Looking forward to this
jpachecolm
Enrolled, 2.0 PRO Posts: 40
I know that I've recently joined, but this is a topic that has given me frustration over the years. I just can't seem conquer this issue. I love playing guitar as much as I do singing, but when I put the two together, I lose my sense of timing in both areas. I don't want to jump around the volumes, but I may have to check this out sooner rather than later...
Comments
When you want to take a stab at this, one thing you will probably have to do is take it really slow and easy.
At first it can be hard to coordinate doing more than one thing at a time. I'm a drummer, and drummers have to coordinate both arms and legs when playing. Adding vocals is another challenge.
A good strategy for figuring this out is to play and sing in very slow motion and slowly add speed. You may have to do more challenging parts Line-by-Line, over and over before you can add any speed at all. Eventually you start to get the hang of it and it's more like riding a bicycle. Once you can rely on the feeling of doing everything at once, it will gradually come together.
That said, there are so many moving targets when you are learning to correctly sing using the KTVA method, the last thing you need to add right now is another moving target of an instrument.
Please make sure you're well on track with your vocalizing before adding another bowling pin to juggle!
When you do take the plunge, start out on simple songs. Simple to sing and simple to play. One step at a time... Then slowly add more challenging vocals and guitar chops.
Bob
Thanks for the response. I have been looking for a second guitarist, but it is so difficult to find someone who is on my experience level or someone who clicks with all of us. For now, I'm the singer and guitarist and I'm using my looper a lot. I want to fully immerse myself into KTVA so that I may be the singer I know I can be, but until I find a second guitarist, I guess the looper is my best bet. I hear what you say about song choice, I just have to make sure the other guys understand this too. We can't be playing Led Zeppelin and Rush for the time being.
jpachecolm,
It will all work out as time goes by! Like so many of the rest of us here, we decided at some point that we were going to become lead vocalists, and knew that in order to do so, we were going to have to vastly improve from our starting point.
You have come to the right place. KTVA is THE method that will get you there. It's a tall order to become a rockin' vocalist AND instrumentalist all in one big Ka-Chunk! It WILL happen, but we're talking about a LOT of work and dedication! Big-Time effort for Big-Time results!
Give yourself plenty of time, and be patient with yourself. Enjoy the journey. It's a lifelong trip!
Bob
I usually work the guitar parts first. Any solos I'll spend extra time on. I also simplify some of the rhythm parts that take place while singing if possible. If you don't have a lot of time I suggest printing out the lyrics and putting the song on repeat while driving. I do it all the time to help with lyrics/melody. You can also do it in the safety of your own home:). The key to both things guitar/voice is repetition. Work it as much as you can. If there are more difficult parts slow them down and repeat repeat repeat. Have fun!
Gotcha, I'll try that.
I haven't been back to this topic for awhile, but I was wondering if anyone could help me with song choice.I have always liked guitar parts that aren't just sustaining chords, but rather lines that follow what the vocals are doing. I know that I have to start out slowly, but does anyone have any songs I can use to better myself to sing/play simultaneously? I love rocking out, but it is a bit tricky if the guitar is busy. Green Day songs? Foo Fighters? Nirvana? Black Keys? Just thinking of 3 piece bands. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Muse is a 3-piece-band, off the top of my head.
Aren't vocalists more typically rhythm guitarists though? Exactly because it's so tricky to sing one melodic pattern while playing a complicated lead guitar melody simultaneously. I could be wrong though, my guitar skills are very modest to say the least.
But yeah hold on to that guitar man, even if you do get an extra guitarist. Being a multi-instrumentalist is awesome. I'm also planning to have my friend drill me into a capable guitarist while I train him to be a back-up singer haha
You could check out some Alter Bridge stuff. I know Myles Kennedy is an excellent guitarist and they often do acoustic sessions and songs.
Thanks for the response, it's good to hear from others who are in similar situations. Myles is awesome at both, too bad Slash stole him from Tremonti!!! I'm getting there with the vocals, but like you, I need a little more practice before I start gigging, yes that is a word. I've always been a guitarist who dabbled in vocals, but I feel like I'm ready to take the plunge and do both. Tamplin is really helping and I hope to take a lesson soon and asking him the question of doing both is one of the first things I will ask him......