I think I've been waiting for this lesson ever since I picked up a guitar. Sounds crazy but true. I've always felt that other people didn't struggle with singing over finger picking, except me. Simple yet amazingly pragmatic advice. I'll approach each new song with more confidence as of this lesson. Thanks, Tom!
Genius, this is exactly what I was looking for. Beginning picker here who's played guitar a long time, but wondered how the heck people can do both at the same time (while thumping the bass notes with the thumb)! I'm going to be working on this, and checking out your website and lessons - thanks!
Many thanks for the useful method, Tom. I'll put your guidance to use. When I recently learned a few tunes from your DVDs (Tampa Red, Charley Patton) I worked on the guitar parts first, until they were familiar enough that I didn't have to think about them constantly. Then I put the singing over it, syncing and fine-tuning as I went.
I do some of the same things you suggest to "cut down on the work for the brain". Some other things that help me. Instead of talk singing , I just hum or scat sing. That way, I'm working on the rhythm sync and melody memorization without the speech part of the brain having to engage. Another variation is to loop an practice phrase, but no vocal. Next loop, keep time with the foot, and the base line, and sing the same phrase with the right rhythm. This sounds like a call and response. Keep alternating: 1. guitar , no vocal, 2. vocal , no guitar, or very minimal guitar.
Tom, this video is the best explanation of how to sing the blues and play. Last year I took 2 voice classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music - good classes but they were meant to prepare me for Carnegie Hall! Your description of dividing songs into digestible bites to sing and play repeatedly and an enhanced talking style answered my questions about singing the blues. Many thanks.
I have the opposite problem. I have neglected strumming so much in favour of finger style to the point that I have forgotten how to strum 😄 so it’s much easier for me to sing and pick.
This is really helpful advice thank you Tom, I will give your method a go. It's reassuring to hear that you used to take weeks or months to learn to synch singing and playing on a song... this gives me hope! Like most things to do with learning to play music, I guess it's about having patience to start with. That's hard when you already know how to play the guitar well and to sing reasonably well; I expect to be able to do both together but can't!
Thanks Sean. It was the hardest part for me, harder than learning to play guitar. Patience is key but patience built on the premise that you will eventually get it…just a matter of when.
@@PlayCountryBlues You're welcome - it's a solid, practical way to acquire this skill. No gimmicks, no short cuts or miracle fixes, but this will work. And you're honest - it takes time and discipline. I wish all youtubers were this honest.
Hey tom do have you ever played harmonica? Cause I do a lot of times along with picking the guitar using a harmonica rack I usually do it quite often when playing country or delta blues music
Hi. thanks for that, it took me a long time to be able to sing and play the guitar at the same time without losing the rhythm. When playing without drums there is the need to respect bars and not miss a beat. To solve that I got used to alternatively tap my feet, first beat with the right foot, second beat with the left and so on, have you any other tips ? Or does it just come naturally to you ?
I don’t count when I play so I’m not focusing on beats per measure. I go by feel and staying in the groove. You can feel when you need to start signing, most of the time. If you miss the cue, keep playing through the measure til you reach the next cue and then start singing. Metronome is always a beneficial tool after you've got the basics down.
Yes! Thanks Tom!
thx tom working on it
joe
Tom is such a great Teacher and I can’t even begin to describe how much better I’ve gotten since learning from his videos. Thanks for all you do Tom!!
Thanks Daniel!
Thank you for teaching!!!
I think I've been waiting for this lesson ever since I picked up a guitar. Sounds crazy but true.
I've always felt that other people didn't struggle with singing over finger picking, except me.
Simple yet amazingly pragmatic advice. I'll approach each new song with more confidence as of this lesson.
Thanks, Tom!
Genius, this is exactly what I was looking for. Beginning picker here who's played guitar a long time, but wondered how the heck people can do both at the same time (while thumping the bass notes with the thumb)! I'm going to be working on this, and checking out your website and lessons - thanks!
Many thanks for the useful method, Tom. I'll put your guidance to use. When I recently learned a few tunes from your DVDs (Tampa Red, Charley Patton) I worked on the guitar parts first, until they were familiar enough that I didn't have to think about them constantly. Then I put the singing over it, syncing and fine-tuning as I went.
I do some of the same things you suggest to "cut down on the work for the brain". Some other things that help me. Instead of talk singing , I just hum or scat sing. That way, I'm working on the rhythm sync and melody memorization without the speech part of the brain having to engage. Another variation is to loop an practice phrase, but no vocal. Next loop, keep time with the foot, and the base line, and sing the same phrase with the right rhythm. This sounds like a call and response. Keep alternating: 1. guitar , no vocal, 2. vocal , no guitar, or very minimal guitar.
Tom, this video is the best explanation of how to sing the blues and play. Last year I took 2 voice classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music - good classes but they were meant to prepare me for Carnegie Hall! Your description of dividing songs into digestible bites to sing and play repeatedly and an enhanced talking style answered my questions about singing the blues. Many thanks.
Thanks David. Happy to hear it was helpful. I tried to do a series of workshops at Old Town, I’m in Mn, but it never worked out. Cool spot though.
Well said, played, sung !
This is so helpful! It's always been a mystery to me how to approach it, thank you!
Many thanks Tom. I love your guitar lessons and clear explanations. I always learn a lot from you.
Thank you!
Thanks, Tom. I've been struggling with this issue for a long time. It's a whole different ball game than just strumming and singing.
Indeed it is. Slow and steady.
I have the opposite problem. I have neglected strumming so much in favour of finger style to the point that I have forgotten how to strum 😄 so it’s much easier for me to sing and pick.
This is really helpful advice thank you Tom, I will give your method a go. It's reassuring to hear that you used to take weeks or months to learn to synch singing and playing on a song... this gives me hope! Like most things to do with learning to play music, I guess it's about having patience to start with. That's hard when you already know how to play the guitar well and to sing reasonably well; I expect to be able to do both together but can't!
Thanks Sean. It was the hardest part for me, harder than learning to play guitar. Patience is key but patience built on the premise that you will eventually get it…just a matter of when.
"It's reassuring to hear" is spot on, Sean.
This is great advice, really practical and useful.
Thanks Rod!
@@PlayCountryBlues You're welcome - it's a solid, practical way to acquire this skill. No gimmicks, no short cuts or miracle fixes, but this will work. And you're honest - it takes time and discipline. I wish all youtubers were this honest.
Hey tom do have you ever played harmonica? Cause I do a lot of times along with picking the guitar using a harmonica rack I usually do it quite often when playing country or delta blues music
I have not. I’m not a harmonica fan.
Hi. thanks for that, it took me a long time to be able to sing and play the guitar at the same time without losing the rhythm. When playing without drums there is the need to respect bars and not miss a beat.
To solve that I got used to alternatively tap my feet, first beat with the right foot, second beat with the left and so on, have you any other tips ? Or does it just come naturally to you ?
I don’t count when I play so I’m not focusing on beats per measure. I go by feel and staying in the groove. You can feel when you need to start signing, most of the time. If you miss the cue, keep playing through the measure til you reach the next cue and then start singing.
Metronome is always a beneficial tool after you've got the basics down.