...it's not easy to do two things at once but it gets easier if you can do one of them in your sleep...!!!
Hope this helps...
Craig...
# 5
I would agree with Marshallmk1.
I play and sing a lot, it is my favorite thing to do. What I find is that it only works when I have the playing part down cold. If I am struggling with the playing, I can't sing.
I would second his recommendation to try knocking on heaven's door or something similar. I would even recommend you just strum each chord once per measure and get the singing right first, then start adding in more strumming.
Most people get stuck by trying to get too good too early. So please break it down some, log some success, and then improve from there.
Hope that helps.
Jon
I play and sing a lot, it is my favorite thing to do. What I find is that it only works when I have the playing part down cold. If I am struggling with the playing, I can't sing.
I would second his recommendation to try knocking on heaven's door or something similar. I would even recommend you just strum each chord once per measure and get the singing right first, then start adding in more strumming.
Most people get stuck by trying to get too good too early. So please break it down some, log some success, and then improve from there.
Hope that helps.
Jon
# 6
By the way, I was sure Lisa McCormick would have a tutorial on this topic and she doesn't. Maybe something she can add in future... :)
# 7
I guess another thing that can help you learning how to sing and play at once is to practice polyrhythms, or simultaneous sounding of two or more independent rhythms. You can do it just by tapping your hands over a table or your thighs. Once your brain is comfortable with that, it will be easier to dissociate your playing from your singing. I can tell music academy is not a must, but it sure helped me being a better musician. Keep practicing and you'll get where you want!
# 8