Software:How to know when one measure is up, while distracted (singing)?

Hi

I'm in the process of learning my first song (Walk down town).

I'm pretty good with the chord changes when i'm not trying to sing.

So my problem is that i seem not to be able to count 2x to 4 and at the same time do the singing and chord change. I know that this is a typical brain overload situation but we are in 2015 and i think a simple piece of software could do here massive help for the beginner like me.

My idea is that a software is listening to the microphone and has some chord progression input option. For Walk down town this would be:

4xC,4xC,4xG,4xG,4xC,4xC,4xG,4xG,4xC,4xC,4xG,4xG,4xC,4xC,4xG,4xG,4xC

So now when it detects a strum it counts of after 4 strums it could display "next Chord" or a Blue bar or whatever just to show that you need to change the chords now. This would also improve the speed of the "natural" learning to know when the chords are done eg: you strumed four times.

I know that every guitar sound different and so on but as the notes are universal it should be doable.

However a much more simpler solution would be to "pimp" the metronome app already on the site to show something that catches your attention when 4 "clicks" are done. Like a big Sign in Green "Chord change now" or something.

I believe this would help a great deal for the beginner to learn how to "feel" when 4 strums are done and reducing the amount of time it would take normal without such an app.

So what do you think of this idea ?

Also if you have general tipps on who to learn to know then 4 strums are done while doing other things like singing please don't hesitate to share your thoughts and findings.

Thanks

Are you trying to learn how to play the song and sing the song at the same time?

I think you are overcomplicating this. After a while you will hear when the chord change will come. You will feel when 2 measures are up.

I would suggest you link the word that is being sung when each chord change comes about. You can also try tapping your foot and emphasizing the 4th beat, signifying a new measure (assuming 4/4 time).

Try just tapping your foot. Add playing the guitar to that and counting out the measures using your foot taps. Then add humming the tune...then singing. Break it down to it's simplest form and add on each piece one at a time.

Right now these things feel complicated and overwhelming, but as time goes on it will be come more automatic.


I've been playing guitar for over 30 years. I am just now starting to sing backup while I'm playing. It's not easy!!! What I'm finding is when I sing, I forget about my guitar playing...but for that to happen it has to be automatic so it goes on auto pilot.

@JeffS65
That is excatly what im trying to do :-)

@maggior

Thanks for the idea with the humming. Good thinking.

Well with the linking the problem is that the sentence is too short so to speak so the first line:

C C
Take my hand

But i need the whole "Take my hand" for the first 4 strums. Also here would be a detailed chart with the breakdown (how many strums at what letter of the word) be helpful.

For the foot part, i found that curling my toes on the 4. beat works better for me as more emphasis gets lost over time...

Thank you a lot for the tipps so far. I'm really impressed with the speedy help and encouragement!

Originally Posted by: manuelsoukup@JeffS65
That is excatly what im trying to do :-)

Just to note, singing and playing at the same time is not easy to do. I've always avoided it myself...sad, I know.

People who do it flawlessly have been playing for some time and have confidence in their playing as well as their singing.

The point is really that, since you are just learning your first song, get one of the elements down. Specifically the guitar playing. You should learn the chords and groove by itself. Once you've got that, then overlay singing.

Depending on how good of a singer you are, it may be much easier to learn one at a time.

I mean, I've been playing a good long time but not singing for too long and still learning where my weaknesses are. Those places in my range that drop out and when I go sharp/flat. I habve decent pitch but not perfect.

At my church, one of the people who joined the 'band' is just learning piano and singing. She could be good at both but is not practiced in any of them yet and you can tell the struggle on trying to do both. I give her credit for sticking with it though. We have worked with her on listening for the groove and the changes. Most fall in to a natural pattern of some sort and you start to learn to 'feel for it'. She's starting to get that.

Just some random thoughts.

Hello Jeff,

I appreciate your comments. Very helpful indeed. Maybe i wait with singing till later.

My intentions is/was to make it easier for me to get into the "groove" and to know when a mearsure is up etc i think singing can help in this regard as you have markers where you are done with one measure and the next on starts.

However i really feel that i'm repulsed to let go of singing. So i think i will start with humming first.

If you have more thoughts/tipps who could help please don't hesitate to share.

Thanks a lot