I think I prefer picking over strumming. Like most new players I have a problem with too much sustain and bass on my strums and not enough on my picks. I can play a boom/chic pattern when I practice but when I try it in a song I lose it. Sounds like a cacophony of strings
Actually I have my problems with both, especially when I try to play faster. But in combination with singing I find it easier to strum. Picking is almost impossible for me while I‘m singing. I have to concentrate so much on picking the right strings - as soon as I start singing I become completely confused 🤪🙉
My singing would make me quit forever 🐸 🐸
I can’t really pick and sing at the same time. I can strum basic patterns and sing at the same time though.
I have never herd anyone picking the melody and singing at the same time, I would think it would be impossible 🤨
It is a lot of concentration. Lol
Mostly strumming and trying to work in some runs and licks here and there, and picking for simple solos. I can strum and sing, even do some boom-chick and sing, but picking and singing would be tough.
Hubby & I set aside late Saturday afternoon and sometimes into the evening for singing/strumming sessions. I'm trying to teach him and he doesn't have a lot of time to practice during the week, but we still have a lot of fun. He really struggles with singing while playing but he just keeps trying, bless his heart. I know one day it will click for him. 😀
I was talking about singing and picking like this LOL
Gorgeous! Garth is pretty dog gone great!
I tend towards the carter scratch , flatpicked country blues, and alternating thumb fingerstyle. Picking and singing is not too hard with some practice. Key word is practice. Commit some easy picking patterns to muscle memory. After a while it becomes automatic. You may get bored because all of your songs "sound the same". Once you reach that point you're ready to become more inventive and build on your foundation.
As for melody while singing? I can do it and if I can, so can you. Here's a tip on how to start. Play the major scale from one of the lessons here. Play the eight notes of the scale. Example: C D E F G A B C. Play this scale until you can play it smoothly without any effort at a comfortable tempo. Many of you reading this post are well beyond that. If so let's go to the next step. Sing that scale as you play it. You can sing the names of the notes, you can call them by numbers, it doesn't matter. When you can sing the notes along with playing them on the guitar you are ...playing melody and singing at the same time.
When you can do this, play the melody simple songs. "Mary Had a Little Lamb", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in C and sing them. Now you are doing two important things One-you've picked a simple melody by ear because you've learned the tones by playing and singing your scale Two- you're playing melody and singing at the same time. At this point you can branch out. I love old time music. If you do as well, you're in luck. Take the fine Wildwood Flower lesson on this website and learn it. Listen to the Carter Family recording and learn the words. Listen some more and see how Mother Maybell works the simple melody. Most of her instrumental breaks stray very little from the melody and parts of them are easily inserted while singing and strumming.
These elements are not impossible yet seem mysterious and unobtainable at first. Chip away at them a little bit every time you play. Every granite statue started with that first chisel stroke.
@oldtimeplayer It sounds quite easy how you describe it. Thank you for the advice. I will try it out soon.
