Singing while playing guitar

alancr

Hello,

A lot of time when I sing live, I am also playing the guitar. I'm about 3 weeks into the program and have noticed some vocal improvements. However, I feel like I'm not singing as effectively when playing the guitar. The rhythmic issue of doing both at the same time isn't a big problem. It's the breathing. I feel like I'm not breathing as deeply as I should be. For most of my range, I don't really notice a difference. But for higher notes, there is a difference. The support I need is not quite there and I end up straining more than I should. Without the guitar, it's no issue.

Any suggestions? Surely somebody here can relate or has made improvements in this area. Thank you.

Alan

highmtn

Although I'm primarily a drummer, I do play some guitar, and I usually do my workouts with a guitar.

Based on what you are saying about the high notes, I think that maybe you should also always have your guitar strapped-on so that you can related good support to having your guitar on.

I know that it's easier for me to connect with my feelings of support when I have a guitar there. I can feel the support and the guitar at the same time. I can associate having a guitar on with good support, including the high notes.

You may already be doing your exercises with a guitar on, but if not, give it a try. Try to embed the same feelings of support when you top out on the scales to what you do when you sing and play guitar.

All the Best.

Bob

alancr

Interesting. Something I hadn't thought of, but this would be easy to pull off. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tip!

highmtn

@alancr

Another nice thing about this is that if I'm playing the chords along with Ken, I'm more aware of what scale I'm singing. If I stop the playback to repeat an exercise, I can play the chord for myself.