How can I sing and play guitar simultaneously?

Question

Does anyone have advice on how to sing and play guitar at the same time? I've been playing electric guitar for 3 years now and I still find it very difficult to sing and keep rhythm to songs. I'm can play various song's such as Metallica's Fade to Black, several Satriani songs, and Hendrix.

Right now I'm learning My Hero and Everlong by FF and I just can't seem to sing and play at the same time. Does anyone have any tips? It could be that I haven't practiced it much but advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

All I can tell ya is just keep at it. For me, once I KNOW a song on the guitar, I can just let my fingers go on automatic pilot and focus most of my attention on the vocal, but I've mostly played in bands that did original material. Try practicing the song while mentally, but not out loud, doing the vocal. I've used that technique to prepare for gigs when we were trying out new material, and it's worked for me. Good luck and rock on!

Cheers

Answer 2

I have trouble playing with two hands on the piano.  I find the best thing for me to do is to master both hands, or the lyrics and the music, perfectly.  Like you could do it in you sleep.  Then divide the song into sections and work on doing the sections using both vocals and guitar.  Once you perfect a section, move on to the next.  Once you have mastered all the sections try putting them together!  This always seems to work for me, good luck and have fun!!

Answer 3

I have to agree with the second poster: while you play the song, sing the lyrics in your mind (that's what I do). Or you can play along with the recording and listen to words; notice where the words end on the chord progression, etc. (I do both methods).

But start with an easy strumming song then work your way up. I started with "Time of Your Life" and now it's relatively easy to sing and play at the same time.