Thank you so much! And, I think you’re totally right. Singing, or at least sort of humming the vocal part when I’m learning these different basic strumming songs really does make it… come together as a song!
As far as singing and playing… do you think it’s mostly about just getting more practice in on the guitar? Like, when you’ve really reinforced those neural pathways by repeatedly playing, to the point where you can play the song with hardly any thought, that’s when you can finally sing with it easily? I guess, practically, my question is… should I just keep practicing playing the song without singing, so that then it will be easier to play it while singing? Or, do I keep trying to muddle my way through while singing and playing together?
Thank you so much, man! A few people have commented on consistent strumming, so, I must be doing something right!
Ya know what was tough? A few times I tried doing it with a metronome… but I kept wanting to go faster than the metronome. I found many tabs and sheet music for this song online that said the tempo should be set at 74. It felt SOOOOOOO slow! So, I finally just did it without the metronome, as I would start going faster than the metronome and then get messed up. I know that practicing with a metronome is important… and I do like practicing with the practice tracks on the app… but a metronome at 74 on this song just felt sooo slow… but, it’s what was written everywhere I looked!
Regarding the song… it does feel like such a simple song, but, I have read that it can be a bit tricky, because the sentences/phrases often don’t line up with the bars. So, maybe it wasn’t the best song to start with? But, we did it! And, frankly, I like Reggae, so, it was sort of a no-brainer for me to pick.
I have been trying to mind my thumb a bit more during practice since reading your comment. It’s hard though, it’s like my thumb has a mind of its own.
Thank you so much! And, thank you for the encouragement to keep going! Practice, practice, practice! And, so far, I genuinely love the guitar practice, so, I also hope it just keeps going on like that!
I initially read through all of these comments and gave a blanket thank you, but, now I’m trying to go back and look at each one more deeply. So many comments, and I appreciate them all!
Something you brought up, regarding the camera, I think you’re totally right. Given the small size of my recording space, it may actually be better if I just play while standing. I can probably get a better video that way where my whole guitar is visible. I’ll try that next time!
Very familiar with your comments there Todd, I think everyone’s natural tendency is to be too quick, it’s the nerves that seem to do it more than anything. If the right tempo feels slow then really you should be celebrating, you’ve got more time for your chord changes!
Definitely a good habit to work with a metronome, but above all playing with the song or a decent backing track is so much more satisfying, you can mentally criticise other member of the band then!
What can I say that has not been said ? Well done Todd your passion and enthusiasm bowled me over. Just 6 weeks in singing and playing wow. Well done, I admire your spirit. You remind me of a lad called Trevor on the old forum who posted early doors like you but shone with unbridled passion and energy, Way to go sir, I wish you every success, a pleasure to here you perform.
Thanks for putting yourself out there. Encouraging for us beginners. You got it man. Did not notice the extra strums, if any. You’re going to have so much fun playing that song as time goes by.
One of the local regulars who is owed a private lesson has asked me to give it to you instead! So please drop an email email to Laryne (@justinguitar.com) and we’ll find a day for you. Be helpful to know your time zone and rough availablilty too!
Hi Todd, well done with Three Little Birds. Although you have now the chance to discuss things like this with Justin who’s the most appropriate person around here to do so, I would like to share anyway my approach to work on a song. If I already can do the guitar part and the singing separate, but when trying to sing on top the playing, the playing, or the singing, or both fall apart, I keep working on playing without singing and singing without playing, but also continue to attempt playing and singing the whole song just to monitor where I am struggling. Sometimes I play or sing only a section several times to automate it.
But, we did it! And, frankly, I like Reggae, so, it was sort of a no-brainer for me to pick.
Thank you so much, to you and the person giving up their lesson! This is an awesome surprise! I will email Laryne shortly!