advice on singing AND playing... at the same time.

[Tony W]

your voice and guitar are 2 completely seperate instruments.

 Once I came to grips with that, I found it easier for me to make sure I had the guitar riffs down 100% prior to trying to sing along.

 hopefully this helps.

 Dmann.

And that my friend is exactly what I've been having a difficult time with. I suppose I should spend time singing songs when not playing in order to get them down. I've found that while my girlfriend has a terrific ear for music, I am not so blessed. I have only tried singing WHILE playing, and I'm very conscious of how bad I sound. If I don't put in the time training my voice, that will never change.

I'm going to force myself to be the "idiot" in the other car that everyone looks at and laughs at while driving down the road. I guess they will only see me once in their life right? I'll just drive and belt out lyrics.

[Davo]

Practice helps alot, if you know the song well enough that one part (singing or playing) is second nature.
 Its MUCH easier to play rhythm than lead while singing.

[Guitar-Maniac]

haha you are not alone impudent, i can't even speak while playing the guitar!

[Tony W]

Hey, somebody dug deep to find this one to move over! I'm ashamed to admit, I still only sing in the car. I have not practiced a cover song in ages. I got a bit side tracked with the wonderful world of blues!

[Wiley]

  Well when you did the 12 days of Christmas you sounded fine!!  You whould work your voice more.  You also do an out standing schwartnegger imitaion!!   Remember?
PJ

[Tony W]

I have no idea what you're talking about PJ...... 

[Glenn Mitchell]

Yes practice is it essentially.
Once you have both the instrument and vocals in a song really "down" you can mentally switch your attention back and forth as you play and as needed.
It's fun to practice keeping tempo with the instrument while slightly slowing and speeding up the vocal timing to give expression.
I ran into this years ago doing Beatles stuff. Try singing while doing the the riffs to "I Feel Fine." Once the riffs are second nature it almost feels as if someone else is playing that part and you can focus on the singing.

[Satchwood]

Speaking of 12 days of Christmas......   Hey TonyW - I think you should cover the song Bohemian Rhapsody opera style LOL!
 

[Tony W]

LOL Satch! believe me I do when I'm in the privacy of my own element! That was a fun night!

Glenn, Thanks for the tips!

[henwrench]

practice, practice, practice..... and when you've finished, practice. Never forget, when The Beatles were doing Hamburg and no one had ever heard of them, they played 12 hours+ a day for about 6 months... you're gonna get pretty good after that. And that was just the start...

                                         henwrench