does singing riffs make you a better guitarist?

[JDC]

does singing make you a better guitarist? I mean just going la la la do do do in tune to a riff

I don't learn that many tunes and if I do it's from a tab, so I was thinking if I plugged a mic into tuner, and learnt to sing riffs in tune, it would improve my hearing skills

[noodleplugerine]

Worth a shot.

Hell, even if its all for nothing kids in the neighbourhood will know you as the crazy guy who chugs to himself.

[Mipple]

Singing the things you play will definitely improve your hearing.  This is most important if you plan to play improvised solos (as it will start to get you playing what you really hear rather than just hitting notes from scales which you know should sound ok) but is also a really good idea for any part you're learning.

Using a tuner to make sure you get the notes bang in tune is not really the issue here though - it really doesn't matter what your singing is like (e.g. good singing voice, hitting the pitch bang on), it's all about making sure you're really hearing what you're playing rather than mechanically playing what the tab tells you.

Mark

[il˙ti]

Singing the things you play will definitely improve your hearing.  This is most important if you plan to play improvised solos (as it will start to get you playing what you really hear rather than just hitting notes from scales which you know should sound ok) but is also a really good idea for any part you're learning.

Using a tuner to make sure you get the notes bang in tune is not really the issue here though - it really doesn't matter what your singing is like (e.g. good singing voice, hitting the pitch bang on), it's all about making sure you're really hearing what you're playing rather than mechanically playing what the tab tells you.

Mark

Good post.

[kevincurtis]

The more actively you engage in any activity will make you better, so definitely won't hurt...but even better if you sing/hum something you like and then try and play it on the guitar, or just noodle along to records you like - you will pick bits up and listen to music you love as well :)

[prozacbear]

I play better if I sing along (very quietly for the sake of others), it gives me much more feel for what I'm playing

[shaman]

I like doing that scat singing thing with a riff.....hum,etc in unison to a strong riff,esp. anything in the minor pentatonic flavor...really cool to do live,but it does help coordinate the ears and hands..satriani teaches a thing called atonal scat singing...sing anything in random and then play it..awesome for developing melodies

[il˙ti]

It's pretty common in jazz that you see someone sing along as he improvises. I've seen some blues players do it too, but usually rather poorly and just for the sake of it. I do think it's a cool gimmick though.

[Ratrod]

If only I could play what I can sing (or think).

[noodleplugerine]

If only I could play what I can sing (or think).

+100.

[TomW]

It's pretty common in jazz that you see someone sing along as he improvises. I've seen some blues players do it too, but usually rather poorly and just for the sake of it. I do think it's a cool gimmick though.

I went to see a jazz band last night who were singing along to what they were playing all night, which made it more fun to watch as you could tell they were really going for it and enjoying themselves.

Ritchie Kotzen seems to do it alot aswell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xgs9jOZzcQ

[Muzzzz]

its a bit like oscar peterson when he plays....



but it sounds dreadful!!!! he just mutters and mumbles and sings like he's on valium while he plays and its really... disturbing... but you can tell he's enjoying himself.

[Mipple]

If only I could play what I can sing (or think).

If you really want to then it's quite doable as long as you're prepared to put in the time practicing it.  Play a note, sing a phrase starting on that note and then try and match it on the guitar.  It can seem really difficult at first, but if you:

a) Make sure you start with really basic things (small intervals, all notes from the same scale) and gradually increase the difficulty

b) Keep on trying even if it seems you're not getting anywhere initially

you should find that make good progress.


Singing along to scales/exercises/etc. as you practice them will also help with this as you're reinforcing the connection between what you're playing and what you're hearing - eventually your fingers will naturally start to go to the next note you hear.

[Mipple]

its a bit like oscar peterson when he plays....

but it sounds dreadful!!!! he just mutters and mumbles and sings like he's on valium while he plays and its really... disturbing... but you can tell he's enjoying himself.

If you think Oscar Peterson sounds dreadful you should try listening to Keith Jarrett...  I find it doesn't really disturb me though - I like the fact that you can really tell they're feeling the music.

A guy with a slightly different interesting take on this is Kurt Rosenwinkel.  He used to (I don't think he does any more) mic up his voice and would frequently sing along with his lines in a very smooth way so that people who aren't aware he's doing this often think he's using some kind of chorus pedal.

Singing along with what you play can be a really good idea musically even if you're really just matching the pitch of your voice to the note a split second after you play it (it's really easy to fall into doing this when you think you're actually hearing first and then playing) as it tends to limit the length of your phrases to the length of time you can hold your breath - rather than playing constantly without a break which is all too easy to do on the guitar.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Perhaps the guitar player that was the best at singing guitar lines in the past century is George Benson. He sang along with all his solos. Have a look:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RpEfAV1T5b0

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5QjTK0pL1go

Benson is also known for having a smooth voice to match his guitar tone. Impeccable ear and chops, too.

Do I feel that being able to sing lines makes you a better guitarist? No.
Better musician? Yes.