Matching sound to song lyrics

Hi everyone. I’m going to try my best to explain this since I’m pretty much still a beginner. Does anyone know the best way to go about playing the actual lyrics to a song on an electric guitar. I’m not sure if there are actual tabs for that or if it’s all just of matter practicing and having a better ear for all the chords and notes. I’ve seen a couple videos where the guitarist plays the lyrics to the song and not just the chords and what not and it seemed pretty cool so I’d like to be able to learn that. Thanks

Originally Posted by: mikeohara984

Hi everyone. I’m going to try my best to explain this since I’m pretty much still a beginner. Does anyone know the best way to go about playing the actual lyrics to a song on an electric guitar. I’m not sure if there are actual tabs for that or if it’s all just of matter practicing and having a better ear for all the chords and notes. I’ve seen a couple videos where the guitarist plays the lyrics to the song and not just the chords and what not and it seemed pretty cool so I’d like to be able to learn that. Thanks

Totally makes sense; you want to play the vocal melody. I'm not sure if I've ever seen guitar tabs for vocal melodies so your next best bet is to know how to read sheet music and learn from there...which I can't really do so............

A lot of times you'll see sheet music that also includes acompanying chords/notes above the notation which can help get you a root note.

Not much help...sorry...

Originally Posted by: mikeohara984

Does anyone know the best way to go about playing the actual lyrics to a song on an electric guitar.[/quote]

As Jeff replied, it sounds like you want to play the vocal melody of the song.

Originally Posted by: mikeohara984I’m not sure if there are actual tabs for that or if it’s all just of matter practicing and having a better ear for all the chords and notes.

Either way works. :) You can buy the sheet music & read the vocal melody. Or, pick it out by ear. However . . .

[quote=mikeohara984]

I’ve seen a couple videos where the guitarist plays the lyrics to the song and not just the chords and what not and it seemed pretty cool so I’d like to be able to learn that.

This is where things get tricky very quickly! When you say "plays the lyrics . . . and not just the chords", it sounds like you mean chord melody style.

Essentially, this is a classical guitar style. When done to pop tunes it is usually called chord melody. The basic process is:

1. Play the melody of the tune on the upper strings, so it will ring prominently as the top note of any chord played.

2. Find chords that match the melody, that support it harmonically.

So, this is a fairly complex level of playing we are talking about. Here on GT, I encourage you to check out my tutorials on both basic classical guitar & jazz chord melody playing.

A little beginner classical guitar style will give you a strong foundation of understanding & physically playing the guitar in a way that clearly separates the melody from the accompaniment.

[br]This section on my instructor directory has some beginner classical tutorials.

https://www.guitartricks.com/instructor.php?input=155014#Classical_Guitar_Beginner_Exercises

And the next section takes those basic melodies & skills & builds them into simple arrangements with melody & chords, or bass lines.

If you already have a good grasp on the basics of guitar playing, then skip down to Simple Pieces for Beginner. These tunes in particular will give you a great foundation to understand how chord melody style works.

'Mary Had A Little Lamb' Learning To Orchestrate

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=166

Mozart 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star'

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=167

'Ode To Joy'[br]https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1662

We also have Chet Atkins style playing tutorials here. Chet was a master of chord melody playing!

https://www.guitartricks.com/search.php?search=chet+atkins

These Doc Watson arrangements are also in that style.

https://www.guitartricks.com/search.php?query=doc+watson

And this tutorial on ragtime guitar is a great primer that those kind of techniques.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=975

I also cover solo guitar,"chord melody" style arrangements in some of my jazz tunes.

https://www.guitartricks.com/instructor.php?input=155014#Jazz_Songs

Hope that helps helps! Have fun!

Hope this helps! Please ask more if necessary. Have fun!

Thanks guys. I figured it had more to do with melodies and the more I keep going and practicing then the more I’ll learn from it. Greatly appreciated

Don't forget Elton John and Bernie Taupin. They are another word and music team.