Hey Jim, this is a totally normal problem and is hard for everyone until they get the hang of it.[br] [br]I recommend starting out by taking a very simple example (something like Mary Had A Little Lamb) and strumming whole notes on a single chord while just saying the words in rhythm. Nursery rhymes are good for this because the lyrics and rhythms are usually easy and memorable.

Then, change the strumming rhythm to half notes. Then, quarter, then 8ths. You can even do this anywhere by clapping your hands or tapping your fingers on your desk instead of strumming. Eventually you’ll be able to do it even on off beats and on more complex rhythms (mixtures of quarters and eighths) and chord changes.[br] [br]Since you can practice this anywhere, work on keeping one solid quarter note rhythm while singing (or talking the words in rhythm) along to any song you can think of, or any song that's playing in the background. If you’ve got your guitar handy you can even mute the strings with your left hand and just strum the muted strings with your right. You can add in chord changes later. Just break it down to basic steps one at a time.[br] [br]The SLOWER you can go doing all of this, the better. You’ll feel the rhythms lining up on certain beats. Just keep it VERY SIMPLE, one step at a time. Don’t try to jump into the deep end.[br] [br]Important: it’s not really about thinking about two rhythms at once. It’s more about training your subconscious to keep going while you shift your attention between two different things. Your singing will go on autopilot while you focus on the strum and vice versa. Eventually both will go on autopilot. It’s the same for drummers with all 4 limbs. Unless you are superhuman no one thinks of that many rhythms consciously at once. It’s “muscle memory” although that term is a bit misleading. It’s like driving or walking or anything else you learn to do without thinking about it consciously.[br] [br]Over time you will do so many variations of combined rhythms that it’ll just click and you won’t even know how you’re doing it. :)[br] [br]It’s a fun ability and you’ll get there if you just do it one very SIMPLE step at a time![br] [br]One last thing: there is a GREAT tutorial on singing and strumming on the 30 Day Singer site (owned by GuitarTricks) taught by Camille Van Niekerk. She breaks all of this system down into totally doable steps for anyone. http://www.30daysinger.com[br] [br]Keep at it! Keep it simple and you’ll get it!

-Carl.