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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Getting Back To Guitarage

Posted by: muntahunta Nov 15 2008, 12:16 PM

well, i havnt played guitar very much since about... march this year? somewhere around there...

anyways, ive found myself in a position of having to take up guitar and sing in my band but I have trouble singing and playing, Im VERY rusty, i cant play anything like i used to, infact i think ive sunk back down to beginner level by now :S

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of ways to shake off the rust and get back on form? maybe even some tips on singing AND playing, thats less important atm though

Cheers
Chris

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 15 2008, 12:42 PM

In my experience mate you will have to do a few weeks of focused practice to go back to your level again. There's no need to worry because you didn't actually forget how to play. All the technique is there, you just need to recall it through practice a bit. So just practice every day for a few weeks and everything will be back to normal.

Regarding singing and playing, you might wanna learn those songs that you wanna play with your band, and learn how to sing in the same time while playing. First learn the playing part well, and then learn the singing part well. Then slowly start to combine playing and singing on slower tempos, and you will learn it no problem. If you do experience some difficulty playing and singing, for example if you find some part rhythmically challenging, you can simplify playing a bit in order to do it right. Most of the time when playing with a band, no one will notice the small simplified bits of your playing.

Posted by: Muris Varajic Nov 15 2008, 12:54 PM

Agree,it's mostly like driving a bike or swimming,
you have it all sorted in your head,
it's just that muscles need some extra work to get back in shape.
Few week of focused practicing and you'll be as good as new(old one).

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Nov 15 2008, 12:57 PM

Just as Ivan said! You haven't forgot anything, you just need to do some practice (exercises) in order to get back where you were.It won't take long, but you will have to really devote some focused time to it...Regarding singing and playing well you need to practice it home a lot..It can seem tricky at start but of you focus enough on two individual parts you will be able to blend them together...And as Ivan said, simplifying is a good way to go...Many players that sing tend to simplify guitar/bass lines in order to be able to sing well and devote enough attention to it!