So After one year

of taking private lessons, I feel like I'm pretty much past "Dude, you really suck at this." and graduated to "Dude, you still suck at this, but not as bad."

I'm still rather weak on rhythm, but getting better. I can't quite sing along though to my playing. When I do that, I have a tendency to go from the Rhythm to trying to strum the melody. It seems some songs (8 days a week), you kind of strum the melody, while others (Me & Bobby McGee) you don't, so that confuses me.

My instructor keeps trying to get me to sing along while I play, but I haven't been able to. I could do it, no problem, if I got drunk first. :-) I think if I was able to, he'd be able to help me with where I'm going wrong.

So is there any advice on how to get good at singing and playing at the same time, or am I still just too green?

Also, what are some skills I should have after one year. I've learned all the open chords, but still struggle switching between them. I've learned bends, he's began working with me on the I-IV-V method of learning to play by ear, but I've not yet touched things such as barre chords, pull-ups, or a lot of that type of thing.

In my mind, I just feel like I'm progressing slowly, my fingers still pretty mechanical and stiff when they move across the fretboard.

Without knowing how many hours you have spent practicing per week for that year, there is no way to compare what level you should be at. When you take lesions they do seem to go slow, there is a reason for that. There is a lot of new stuff coming at you, it takes a while to understand it.

Compare yourself to singing and playing, they seem like simple things to do and alone they are. Your mind and fingers fight for processing time when you start playing. Just like the fingers and voice fight for processing time when you start singing. Go slow take your time, you will get it. You are still just green.

The next time you site down to play chords close your eyes. When you can make the chords with your eyes shut, how much processing time will you free up not having to watch your fingers make the next chord. You can trust them to go where they need to. Singing along becomes far easier at that point.

A new world will open when you learn bar chords, also start learning each note on the guitar neck now if you are not. That will help you more later than you may be able to understand now. This site is loaded with videos and teachers to help your reach your learning goals.

Learning to play takes a lot of time, this site will allow you to rush your self, try not to do it!

Or not....

Thanks, that helps. I'll give it a shot.

Hi Randy..
Try humming with the tunes.. That takes the lyrics out, so less thing to concentrate on.
You might also get with the bar chord as soon as you can. IMO. Major chords A,D,E progression works good for a start. Too me they are real fun to play with.
also E, A, B both major. Just have fun with them..
Hope this is a bit of help.

You are trying to do 2 things at once. For it to work, one of them has to become automatic. The easiest thing to make automatic is the guitar part since it is machanical in nature. Think about driving a car and all of the things you do automatically. You can hold a conversation, or sing, while driving.

So like Haghj500 says, work on making your guitar playing automatic.

I can't sing, so I don't have this problem :-). I admire those that can sing and play though!

Try to trick yourself. I played Blackbird for some people at work...sort of a spontaneous thing. As I was playing, somebody asked me a question. It wasn't until after I was done playing that I realized I repsonded and kept playing...and didn't miss a beat. Normally if somebody talks to me I have to stop playing to respond. I'll bet if I started thinking about it at the time, the wheels would have fallen off!

Perhaps you could trick yourself humming like compart1 suggests and as that feels good, strart bringing the words in.

Just some more ideas and insight. Hope some of that helps.