What are some tips for playing guitar and singing at the same time?

I had this problem for a very long time. It is not easy to sing and play at the same time. Let me guess, your voice wants to do what your hands are doing, or vice versa? lol....It does take practice. What I did was sing the song a few times through and just try to play the guitar rhythm with my hands (using just air) And then I picked up the guitar and played the rhythm while humming the song a few times through...and then eventually moved on to singing and doing the guitar rhythm without actually touching the strings...after getting a really good hold on the two separate rhythms, i put them together and was able to sing and play. The good new is, once you master this for a few songs, you'll be able to sing and play at the same time without any practice..

I suck nuts at multi tasking so I struggle while doing that as well. Hell, it's a miracle I can even play the guitar at all...

Either way if you're like me practice does make perfect, INGRAIN the guitar part into your muscles by playing it over and over and then start adding your singing and then just keep doing it.

Unfortunately for poor souls like me you reall have to pound it into your body before it can get up to par with doing both at once.

I wish there was some magic formula or technique but this is hands down the best way in my experience.

I'm no expert at this subject, but the thing that has helped me the most has been knowing one part completely.

Try learning how to play the guitar part pretty well, then try singing, or vice versa.

It worked pretty well for me.

Hope it works for you too!

heres what i've learned from watching taylor swift's live videos. when u sing the verses, lower the volume of your guitar but turn it up again at the end of each line. ur voice and ur guitar should cooperate with each other well and work together to get the effect in the chorus. i struggle with that sometimes too but keep working and u'll get a lot better!

Don't Focus on either just keep in mind that you are doing it try filming yourself and playing it back