Hey Justin, I am a returning guitar player using your iPhone leasons app and am on module 9 now. Will you have any singing with guitar lessons on your app?
I can’t sing very well, but I can’t just play a song without singing lol. Nirvana and everlast. A lot of their songs work well enough for my voice to not send everything in earshot running
Thats such bulls***. People trolling you about your singing. Meanwhile youre giving high quality lessons of your lifes work for free. My favorite part if your lessons is when you sing the chord voicings.
lol welcome to youtube, there could be a 5 star professional who made millions, giving a lesson and there still gonna be ppl saying they suck and are doing it wrong
Pay no attention to the very few negative people who have nothing better to do. Huge amount of positive responses to read and are well earned. Justin is an absolute gem
this is one of the better start to sing vids I have ever seen. and he is a good singer, yes comments are often attacking on any music 🎵🎶 or artistic videos. thanks for calling them out!!!!
Hi Justin, I have never commented before.Recently, I met my guitar hero by pure accident. In Melbourne, I attended the Tommy Emmanuel concert which was superb! The following morning I went for breakfast with my wife at a little restaurant near the threatre. We were seated right next to Tommy and a friend. I had a lovely exchange with him and I treasure the meeting. Your lessons are absolutely sensational!! Apart from your guitar talent and singing, your personality is a real gift. You explain thins so well and you are a champion for all us aspiring guitar players. From the bottom of my 72 year old heart, thanks mate!!
OMG, when you started the “quiet singing” and the “talk singing” I literally teared up a little. This is the advice I’ve been looking for. I wish I would have had this video 36 years ago. Thank you. ❤️
I’ve been dealing w some serious depression for a long time and trying to learn guitar and sing helps me cope. I suck at both still but just watching your lessons honestly does give me hope. You’ve got a great character and refreshing honesty and directness that I love. I strive to be a little more that myself. Thank you.
Hang in there Shwen. I also find a lot of comfort in music and love Justin's videos. If you're having fun keep doing it, I also suck at both singing and playing but I don't care, it's fun. 🙂
I started playing just before I lost it with anxiety and depression. Guitar, even a few minutes a day was the only thing I could do and helped me immensely. Stick with it and know that there's always light at the end of the tunnel. You will feel better.
Justin’s videos are like that good friend that you can sometimes lose touch with, but when you reconnect you remember why they are such a good friend. This was a helpful video. Thanks.
The point at the end about confidence is sooooo valid, as is your earlier point about feeling comfortable. I used to “sing in my head” because I thought my voice was so bad, but then I realised I wasn’t playing the tune I was “singing”. I’m a woodworker and I made a really nice guitar hanger that I was proud of, then, shortly afterwards we had a couple of very close friends over for dinner and they remarked on the guitar hanging on the wall. They asked if I would play something and I made all the excuses about singing, but they insisted and as they are good friends I decided I didn’t mind sounding like a clown - I knew they wouldn’t be too harsh on me, so I cracked out Streets of London and was both surprised and pleased when they all (including my wife) started clapping. I was happy that my friends were being kind to me, but then they asked me to sing another song! I was surprised, because I don’t think I would want to listen to me singing twice, but as I had the instrument in my hand I did Hotel California and got an even louder clap! The point of this tale is that I know (and so do they) that I’ll never be a great singer, BUT, what I did was to share some joy and that was the biggest motivator to make me sing more often. So, in summary (I know it’s a long post, sorry), I would say, find some songs you like, sing while you practice, play for friends and family and just be happy - happiness is what music is all about, surely? (unless you’re a Leonard Cohen fan, of course, lol).
Helpful lesson Justin. I’m 74 years . I usually sing “in my head” when I play, but of course that’s not my own voice. I found the singy / talky in a low voice method very helpful.
Me too. I'm 67, same thing. I took advice from another comment about tuning down a full step, and with my singy/talky voice, I'm having a lot of fun with it. If you try it, Sixteen Tons and Wellerman are fun. Thanks.
I'm turning 60 today and just about 5 years ago I decided to learn play guitar and sing from cero today after those years I'm still feel lost but I just want to keep going my main motivation is retirement and be able to an joy time with music I have learn basic cords but having difficulties strumming make it sound like music to my ears Singing since I have no idea what is my range I'm just jumping from all over I'm part a singing choir in my church but I want more 80 percent at list
My number 1 desire in learning guitar is not fast lead etc, but to be able to play and sing songs on acoustic to a decent standard. So I jumped on this!
This is an outstanding lesson. You have hit the nail on the head. I picked up the guitar a couple of years ago and went onto many TH-cam sites to learn the basics of guitar playing. Your tutorials are by far the best I have experienced - and there have been a lot - you are a born teacher. This singing tutorial is the best advice you have given. We are not all Pavarotti, but we all have a voice. I heard that Karen Carpenter had an extremely quiet singing voice and benefited from amplification. The world would have been a poorer place if she was told not to sing.
Hey Mick! You're exactly right about Karen Carpenter. Justin's comments about not straining/pushing or singing too loudly reminded me of an excerpt from a biography called "Little Girl Blue, The Life of Karen Carpenter". Karen was being driven to the studio with one of her friends and as she was warming up and singing in the car the friend was totally surprised how quiet her singing voice really was. It was mentioned in the book that Karen let the microphone do the work. It's a great read if you like the Carpenters.
i m a singer for 30 yrs .. this is good advice .. I ve given vocal lessons .. The biggest thing is that when you sing , you need project ...obviously pitch is important ..
I recorded myself despite hating my voice. My singers have all told me to start singing. I was convinced I sounded bad. To my astonishment, I'm not a bad vocalist when I pick my fights well. GL, YOU GOT THIS!!!
This is a wonderful lesson. You are one of the “demystifier”teachers that I really admire. You get down to students level and it shows your dedication as an educator. Thank you Justin.
Justin's the best man! I love him. 1.5 million subscribers, he's doing something right. Did his free electric guitar lessons, ended up paying for his lesson app. Best investment ever made other then my buying my first electronic guitar. Learned so much from him, opened up a whole new world. I've watched and listened to other TH-camrs, they are great as well. Justin is the best though and I am grateful for everything he has taught me.
Regarding dynamics. You're 100% spot on, Justin. The best analogy I've heard is your first day at the gym. If you go for max weights on your first day, nothing good will come of it. If you take your time and start light, over time, you will build your muscles and the strength will come. Very similar to working out our vocal chords and voices.
Justin- as a preformer of 20 years plus, I have to say I have STILL learned much from your video. And yes! You have improved! Thank you for humility and approach. I'm a folk singer and while voice lessons are great,I'm not Mr. American idol. This video was the best I've seen for helping in a super practical way. Most videos I see are without the addition of the guitar. Thank you so much!!
Great video! It's nice to learn from someone that can relate, someone that's in our shoes. I think it's much easier to learn this way rather from a super vocal coach that never addresses the beginner issues that you cover. Major props!!
Man! The reason I subscribed to you is because you are real. Much better for me to learn from someone who is also still learning. Much more comfortable and encouraging to learn from someone who is honest and humble about their own talent. Thank you.
Fascinating Jason. I'm still not there yet but I now think in similar terms. I try to "inhabit" a song, I spent too long trying to sing a Dylan song (for example) in his style. Much better to do your own interpretation. Unfortunately most of the stuff I like to do is by American singers and it hard to not try and effect a fake accent. As I said it's work in progress but your lesson is a huge inspiration. Many thanks.
I wish I would have had this video years ago. It sounds like a great starting point for total beginners and people who have low confidence in their singing. I had quite the same issues like you did and thought that I'll never be able to sing. I actually committed to taking singing lessons from local teachers, because quiting was no option for me. But I only experienced a noteworthy breakthrough after I got to my fourth teacher, one that was seeing me as an individual person and focusing on my voice and not standard lessons. So it definitely depends on how well you teacher fits to you, if your teacher trains your individual voice and doesn't simply use standard vocal exercises and most importantly how persistent you are. It took me over 4 years to get to a point where I like my singing voice and am confident enough not to feel hurt by other people's opinions. I believe it could have gone faster if my start weren't so rocky. Justin you're definitely one of the best teachers out there! You can even give valuable information about matters out of your expertise.
A Blue Ribbon panel of experts at the International Association of Excellence in Understatement has just released their decision on the biggest understatement of the 21st century. The panel determined that The Greatest Understatement of the 21st Century was contained in a TH-cam Video entitled "How not to suck at singing!" on a channel by the name of JustinGuitar. The statement, made by Justin himself, is as follows: "...I feel like I've made quite a decent amount of improvement [in singing] in the last few years." DUDE! To use Justin's terminology, intending no offense or ill will of course, Justin used to suck at singing. People watched his videos, despite this, because he was a good guitar player, an excellent, natural guitar teacher, and a pleasant, easy-to-listen-to all around likeable guy, even if he was not a good singer. They wished he could sing better, but ultimately they decided that it didn't matter. They liked him, and they learned from him. But then, he apparently decided that he would work at his singing, and get better at it. And, as a result, he went from "sucking" at singing to being a very good singer, who is enjoyable to listen to. Now, he has it all.
Yes! The recording helps so much. I had to start out recording just my speaking voice at first, for a couple of months. No music, no singing. I’ve hated my voice so much for so long, but after several months of recording, I’m starting to be able to at least listen back to some of it so that I can see what needs to be worked on.
Thank you, I had an absolute shocker of a singing teacher "I say, you do" would not discuss anything, did not prepare me to deal with stage fright etc. I like this approach much more.
It takes time to learn how to breathe and control your vocal cords. I learned by singing the same 20 songs with a tape in my car, for 2 hrs, 20 min/day, five days a week, for five years. Now I can cover anybody in my range. If you drive to a job every day, what better way to spend those boring hours.
I've been struggling to learn guitar/sing and I came across this channel and I've been down this rabbit hole for hours... but I feel like I've learned more than I have in months on my own. Thank you Justin for these videos, you have no idea how much it helps and how happy that makes me
I've always wanted to sing while playing. This was great. Hendrix was never a good singer but it fitted what he played. He was in fact a 'talk singer'.
I spent A whole afternoon, looking at a bunch of TH-cam singing coaches. All of them were giving anything but the basics which is all I wanted. Your video was a home run! Thanks so much!
Justin this is a wonderful and encouraging lesson. I'm persisting with learning to sing along to my guitar tunes and this video helps on so many levels. You have such a genuine helpful character, simply one of the brightest stars in the universe of the internet!
I've found that over time, the vocal lessons do become part of you and work their magic.And your true voice comes through.Minus all that posture and ' Musical Show' tone. You are great, Justin.Mind-boggling how much help you have given to so many !Thanks
Justin I am so grateful for your videos. You have made a tremendous difference for me. Now you’ve taken it to a whole other level. Proper singing has been extremely difficult for me. This video has blown up my impression of what signing could be if I stop straining to reach a note the way I hear it. I’m excited to work with these exercises. So grateful for who you are and your commitment to teaching and improving.
I just joined a men's choir, having never been a singer. I didn't really know what I was getting into but I'm doing well enough to enjoy it and be invited to keep coming back. I'd say the conductor spends more time getting us to keep the dynamic down than push it up.
Sometimes people who are good at something gives the most awful advice because they have no idea what it's like to be a beginner. This video is great and will help a lot of people.
True. You’d ask a famous singer how you can improve singing. They would say « Sing as often as possible ». Professional singers keep their secrets secret.
This is the best video ever for a guitarist trying to learn to sing. Most others deal with the fancy vocal coaching stuff which is probably more relevant for singer-only people. Awesome work mate.
This was an awesome lesson. I have always felt that I can’t sing and was told I was tone deaf. I sing when I play alone and no one can hear me, but I don’t have the confidence even then. I know I hit the right note once in awhile and csn sing when I am singing along with the record or someone, so I know the ability is there. Anyway, this lesson has been an inspiration for me and I will do the ‘exercises’ you have mentioned. Thank you so much and I would love a sequel lesson to this one.
How do you inspire people? Prove you share or have shared in their struggles. Kudos to you, sir, for doing just that. You're already helping teach me to play the guitar; now you might start teaching me to sing as well!
Thank you,,I’ve been told over and over that I sing out of key,,luckily,at my age it doesn’t bother me,,but I want to sing better ,I picked up a uke and love it and love singing,,recording my voice and playin it back has helped,,
You´re awesome! i paid for your beginners course this year and feel so genuinely grateful for your contribution to this space. I sincerely hope you never get tired of hearing me say ¨Thank you" Greetings from Patagonia Chile!!
17:11 I find working out the melody on the guitar especially helpful when I am transposing the song to a key better for my voice. Particularly useful at high points where your memory of the song can cloud your singing ear.
5 minutes into the video, I knew it would be the best video on beginner-level singing. Support, posture, etc is extremely important for opera singers, but not that much for beginners and casual singers who sing at home and only if they are alone. Beginners should follow all your instructions in this video. I don’t have a powerful and I don’t want to sing loud. I think Folk music like Simon and Garfunkel and James Taylor’s Fire and Rain are the style most compatible with my Tenor voice and personality. Vocal coaches may have dreams of coaching future stars to get credit and recognition, so they think they need to train you as a solid professional singer.
there are a lot of singing coaches on You Tube with useful advice, you dont need to pay for their courses - my advice for serious singers would be to record your voice, it sucks to start with but gives you the feedback you need to improve - Justins site is great, i still use it frequently and i make my own music
Justin, what a great lesson. I had a patient who was a singing teacher, who said everyone can learn to sing its just a language. That doesn’t mean you’ll sound like Freddie, but ALL of us can sing IF we learn. Your tips about singing softly/dynamics are Gold - Chris Smithers sings out of the corner of his mouth! My only crit - no-one is tone deaf - it doesnt exist! Thanks again I’m going to back to training and use your tips!
When I first watched your videos, I remember thinking " Just get on with it" and watched hundreds of other TH-cam tutorials. Being a three-chord wonder for like 55 years(seriously) I wanted to "get it". I had pretty much excepted guitar playing and singing was for my ears only. Now I can hear you saying "Just get on with it". OK, You have an honest real, down-to-earth approach to teaching and broke it down enough to see the basic stuff I was not doing. You Teach not only how to play but also listen, and I am so glad I finally did. I am proud to have moved up to a multiple-chord wonder who on a good day can sing a few tunes. I have you to thank for that. Still watching, Listening and learning.
I learned a lot of guitar from you as a beginner years ago. I never minded your singing , it beats guitar teachers that won't even have a go at it. It helped, so good job
You are my favorite online guitar teacher and I have noticed a marked improvement in your singing. Thanks for sharing these tips, they obviously worked for you!
Love this video! Justin addresses many of the issues a lot of us struggle with. I had zero confidence after being humiliated and shamed at age 5 by a teacher in front of the entire class. Our kindergarten class was singing a song in front of the entire school and she said I ruined it. This affected music lessons I took in later years where I was required to sing.
@@nigelmadeley7798 my granddaughter sings in a school choir, they took 1st place in state and 2nd in Nationals. When she hears me sing she's embarrassed,lol. She says she doesn't think I'm tone deaf, just bad.
Been following you Justin since I started playing 14 yrs. ago & you made comments during some of those early tutorials that your not gonna sing because you can't, you”be since found your confidence & your voice....sounds great....cheers mate 🍻
Your perspective reminds me of what Ben Folds said in his autobiography about singing. Once he stopped trying unsuccessfully to sing and just did 'talky singing' he found he could do it.
Singing softly to stay in tune is good advice, gradually when you are ready, increase your volume and expression, walk before you can run is the basics behind learning the guitar and the same for singing.
This video gives confidence. Confidence in starting to sing. Singing is like getting naked in front of people. Record your singing first, listen to it, and get used to the sound of your voice. Everything after is practice. Just in guitar! So start today, singing is as important than laughing!
I been watching your videos for at least 10 years and your singing has improved immensely...I'm am sincerely surprised how much you have improved! Well done!
Our vocal cords in conjunction with pretty much the rest of the organs that produce sounds (except of course...) make us an amazing musical instrument. What has helped me become a singer that people don't frown upon is singing, singing, singing all the time and trying to sing like my favorite singers. It helps get to know your throat, nose, etc and what feels natural to you. Just like any other instrument, you have to practice, practice practice. Great video brother.
I was watching the video and was wondering when you were gonna mention proper key for your voice. Glad you got to it at the end. I find it to be the most essential step (second being, finding and knowing the melody). At jams I hear very good guitar players singing in a key that’s much too high for them. Of course some songs just have a big range and would be a challenge in any key, but most don’t and the performer is just not picking a key for a particular song that suits them. It seems many are married to the idea of playing in the original key. #1 tip- Gotta play with the song and pitch it just right for you.
In terms of personality, modesty and empathy/care for your viewers, you are at the top of the list Justin. I have learnt countless songs off of your channel. Your accuracy and patience are so helpful to players across the ability spectrum. Do not be put off by hateful morons who get off on trying to bring loftier souls down to their level. Shine on brother as you’ve done for countless years.
Oh this is just a brilliant video, Justin. This could have been specifically to/for me - everything in it resonated, from vocal coaches, strumming a bit too hard and therefore straining to match the volume, negative feedback from people, the lot. Tips like working out the melody on guitar - so obvious once you say it, "copying" singers you like in the way you'd lift a guitarist's licks etc, are incredibly helpful. Thanks so much - I''m going to keep coming back to this one. Well done, fella!
This is the first lesson that should be taught to all musicians. And repeated when needed, How beneficial! Even at my age this applies to other endeavors as well, thank you!
Great video Justin. This totally reflects my experience of having to learn to sing after avoiding it for 40 odd years! I found myself as frontman of a band about 3 years ago so did a Udemy singing course which was brilliant but based on, as you put it, the "classical" style of singing. Still, all the basics were there. The big thing I noticed when I started singing live was that nobody listens to your guitar playing - it's the singing that counts. It had always been about the guitar to me so this was a bit of a shock. I now do daily vocal exercises and concentrate on my singing almost as much as playing guitar. I would say that breathing is very, very important but luckily I've always had a high level of fitness so I can tend to focus on control of the breathing. The other thing is that I always stand up when playing now as it opens everything up. Finally, you are so right about reviewing your performances. There's always someone who has recorded you at an open mic or gig and to me, they are the recordings that count rather than the ones I do in my room. Once again, thanks.
I have been playing guitar for about 10yrs (thks to your lessons) but was not able to sing much less sing/play. Now working on improving my singing, this lesson really helps.. Thank you!!!
Such a great post for chronically struggling singers such as myself. I would like throw in that during a recital sound check I heard myself through monitors for the first time and discovered to my horror that my perception of my pitch was nowhere close to reality. In front of people is not the place to make this discovery. You are so right in saying you have to record yourself first and work it out. Live and learn.
When we were getting married, we took dance lessons for the wedding waltz. I can't dance! The teacher was trying to teach us something that an advanced couple would have had problems mastering in a competition. (Well, maybe not, but the routine was competition worthy) As the wedding day drew near, and it was obvious that I was not going to be able to do the routine, the teacher said, well you can just end it here, and repeat. But then I didn't have time to make the adjustment. The wedding dance was a disaster. The videographer was even laughing. So, Justin I fully appreciate that you are sharing what most of us want, just how to sing along. If I wanted to sound professional, I would go to a professional teacher. This vid. was perfect!
I think you are one of the very best teachers!! And you sing great in my opinion. I love that you play and sing with your lessons. You give the best well rounded lessons by doing so. One guitar teacher I also watch always apologizes with each lesson for his singing and says it’s for reference only. He is so sweet. It’s sad you get negative rude comments. So I hope these words of appreciation help brighten your day. Thank you for all you do!!
Justin, on the subject of straining, the most important tip I ever got was intended as a general one, which was "If you want to learn how to sing, do it with headphones on. (At the time, this required using an acoustic amp with headphone jack or Garage Band.) It felt like magic and really highlighted how much I'd been straining, to no good effect. To this day, if I've gotten out of shape, the best remedy is to start again through headphones. A few days of singing and it's fine to take them off again. On the subject of protecting our voices from injury, This Is The Voice, by John Colapinto addresses the consequences of excessive strain. Cheers, -G
@@timk6181 Yes. As in plugging guitar and mic into acoustic amp and then plugging headphones into the headphone jack on the amp. What you hear in your headphones is the levels and effects, including reverb, which would have come out of the loudspeaker. Everything you do will become less labored.
Justin have followed you for many years. Watched this video of your tips for singing. Its brilliant. So simple precise and honest. Well done mate. Ray.
Excellent tutorial! Thank you! For those of us with quieter voices who also play instruments, learning how to properly use a microphone becomes imperative. That should be the next lesson.
Thanks Justin, some good insights here. Confidence and relaxation seems to be the key for me, for both guitar and vocals. I also find my delivery goes up a level if i’m storytelling and emotionally attached to the actual lyrics and not just singing random words from a page. Good for you for continuing, I feel we are on a similar path vocally. Some days I feel I am a great singer and others I feel I should just not even try. But how can people like us not sing! Impossible. Keep at it! Another useful thing I did was work out my vocal range, which for me is from the lowest open E on the guitar to the C (8th fret) on the high E string. I try to stay within a few notes of that range. Now I am more comfortable, know my limits and can adjust cover songs accordingly. Using a capo to adjust your voice to certain songs can really help too. Sorry for essay. I hope I can help 1 person. Thanks again Justin! You’re an invaluable pro.
Thank you for this video, after playing in bands for over 30 years and never considering myself able to sing this has given me the confidence to actually have a go and at my next gig I'm hoping to sing a lead vocal for the first time ever
I’ve sung at open mics - one time a friend/coworker commented afterwards “you hit some of the notes!” It was embarrassing to hear but reflecting I realized he was right. In the end very helpful to hear. I know I was kind of phoning it in thinking about my guitar too much. I realized singing is most important and the guitar can just fade away at points. Guitar should be lead by the singer or there’s no song - f’up the playing but keep the song going and let the guitar catch up!
Great tutorial Justin. What I like about your videos, is that you always come across as genuinely wanting to help people. You have a warm personable style and that allows people to be able to really understand what you are saying. In that way, you are a true communicator. Keep up the good work.
This is exactly what helped me with my singing. Playing the melody of a song and singing the notes along. The tuning of the guitar is very important. Since I tuned it two half steps down I can sing much more relaxed. Interestingly some bands play live a half step down e. g. Incubus (drive). Thanx for the video Justin. Cheers
@@thomaserlhoff1156 my friend has a saying, capo up to sing down, slides the capo up the neck, same chords, until it fits his voice, it works pretty good
*More tips & free lessons:* www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/learning-to-sing-bg-1903
Hey Justin, I am a returning guitar player using your iPhone leasons app and am on module 9 now. Will you have any singing with guitar lessons on your app?
how did you post this comment 8 days ago when this video uploaded 1 day ago?
@@Jeb4100 Justin is a talented guy. He's also figured out time travel :-)
@@perro0076 woah
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You’re just such a breath of fresh air mate, music for the rest of us
So many have quit because of purists.
You make it ok to be just ok
❤️❤️❤️
Well said. Purists, both teachers and students have discouraged more players than anything else. Its about the joy of playing and singing
Very true! We can train to be pretty good, but may start off not so good... Negative feedback can kill our desire to even try!
Being okay is how you get good. Purists either don't remember, are jealous of their ability, or suck.
I can’t sing very well, but I can’t just play a song without singing lol.
Nirvana and everlast. A lot of their songs work well enough for my voice to not send everything in earshot running
Thats such bulls***. People trolling you about your singing. Meanwhile youre giving high quality lessons of your lifes work for free. My favorite part if your lessons is when you sing the chord voicings.
lol welcome to youtube, there could be a 5 star professional who made millions, giving a lesson and there still gonna be ppl saying they suck and are doing it wrong
Pay no attention to the very few negative people who have nothing better to do. Huge amount of positive responses to read and are well earned. Justin is an absolute gem
Couldn't agree more.
Haters gonna hate
this is one of the better start to sing vids I have ever seen. and he is a good singer, yes comments are often attacking on any music 🎵🎶 or artistic videos. thanks for calling them out!!!!
Hi Justin, I have never commented before.Recently, I met my guitar hero by pure accident. In Melbourne, I attended the Tommy Emmanuel concert which was superb! The following morning I went for breakfast with my wife at a little restaurant near the threatre. We were seated right next to Tommy and a friend. I had a lovely exchange with him and I treasure the meeting. Your lessons are absolutely sensational!! Apart from your guitar talent and singing, your personality is a real gift. You explain thins so well and you are a champion for all us aspiring guitar players. From the bottom of my 72 year old heart, thanks mate!!
OMG, when you started the “quiet singing” and the “talk singing” I literally teared up a little. This is the advice I’ve been looking for. I wish I would have had this video 36 years ago. Thank you. ❤️
OMG? Omiggoshini mankaboko Garadoda?
This man is a national treasure and we must protect him. 😇
I’ve been dealing w some serious depression for a long time and trying to learn guitar and sing helps me cope. I suck at both still but just watching your lessons honestly does give me hope. You’ve got a great character and refreshing honesty and directness that I love. I strive to be a little more that myself. Thank you.
Hang in there Shwen. I also find a lot of comfort in music and love Justin's videos. If you're having fun keep doing it, I also suck at both singing and playing but I don't care, it's fun. 🙂
I started playing just before I lost it with anxiety and depression. Guitar, even a few minutes a day was the only thing I could do and helped me immensely.
Stick with it and know that there's always light at the end of the tunnel. You will feel better.
I can SO relate. Keep your head held high!
Justin’s videos are like that good friend that you can sometimes lose touch with, but when you reconnect you remember why they are such a good friend. This was a helpful video. Thanks.
The point at the end about confidence is sooooo valid, as is your earlier point about feeling comfortable. I used to “sing in my head” because I thought my voice was so bad, but then I realised I wasn’t playing the tune I was “singing”.
I’m a woodworker and I made a really nice guitar hanger that I was proud of, then, shortly afterwards we had a couple of very close friends over for dinner and they remarked on the guitar hanging on the wall. They asked if I would play something and I made all the excuses about singing, but they insisted and as they are good friends I decided I didn’t mind sounding like a clown - I knew they wouldn’t be too harsh on me, so I cracked out Streets of London and was both surprised and pleased when they all (including my wife) started clapping. I was happy that my friends were being kind to me, but then they asked me to sing another song! I was surprised, because I don’t think I would want to listen to me singing twice, but as I had the instrument in my hand I did Hotel California and got an even louder clap!
The point of this tale is that I know (and so do they) that I’ll never be a great singer, BUT, what I did was to share some joy and that was the biggest motivator to make me sing more often.
So, in summary (I know it’s a long post, sorry), I would say, find some songs you like, sing while you practice, play for friends and family and just be happy - happiness is what music is all about, surely? (unless you’re a Leonard Cohen fan, of course, lol).
I wish this response had a love like button ❤
what do you mean by a Leonard Cohen fan?
@@Dontex1949 Most of Cohen’s music is dreary.
Helpful lesson Justin. I’m 74 years . I usually sing “in my head” when I play, but of course that’s not my own voice. I found the singy / talky in a low voice method very helpful.
Yeah. Me too. I am only 60 years old.😀
Me too. I'm 67, same thing. I took advice from another comment about tuning down a full step, and with my singy/talky voice, I'm having a lot of fun with it. If you try it, Sixteen Tons and Wellerman are fun. Thanks.
I'm turning 60 today and just about 5 years ago I decided to learn play guitar and sing from cero today after those years I'm still feel lost but I just want to keep going my main motivation is retirement and be able to an joy time with music I have learn basic cords but having difficulties strumming make it sound like music to my ears Singing since I have no idea what is my range I'm just jumping from all over I'm part a singing choir in my church but I want more 80 percent at list
My number 1 desire in learning guitar is not fast lead etc, but to be able to play and sing songs on acoustic to a decent standard. So I jumped on this!
This is an outstanding lesson. You have hit the nail on the head. I picked up the guitar a couple of years ago and went onto many TH-cam sites to learn the basics of guitar playing. Your tutorials are by far the best I have experienced - and there have been a lot - you are a born teacher. This singing tutorial is the best advice you have given. We are not all Pavarotti, but we all have a voice. I heard that Karen Carpenter had an extremely quiet singing voice and benefited from amplification. The world would have been a poorer place if she was told not to sing.
Did a youtube search and now I'm in love with those songs and her voice. Thank you for mentioning.
Hey Mick! You're exactly right about Karen Carpenter. Justin's comments about not straining/pushing or singing too loudly reminded me of an excerpt from a biography called "Little Girl Blue, The Life of Karen Carpenter". Karen was being driven to the studio with one of her friends and as she was warming up and singing in the car the friend was totally surprised how quiet her singing voice really was. It was mentioned in the book that Karen let the microphone do the work. It's a great read if you like the Carpenters.
So talented, yet so humble. Just an awesome human.
i m a singer for 30 yrs .. this is good advice .. I ve given vocal lessons .. The biggest thing is that when you sing , you need project ...obviously pitch is important ..
I recorded myself despite hating my voice. My singers have all told me to start singing. I was convinced I sounded bad. To my astonishment, I'm not a bad vocalist when I pick my fights well. GL, YOU GOT THIS!!!
Still the best singing lesson for guitarists on youtube. Thank you mate!
This is a wonderful lesson. You are one of the “demystifier”teachers that I really admire. You get down to students level and it shows your dedication as an educator. Thank you Justin.
Justin's the best man! I love him. 1.5 million subscribers, he's doing something right. Did his free electric guitar lessons, ended up paying for his lesson app. Best investment ever made other then my buying my first electronic guitar. Learned so much from him, opened up a whole new world. I've watched and listened to other TH-camrs, they are great as well. Justin is the best though and I am grateful for everything he has taught me.
Regarding dynamics. You're 100% spot on, Justin. The best analogy I've heard is your first day at the gym. If you go for max weights on your first day, nothing good will come of it. If you take your time and start light, over time, you will build your muscles and the strength will come. Very similar to working out our vocal chords and voices.
"when you are learning a new skill, its completely normal to suck at it". TRUTH. Keep falling down and getting back up. Great video Justin!
Justin- as a preformer of 20 years plus, I have to say I have STILL learned much from your video. And yes! You have improved! Thank you for humility and approach. I'm a folk singer and while voice lessons are great,I'm not Mr. American idol. This video was the best I've seen for helping in a super practical way. Most videos I see are without the addition of the guitar. Thank you so much!!
Great video! It's nice to learn from someone that can relate, someone that's in our shoes.
I think it's much easier to learn this way rather from a super vocal coach that never addresses the beginner issues that you cover. Major props!!
Man! The reason I subscribed to you is because you are real.
Much better for me to learn from someone who is also still learning.
Much more comfortable and encouraging to learn from someone who is honest and humble about their own talent.
Thank you.
Fascinating Jason. I'm still not there yet but I now think in similar terms. I try to "inhabit" a song, I spent too long trying to sing a Dylan song (for example) in his style. Much better to do your own interpretation. Unfortunately most of the stuff I like to do is by American singers and it hard to not try and effect a fake accent. As I said it's work in progress but your lesson is a huge inspiration. Many thanks.
I wish I would have had this video years ago. It sounds like a great starting point for total beginners and people who have low confidence in their singing. I had quite the same issues like you did and thought that I'll never be able to sing. I actually committed to taking singing lessons from local teachers, because quiting was no option for me. But I only experienced a noteworthy breakthrough after I got to my fourth teacher, one that was seeing me as an individual person and focusing on my voice and not standard lessons. So it definitely depends on how well you teacher fits to you, if your teacher trains your individual voice and doesn't simply use standard vocal exercises and most importantly how persistent you are. It took me over 4 years to get to a point where I like my singing voice and am confident enough not to feel hurt by other people's opinions. I believe it could have gone faster if my start weren't so rocky. Justin you're definitely one of the best teachers out there! You can even give valuable information about matters out of your expertise.
A Blue Ribbon panel of experts at the International Association of Excellence in Understatement has just released their decision on the biggest understatement of the 21st century. The panel determined that The Greatest Understatement of the 21st Century was contained in a TH-cam Video entitled "How not to suck at singing!" on a channel by the name of JustinGuitar. The statement, made by Justin himself, is as follows: "...I feel like I've made quite a decent amount of improvement [in singing] in the last few years." DUDE! To use Justin's terminology, intending no offense or ill will of course, Justin used to suck at singing. People watched his videos, despite this, because he was a good guitar player, an excellent, natural guitar teacher, and a pleasant, easy-to-listen-to all around likeable guy, even if he was not a good singer. They wished he could sing better, but ultimately they decided that it didn't matter. They liked him, and they learned from him. But then, he apparently decided that he would work at his singing, and get better at it. And, as a result, he went from "sucking" at singing to being a very good singer, who is enjoyable to listen to. Now, he has it all.
Yes! The recording helps so much. I had to start out recording just my speaking voice at first, for a couple of months. No music, no singing. I’ve hated my voice so much for so long, but after several months of recording, I’m starting to be able to at least listen back to some of it so that I can see what needs to be worked on.
Thank you, I had an absolute shocker of a singing teacher "I say, you do" would not discuss anything, did not prepare me to deal with stage fright etc. I like this approach much more.
It takes time to learn how to breathe and control your vocal cords. I learned by singing the same 20 songs with a tape in my car, for 2 hrs, 20 min/day, five days a week, for five years. Now I can cover anybody in my range. If you drive to a job every day, what better way to spend those boring hours.
Nice ideas
Thnx
Thanks!
Thanks for the thanks 😊
I've been struggling to learn guitar/sing and I came across this channel and I've been down this rabbit hole for hours... but I feel like I've learned more than I have in months on my own. Thank you Justin for these videos, you have no idea how much it helps and how happy that makes me
I've always wanted to sing while playing. This was great. Hendrix was never a good singer but it fitted what he played. He was in fact a 'talk singer'.
Just brilliant!
The best guitar teacher on TH-cam.
I spent A whole afternoon, looking at a bunch of TH-cam singing coaches. All of them were giving anything but the basics which is all I wanted. Your video was a home run! Thanks so much!
Justin this is a wonderful and encouraging lesson. I'm persisting with learning to sing along to my guitar tunes and this video helps on so many levels. You have such a genuine helpful character, simply one of the brightest stars in the universe of the internet!
I've found that over time, the vocal lessons do become part of you and work their magic.And your true voice comes through.Minus all that posture and ' Musical Show' tone.
You are great, Justin.Mind-boggling how much help you have given to so many !Thanks
Perfect timing again! One thing I’ve noticed about your singing is that you’ve really nailed your Neil Young tone. One of my favorites. ✌🏻🇺🇸
Justin I am so grateful for your videos. You have made a tremendous difference for me. Now you’ve taken it to a whole other level. Proper singing has been extremely difficult for me. This video has blown up my impression of what signing could be if I stop straining to reach a note the way I hear it. I’m excited to work with these exercises. So grateful for who you are and your commitment to teaching and improving.
I just joined a men's choir, having never been a singer. I didn't really know what I was getting into but I'm doing well enough to enjoy it and be invited to keep coming back. I'd say the conductor spends more time getting us to keep the dynamic down than push it up.
Thanks
Thanks for the thanks 😊
Sometimes people who are good at something gives the most awful advice because they have no idea what it's like to be a beginner. This video is great and will help a lot of people.
True. You’d ask a famous singer how you can improve singing. They would say « Sing as often as possible ». Professional singers keep their secrets secret.
This is the best video ever for a guitarist trying to learn to sing. Most others deal with the fancy vocal coaching stuff which is probably more relevant for singer-only people. Awesome work mate.
I wish I could meet Justin in person one day, because, man, do I wanna hug this dude.
I found holding the back of the guitar close to my chest and feeling the vibrations really helped me.
This was an awesome lesson. I have always felt that I can’t sing and was told I was tone deaf. I sing when I play alone and no one can hear me, but I don’t have the confidence even then. I know I hit the right note once in awhile and csn sing when I am singing along with the record or someone, so I know the ability is there. Anyway, this lesson has been an inspiration for me and I will do the ‘exercises’ you have mentioned. Thank you so much and I would love a sequel lesson to this one.
How do you inspire people? Prove you share or have shared in their struggles. Kudos to you, sir, for doing just that. You're already helping teach me to play the guitar; now you might start teaching me to sing as well!
Thank you,,I’ve been told over and over that I sing out of key,,luckily,at my age it doesn’t bother me,,but I want to sing better ,I picked up a uke and love it and love singing,,recording my voice and playin it back has helped,,
You´re awesome! i paid for your beginners course this year and feel so genuinely grateful for your contribution to this space. I sincerely hope you never get tired of hearing me say ¨Thank you" Greetings from Patagonia Chile!!
Love this guy! He's unpretentious, and such a natural teacher with whom you can easily follow and learn. ❤❤❤
17:11 I find working out the melody on the guitar especially helpful when I am transposing the song to a key better for my voice. Particularly useful at high points where your memory of the song can cloud your singing ear.
Keep on singing! I especially like when you sing the chord names in song tutorials, it is both useful and fun
5 minutes into the video, I knew it would be the best video on beginner-level singing. Support, posture, etc is extremely important for opera singers, but not that much for beginners and casual singers who sing at home and only if they are alone. Beginners should follow all your instructions in this video. I don’t have a powerful and I don’t want to sing loud. I think Folk music like Simon and Garfunkel and James Taylor’s Fire and Rain are the style most compatible with my Tenor voice and personality. Vocal coaches may have dreams of coaching future stars to get credit and recognition, so they think they need to train you as a solid professional singer.
there are a lot of singing coaches on You Tube with useful advice, you dont need to pay for their courses - my advice for serious singers would be to record your voice, it sucks to start with but gives you the feedback you need to improve - Justins site is great, i still use it frequently and i make my own music
Thanks Justin. You’ve made such a difference in my guitar playing…and now my singing!
Thanks for the thanks 😊
Justin, you are spot on, my teacher for guitar and singing, my friend Daniel Boone, taught me the same. Good lesson
Justin, what a great lesson. I had a patient who was a singing teacher, who said everyone can learn to sing its just a language. That doesn’t mean you’ll sound like Freddie, but ALL of us can sing IF we learn. Your tips about singing softly/dynamics are Gold - Chris Smithers sings out of the corner of his mouth! My only crit - no-one is tone deaf - it doesnt exist! Thanks again I’m going to back to training and use your tips!
When I first watched your videos, I remember thinking " Just get on with it" and watched hundreds of other TH-cam tutorials. Being a three-chord wonder for like 55 years(seriously) I wanted to "get it". I had pretty much excepted guitar playing and singing was for my ears only. Now I can hear you saying "Just get on with it". OK, You have an honest real, down-to-earth approach to teaching and broke it down enough to see the basic stuff I was not doing. You Teach not only how to play but also listen, and I am so glad I finally did. I am proud to have moved up to a multiple-chord wonder who on a good day can sing a few tunes.
I have you to thank for that. Still watching, Listening and learning.
I learned a lot of guitar from you as a beginner years ago. I never minded your singing , it beats guitar teachers that won't even have a go at it. It helped, so good job
You are my favorite online guitar teacher and I have noticed a marked improvement in your singing. Thanks for sharing these tips, they obviously worked for you!
I learned for singing more than the last years. Thank you so much 👍👍😃😃😃Best wishes from Germany
Love this video! Justin addresses many of the issues a lot of us struggle with. I had zero confidence after being humiliated and shamed at age 5 by a teacher in front of the entire class. Our kindergarten class was singing a song in front of the entire school and she said I ruined it.
This affected music lessons I took in later years where I was required to sing.
I had a similar experience at school which put me off singing for 40years
@@jonaldous6720 hopefully you've found a way to express yourself now that makes you happy.
Me too. I’ve hated singing ever since (60 years). I won’t sing for anybody’s money. I once got 3% in a ‘sing the note’ online lesson.
@@nigelmadeley7798 my granddaughter sings in a school choir, they took 1st place in state and 2nd in Nationals. When she hears me sing she's embarrassed,lol. She says she doesn't think I'm tone deaf, just bad.
Been following you Justin since I started playing 14 yrs. ago & you made comments during some of those early tutorials that your not gonna sing because you can't, you”be since found your confidence & your voice....sounds great....cheers mate 🍻
Your perspective reminds me of what Ben Folds said in his autobiography about singing. Once he stopped trying unsuccessfully to sing and just did 'talky singing' he found he could do it.
Singing softly to stay in tune is good advice, gradually when you are ready, increase your volume and expression, walk before you can run is the basics behind learning the guitar and the same for singing.
This video gives confidence. Confidence in starting to sing. Singing is like getting naked in front of people. Record your singing first, listen to it, and get used to the sound of your voice. Everything after is practice. Just in guitar! So start today, singing is as important than laughing!
Your words are mine exact ones. Love to play can't sing to save myself! Thanks for post and being honest.
I been watching your videos for at least 10 years and your singing has improved immensely...I'm am sincerely surprised how much you have improved! Well done!
Our vocal cords in conjunction with pretty much the rest of the organs that produce sounds (except of course...) make us an amazing musical instrument. What has helped me become a singer that people don't frown upon is singing, singing, singing all the time and trying to sing like my favorite singers. It helps get to know your throat, nose, etc and what feels natural to you. Just like any other instrument, you have to practice, practice practice. Great video brother.
I was watching the video and was wondering when you were gonna mention proper key for your voice. Glad you got to it at the end. I find it to be the most essential step (second being, finding and knowing the melody). At jams I hear very good guitar players singing in a key that’s much too high for them. Of course some songs just have a big range and would be a challenge in any key, but most don’t and the performer is just not picking a key for a particular song that suits them. It seems many are married to the idea of playing in the original key. #1 tip- Gotta play with the song and pitch it just right for you.
In terms of personality, modesty and empathy/care for your viewers, you are at the top of the list Justin. I have learnt countless songs off of your channel. Your accuracy and patience are so helpful to players across the ability spectrum. Do not be put off by hateful morons who get off on trying to bring loftier souls down to their level. Shine on brother as you’ve done for countless years.
Some of my favourite singers, Syd Barrett, Bob Dylan, Daniel Johnson.
It doesn't always matter about technical ability. If it works, it works.
Nice lesson. Not enough of this sort of thing out there for guitar students who would like to begin singing a bit.
Oh this is just a brilliant video, Justin. This could have been specifically to/for me - everything in it resonated, from vocal coaches, strumming a bit too hard and therefore straining to match the volume, negative feedback from people, the lot. Tips like working out the melody on guitar - so obvious once you say it, "copying" singers you like in the way you'd lift a guitarist's licks etc, are incredibly helpful. Thanks so much - I''m going to keep coming back to this one. Well done, fella!
This is the first lesson that should be taught to all musicians. And repeated when needed, How beneficial! Even at my age this applies to other endeavors as well, thank you!
Great video Justin. This totally reflects my experience of having to learn to sing after avoiding it for 40 odd years! I found myself as frontman of a band about 3 years ago so did a Udemy singing course which was brilliant but based on, as you put it, the "classical" style of singing. Still, all the basics were there. The big thing I noticed when I started singing live was that nobody listens to your guitar playing - it's the singing that counts. It had always been about the guitar to me so this was a bit of a shock. I now do daily vocal exercises and concentrate on my singing almost as much as playing guitar. I would say that breathing is very, very important but luckily I've always had a high level of fitness so I can tend to focus on control of the breathing. The other thing is that I always stand up when playing now as it opens everything up. Finally, you are so right about reviewing your performances. There's always someone who has recorded you at an open mic or gig and to me, they are the recordings that count rather than the ones I do in my room. Once again, thanks.
I have been playing guitar for about 10yrs (thks to your lessons) but was not able to sing much less sing/play. Now working on improving my singing, this lesson really helps.. Thank you!!!
What a great man, thanks for this superb tutorial. The Bob Ross of guitar playing
Brilliant lesson and totally agree with singing teachers taking me a different direction - this lesson was really helpful thank you so much.
Such a great post for chronically struggling singers such as myself. I would like throw in that during a recital sound check I heard myself through monitors for the first time and discovered to my horror that my perception of my pitch was nowhere close to reality. In front of people is not the place to make this discovery. You are so right in saying you have to record yourself first and work it out. Live and learn.
When we were getting married, we took dance lessons for the wedding waltz.
I can't dance!
The teacher was trying to teach us something that an advanced couple would have had problems mastering in a competition. (Well, maybe not, but the routine was competition worthy)
As the wedding day drew near, and it was obvious that I was not going to be able to do the routine, the teacher said, well you can just end it here, and repeat. But then I didn't have time to make the adjustment.
The wedding dance was a disaster.
The videographer was even laughing.
So, Justin I fully appreciate that you are sharing what most of us want, just how to sing along.
If I wanted to sound professional, I would go to a professional teacher.
This vid. was perfect!
You are such a fun and down to earth teacher.. great to listen to. Cheers
Your singing has improved so much.
This is extremely encouraging for an amateur like me. Thanks. :)
So good feels like your hitting right note with me Justin on same wave length keep it up thanks a lot.
Great video - You make singing accessible.
I think you are one of the very best teachers!! And you sing great in my opinion. I love that you play and sing with your lessons. You give the best well rounded lessons by doing so.
One guitar teacher I also watch always apologizes with each lesson for his singing and says it’s for reference only. He is so sweet.
It’s sad you get negative rude comments. So I hope these words of appreciation help brighten your day. Thank you for all you do!!
Joni Mitchell Both Sides Now
Could you do a lesson in this one?
Maybe fingerpicking one? Or simple strumming version?
Rude comments always come from people who think they are almost Robert Plant or so. Just do your thing. Thank you for your positive comment.
I think you sing just fine brother, no one’s perfect. On a scale of 1 to 10 I give you 8 or 9 keep it up
Wow! There is not too many people talking about finding your own voice. Thanks, great tips!!
Keep going man! Your singing is a helpful part of your guitar lessons.
Justin, on the subject of straining, the most important tip I ever got was intended as a general one, which was "If you want to learn how to sing, do it with headphones on. (At the time, this required using an acoustic amp with headphone jack or Garage Band.) It felt like magic and really highlighted how much I'd been straining, to no good effect. To this day, if I've gotten out of shape, the best remedy is to start again through headphones. A few days of singing and it's fine to take them off again.
On the subject of protecting our voices from injury, This Is The Voice, by John Colapinto addresses the consequences of excessive strain.
Cheers, -G
Do you mean sing into a mic which feeds into the headphones?
@@timk6181 Yes. As in plugging guitar and mic into acoustic amp and then plugging headphones into the headphone jack on the amp. What you hear in your headphones is the levels and effects, including reverb, which would have come out of the loudspeaker. Everything you do will become less labored.
Justin have followed you for many years. Watched this video of your tips for singing. Its brilliant. So simple precise and honest. Well done mate. Ray.
Excellent tutorial! Thank you!
For those of us with quieter voices who also play instruments, learning how to properly use a microphone becomes imperative. That should be the next lesson.
That would be a great lesson!
Thanks for this, I have to say, I super appreciate your singing in your tutorials.
Thanks Justin, some good insights here.
Confidence and relaxation seems to be the key for me, for both guitar and vocals.
I also find my delivery goes up a level if i’m storytelling and emotionally attached to the actual lyrics and not just singing random words from a page.
Good for you for continuing, I feel we are on a similar path vocally. Some days I feel I am a great singer and others I feel I should just not even try. But how can people like us not sing! Impossible. Keep at it!
Another useful thing I did was work out my vocal range, which for me is from the lowest open E on the guitar to the C (8th fret) on the high E string. I try to stay within a few notes of that range. Now I am more comfortable, know my limits and can adjust cover songs accordingly.
Using a capo to adjust your voice to certain songs can really help too.
Sorry for essay. I hope I can help 1 person. Thanks again Justin! You’re an invaluable pro.
Thank you. You have given me some inspiration to give it another go.
I sing on Smule all the time, it's great to practice and listen to your recordings
Thank you for this video, after playing in bands for over 30 years and never considering myself able to sing this has given me the confidence to actually have a go and at my next gig I'm hoping to sing a lead vocal for the first time ever
I’ve sung at open mics - one time a friend/coworker commented afterwards “you hit some of the notes!” It was embarrassing to hear but reflecting I realized he was right. In the end very helpful to hear. I know I was kind of phoning it in thinking about my guitar too much. I realized singing is most important and the guitar can just fade away at points. Guitar should be lead by the singer or there’s no song - f’up the playing but keep the song going and let the guitar catch up!
*Polyphia has entered the chat*
I really like this!
Great tutorial Justin. What I like about your videos, is that you always come across as genuinely wanting to help people. You have a warm personable style and that allows people to be able to really understand what you are saying. In that way, you are a true communicator. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Justin for your simple and honest tutorial.
This is exactly what helped me with my singing. Playing the melody of a song and singing the notes along. The tuning of the guitar is very important. Since I tuned it two half steps down I can sing much more relaxed. Interestingly some bands play live a half step down e. g. Incubus (drive). Thanx for the video Justin. Cheers
Instead of tuning down the guitar, can’t you just change the key you’re singing in?
@@v2807 Yes you are right, which means you change the chords. In the case of drive by incubus not useful, I think.
@@thomaserlhoff1156 my friend has a saying, capo up to sing down, slides the capo up the neck, same chords, until it fits his voice, it works pretty good
@@brendantindall805 OK I will check it out.