I know — yet ANOTHER question…..

[Bill_Brown]

Hi @the-old-coach 👋 For me, first it’s about knowing who’s version of the song that I want to play (and sing). From there, knowing the lyrics & tempo, then how the chords (tab) fit in with all of that😱 Baby steps – you can’t expect to go in running, that just creates havoc within yourself and leads to defeat (I wish @jumpinjeff could say this in his philosophical terms – it would sound a lot better). So just think baby steps for putting it all together👍

[N-lightMike]

The simple answer Mark @the-old-coach , is yes, absolutely. In fact, most songs that say they are for beginners are actually simplified. What’s important is the sound, not the technical aspects of how you play something.

And it is also a yes that many, if not all, people have difficulty at first putting singing and playing together. It is tough to learn. At first, it’s easier if the lyrics line up with the beat and you just do simple down strums. But, you pretty much gotta memorize something. I like to memorize the chord progression first. But others with memorize the lyrics first. Something has to be gotten off the pile of stuff your brain has to remember. It’s too much. Especially if you don’t have the chords down automatically and you have to think about making the chord shapes. That would be nearly impossible. So absolutely, use simple chord shapes.

I hope this helps. Oh, and there are a blue million sites for free on YouTube that teach how to play popular songs. Just type in the name of the song followed by tutorial and you’ll get a bunch of options. Pretty soon, you’ll run across the same sites and decide which ones are your favorites.

Eventually, you want to reach the point where you can work up a song on your own just by looking at sheet music and listening to a recording. Or, maybe just listening to a recording. That’s how a lot of sheet music is created in the first place. An awful lot of popular bands never actually wrote down their scores in the first place. Someone else wrote them down by listening and learning the song from ear only.

MG 😀

[jumpinjeff]

@the-old-coach I think the idea of taking a song down to its basic elements is a fantastic strategy. Let necessity be the mother of your invention. As your ear develops your fingers will develop as well and your desire to play differently will be some of the fuel to fire of determination needed to accomplish some of the details. Some of the very best stuff is tightly basic. Some of the other best stuff is highly detailed too.

[Kitman]

Great advice given here @the-old-coach . I agree that simplifying the chords is a fine way to learn a song and work on the timing between the lyrics and the guitar playing. I have done this many times. Once I figure out the chord shapes I want to use, I play along with the original to see how the artist times and delivers the lyrics. I have also just played the chords and thought the lyrics. I’ve also hummed and mumbled something like you have described in your post. IMO, it’s all good as it is your version of the song your are creating! 😀

[Carol-3M-Stillhand]

Hiya @the-old-coach it’s a good question, and I think my answer will agree with what the others already so wisely posted. Yes, it’s OK to simplify a song in order to get used to singing along while you play. If you’re first learning to sing and play, it’s definately one of the most difficult things to do, and everyone makes it look so durn easy. The nice thing to know is that each song you master will be easier and easier. So don’t give up!!

Some tips I’ve picked up along the way:

1. Choose a song you like and that you know very well.

2. Learn the song without singing first. Learn it forwards and backwards and in your sleep.

3. Start playing the song in front of the TV. Start trying to listen to what the TV news guy is saying while you are playing the song. (This trains your brain to focus on outside words while your hands are busy playing guitar.)

4. Start thinking of the lyrics in your head as you are playing the song. Progress to saying the words out loud as you play.

5. Once you are ready to start actually singing out loud, stop down the guitar down to bare minimum simple. Like just doing a simple strum on beat one of each measure, whatever chord is appropriate. Then do just a simple down strum just one for each new chord change…

6. Write out the lyrics and above the words, write down each new chord above the actual syllable of the words where the chord changes. This really helps as you are learning to sing and play.

7. Keep trying. If you give up it will never happen. Just when you start thinking you can’t do this, you will see, that you CAN do it. It’s like riding a bike. You will take off and fly!!!

Best wishes!!

[the-old-coach]

All–

I am really amazed and appreciative and thankful at the responses you all have put forward here.

You all are some of my “heavy hitters” here in the Forum- your words, advice, and encouragement mean a LOT. (And not just to me- and not just this thread…. maybe there are others “reading along” and wondering about this subject, too- and that’s awesome!).

I think I’m vaguely on the right track with how I want to work toward, and eventually accomplish this playing-and-singing thing….. And, as Jeff would say, you have lighted the path.

I have read all your answer-posts– (and even my original post)- at least 3 times over– both the words, and also if there is anything “between” the lines.

Thank you all– again– for your insight, experience, and generosity- (and that’s not just in ***this*** thread🙂)

the old coach

• This reply was modified 3 years ago by  the-old-coach.

[Fletch]

“is it OK to “simplify” some chord-progressions“

Abso-bloody-lutely…! 😀

My tip… Learn when to come in… Though not when to start singing, nope, but when to take the breath before you come in… The singing will then naturally follow… Even mark it on your tab with a BIG ‘B’… Breath…

And even more importantly… Start Slow…! Slow… No even slower… Get in touch with your inner Tortoise…

Oh and make sure you’re really comfortable singing in the song key, if not mess with a capo until you are… 😀

[jumpinjeff]

Fletch said “Bloody”

[Fletch]

Snitch… 😉