Just uploaded my cover of Vincent (Starry Starry Night) originally by Don McLean – part of my ongoing adventure in fingerpicking. This song has always had a special place in my heart, so naturally, I decided to make it even harder by playing and singing it at the same time.
Learning the fingerpicking pattern was one thing… but memorizing the lyrics? Let’s just say Van Gogh wasn’t the only one struggling with visions. That poetic storytelling is beautiful but a real tongue-twister under pressure.
Also the variations and bridgdes between the different parts were kind of hard to memorize.
So there are still a few hickups here and there – both in the playing and the singing – but I figured, if I wait for perfection, I’ll be posting this in the afterlife.
Link to the cover:
Difficulty level: 7.5/10 on the “Why did I think this was a good idea?” scale.
Would love to hear your thoughts, tips, or commiserations. Anyone else tried tackling this song and lived to tell the tale?
That was absolutely beautifully played and very very nice accompanied by your singing … it is one that is on my long list because I hope with a (talk sing) I will do just a little better than normal when I force air hard against my vocal cords …
But if I listen to your guitar playing in the background again while I type this, I still have a long long way to go …
Wow, nicely played and sung! Very relaxed and your voice is nice. I still can’t coordinate singing and strumming much less fingerpicking.
Definitely a powerful song. I have it on my list, but haven’t put the effort necessary into it yet. Part of it is knowing I won’t be able to ing it as I play yet, so I gravitate to songs without singing.
Wow, what beautiful playing Andreas. Terrific fingerstyle, you’ve clearly put a lot of work into that one. Super vocal too.
I saw on Don McLean live a couple of years ago and you could give him a run for his money on that one.
Oh such a beautiful song, and so well picked and your singing complements the guitar playing so well! I don’t think I knew the song so have not tried to learn it myself, but it is so beautiful I might add it to my list…thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to see what’s coming up next month
Awesome balance between your clean voice and guitar playing. I really like your voice and playing.
The sing quality is so good I first thought you are playing fingerstyle for singing someone else.
Wow, thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement — it really means a lot to me!
@roger_holland Thanks Rogier – I appreciate your thoughtful comment! I’m sure your singing will bring a unique charm to the song, and I’m cheering you on with that goal. Keep at it — and I’m flattered you’re listening again while typing
@Coda Tomasz, thanks so much! Yes, this one definitely had its challenges, so I’m really glad to hear it came across well. Your feedback keeps me motivated!
@CD02 Thanks Craig – That tricky picking definitely had me practicing more than a few times Singing over it was the real test, so I’m glad it landed. Thanks for the props!
@GrytPipe – Haha, I bet you could do it! Thank you — your kudos are very much appreciated!
@mfeeney0110 Thanks a lot, Michael! I’m really happy you noticed the picking — it took some time to get it to feel natural, so I’m thrilled it came through well. Appreciate your thoughtful comment!
Thanks again, everyone — your support really keeps the joy in playing and sharing alive!
@Eddie_09 Thanks, Eddie – Your kind words really made my day, thank you! I’m so glad the emotion of the song came through.
@Willsie Thanks John – A “knock out”? Wow, that’s high praise! I really appreciate it and am glad you enjoyed the performance.
@Jamolay Thank you, Joshua! I totally understand that struggle — coordinating singing with fingerpicking was and still is a major challenge for me too. I just keep at it slowly , one beat at a time. Would love to hear your take on it when you’re ready!
@sairfingers Thanks Gordon! Haha, now that’s a compliment I didn’t expect — you saw Don McLean live and still said that?! Thank you! And I definitely want to see that shirt sometime!
@mundeli – That really means a lot coming from you. I’m still learning every day, but it’s a wonderful feeling to hear that it resonated with you. Keep going — you’ll pull it off beautifully too!
Thanks again, everyone — such an inspiring community to be part of.
Thank you all so much for your kind and thoughtful feedback — I’m really touched!
@LievenDV Thanks, Lieven – It means a lot to hear that from you, especially knowing how much you love this song. I’m really glad the picking and little decorations resonated with you! And thank you for the honest and constructive note about the timing — you’re absolutely right. You’ve helped me a lot already with improving my timing in general (which is also still work in progress for sure), but I’m still struggling, especially when it comes to those “silent breaks” between vocal lines. It’s a work in progress, and your input keeps me on track!
@MollyT Thanks Molly – I’m so happy you enjoyed the song! It’s one of those pieces that just hits the heart, and I’d love to hear your take on it if you decide to learn it. Thanks for the encouragement — now I feel even more inspired to keep pushing for next month’s post
@Carreta Wow, thank you, Michal! I’m really glad you liked the balance between voice and guitar. That’s always something I try to dial in carefully.
Thanks again, everyone — it’s such a joy to be part of this community and to grow through your support and feedback!
Dang, Andy. That was awesome. I am sure you see flaws, but I hear and see beauty. I sat my guitar down, grabbed my glass of wine and enjoyed it thoroughly. That is one of my all time favorite Don McLean songs and you did it justice totally. Keep it up. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I only wish I could get where you are musically. Perhaps I never will? ha ha. Great song, great interpretation. I loved. Jackson, Mississippi USA. Perhaps we’ll meet up one day and you can coach me on this one.
Link to the cover:
Difficulty level: 7.5/10 on the “Why did I think this was a good idea?” scale.
… it is one that is on my long list because I hope with a (talk sing) I will do just a little better than normal when I force air hard against my vocal cords …
Singing over it was the real test, so I’m glad it landed. Thanks for the props!
