Do you ever sing the notes of a tune while you play it?

[WaxwellHaus]

I've been trying something out in my practice sessions where I try to match my voice to the pitch of the tune I'm playing and 'sing' the notes over top of my picking.

Anybody else ever try this out?

I definitely have to slow down a lot when practicing this way but I'm hoping that with enough practice I will get to a point I can effortlessly play or sing what I hear in my head.

If I haven't explained it well, my inspiration was Oteil Burbridge singing his bass solo in this Aquarium Rescue Unit video (apologies in advance if my first attempt at embedding video goes awry)

I apparently can't include the start-time in embedded video - skip to 4:03 to see what I'm talking about.

[kurth83]

Many years of playing and singing here. I always have to play simpler figures while singing, the better stuff comes in the spaces between phrases.

As a result I prefer to not sing and play in a band.

When playing by myself I do both, and it's a skill I keep up, so a good skill to learn.

[JeffD]

The more body parts you can get involved the better. Sing, tap feet, move around, whatever.

[Randi Gormley]

One of the guitarists in our group will occasionally sing the notes when she can't seem to find the tune for one reason or another. She's classically trained and is a trained singer, so it may just be her default.

[HonketyHank]

Who was it, Pablo Cassals? Often got carried away during a recording or performance and sang his cello part loudly enough to be heard over the cello itself.

[catmandu2]

I find that I do this more on occasion playing accordions. I have no idea why?

[Simon DS]

Keith Jarrett used to do a lot of humming over piano, and occasionally LOUD moaning and groaning.
After one show in the early eighties, a woman in the audience complained to a radio show that his performance was pornographic!
Of course after that EVERYONE wanted to go and hear him playing piano.

[Dale Ludewig]

George Benson.

[Mainer73]

It's definitely a good idea at times. I like to do it when learning a song, not so much for singing since I have an awful time memorizing lyrics and playing and singing was never my strong suit. I think it makes it easier to learn a song for playing better than just focusing on basic melody and instrumentation. It develops muscle memory for the melody and harmonies, and I think "living" in a song or tune a bit aids in more sympathetic/creative interpretation.

[Br1ck]

Many years of playing and singing here. I always have to play simpler figures while singing, the better stuff comes in the spaces between phrases.

As a result I prefer to not sing and play in a band.

When playing by myself I do both, and it's a skill I keep up, so a good skill to learn.

A common misconception if you haven't played in the right band. Granted many have not. Check out Mandolin Orange in the expanded format. The number one criteria for a band backing vocals is listening, then checking one's ego at the door realizing less is more.

[MikeZito]

For my two-cents - I prefer not to hear somebody sing over their instrument . . . on most occasions what you hear most is the voice, and the music gets lost.

Dale hit the nail on the head when he said 'George Benson' - but personally, I like it much better when George plays away from his vocal microphone.

[ccravens]

Oscar Peterson

[John Van Zandt]

Usually do that silently- thinking the notes after years of music classes, and other training. Out loud might work unless the surrounding (ambient) noise drowns it out before it reaches your ears.

[bratsche]

The more body parts you can get involved the better. Sing, tap feet, move around, whatever.

"Whatever." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lD7Ig4yAqc

bratsche

[Ranger Bob]

Yes. The master.

George Benson.

[EdHanrahan]

The more body parts you can get involved the better...

When I finally got serious about learning the fretboard AND about being a tolerable (or at least predictable!) singer, I'd sing the names of the notes as I played the tune. Clunky at first, but it helped a LOT!

[Simon DS]

Jimmy Page

[UsuallyPickin]

Well … yes and no. I listen to the melody in my head as I play it on the strings. That helps me keep track of where I am in relation to the other players and the music. I add a scale or some flatted or pulled of or slid into tones and lead back to the chord where the singer picks up the melody and I start chording again. I occasionally get lost if I don't know the melody well ….. live and learn. R/