For/to help beginners/improvers indulging in deliberate practice to improve their banjo playing. An open group.

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Singing While Playing

From WayneConrad on 11/29/2017 10:55:07 AM

@Ira Gitlin posted this forum reply about singing while playing that deserves to be reproduced here, with his permission:

> ...if you want to post it yourself, please do so with my blessing. BTW, what I posted in the BG forum was the unedited responses that Cia sent to me. I edited her words down for the article. She did, however, say, "Feel free to use whatever of this you want". 

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I [Ira Gitlin] wrote an article on this topic in Banjo NewsLetter recently. Of the players I interviewed and questioned for the article, Cia Cherryholmes was the most detailed in her advice:

"I knew when I first started learning the banjo that I wanted to be able to continue to sing as well. Learning to do both at the same time wasn't something that came easy in the beginning. I remember having to really concentrate on splitting my brain to make it happen, and it took a lot of practice! I started by slowly playing whatever roll was easiest for me and singing a long, single note over the top of it. From there, I'd play a roll half time and try to start singing a simple melody at the same time. Gradually,I was able to get it all up to speed.

"My go to back up while singing is almost always based around the forward roll and simple third string slides. I feel it's best to start with that in 4/4 time. My approach is to keep it very simple while actually singing but during natural breaks or pauses, toss a fancier lick in. When I started attempting Crowe style back up on a 3/4 time song, it felt like starting over from the beginning. Especially on bluesy licks. My voice would want to sing what I was playing. Again, dedicated practice was what got me past the hump.

"For the mental aspect, dividing your brain can feel like a challenge, but I really think that by starting very slow and with the very basics (and i do mean as basic as just plucking an open chord and humming a note over the top basic) the technique can be learned by more players.

"As with any aspect of music, the more time you put into it, the more progress you will see. People always ask, "Is it hard to play an instrument?" I always say it's hard to play one well. It takes commitment and practicing things that are actually beneficial, not just the things we feel good playing. The same goes for singing and backing yourself up at the same time. Don't give up if you don't have an easy start!"

4 Comments
	Boadicea says: 11/29/2017 2:09:02 PM My banjo teacher suggested to strum when others were singing, with rolls in the break. But I am a real beginner, this is a much more nuanced response.
	StuartJohn says: 11/29/2017 3:06:13 PM I just let the Banjo sing. That's enough for me !
	violinoldbanjonew says: 12/1/2017 5:06:01 AM Thank you for this post, I thought I was going insane! I started in Aug. 2017 and trying to sing "Worried Man Blues" while I slow picked (all I can do at this point) knocked me right off my rhythm!
	Boadicea says: 12/1/2017 11:55:50 PM It is great to read other people's progression through their musical journey, it lets you know that you are not alone with your struggles and joys!
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