singing

[beastlite03]

Why is it so hard to sing and play guitar at the same time and how long does it take to learn how to and are there any shortcuts?

[Coldchillin]

It's not, and it only is in the beginning. Just keep going with it. I HIGHLY recommend playing and singing with a recording cause if you lose your spot you can wait until you catch back in.

[Matty Boom]

there's something that will help you a ton (at least it helped me)...talking while i played, whether it's just reading a newspaper article while i was playing or carrying on a conversation, it really develops that dual coordination

[NPR]

Cause you need two brains to be able to do that!

You pretty much have to be able to put the guitar playing on auto pilot and then you can concentrate on your singing more.

[BaitChunker]

its really difficult in the beginning...its just something you need to work on....after that its keeping your voice cracking mid song...right

[2StepGranny]

Yeah, like everyone else said, it is rather hard in the beginning, but if the simplest way to do it is, just learn the a song that you already know the words to by heart. That can make it a little simpler. So the only thing that you really to worry about is keeping the rhythm while you sing. That's how I got use to it. But you may find it easier to do something else instead, like Matty said, talking to people while you play is also a great way to get good at it. Just my 2 cents

[Twostep13]

listen to the song you want to play A LOT, and notice where the singing is realated to what is being playeg so that you know the timing of when to sing... and practice to where your fingers sort of go by themselves.... thats how it is on jimi thing for me....they just kinda go.

[docjones]

yeah it takes a while to get it down...a easy song to try out that i first learned was Long Black Veil....hope this helps...peace

[thejoe]

or just put singing on autopilot

[eks8597]

Yeah, like everyone else said, it is rather hard in the beginning, but if the simplest way to do it is, just learn the a song that you already know the words to by heart. That can make it a little simpler. So the only thing that you really to worry about is keeping the rhythm while you sing. That's how I got use to it. But you may find it easier to do something else instead, like Matty said, talking to people while you play is also a great way to get good at it. Just my 2 cents

Yeah knowing the words is key, been trying to learn Grey Street. The guitar is automatic but I keep forgetting the words for some reason. I guess because it was never a real favorite of mine but It'd be fun to play D+T style with my friend I think.

[hopelessposeur]

Youve gotta learn the guitar portion of the song to the point where its second nature, where you can practically do it in your sleep. Kinda like what that other guy said; if you can talk to someone while youre playing (which I think is harder than actually singing the song; at least with singing your concentration is all in one place), youre there.
It took me forever to nail the end of LIOG when he says 'lie in our graves, dreaming of things, that we...', man, its so easy to lose it with the timing there. I actually have to keep my hand moving at normal speed above the strings just to keep the rhythm...
By far though, the proudest moment I've had was being able to hit the stone; NOTHING impresses guitar newbies (which is who I play with sometimes) more than picking fast notes and singing at the same time = )