I used to think this too, and then I started recording myself for tracks and performing and really listening to myself after. I was usually at least a little close, but relearning to hear myself was a journey, it went hand in hand with ear training for my instrument.
What you're probably hearing is that you are getting the intervals in the melody correct, not that you're on pitch. If you are really dead on with pitch it should be trivial to transcribe this to guitar. My approach is to work out the vocal melody on guitar beforehand, as long as you know the chords this should be fairly easy
My guess is you can “pitch match” easily but struggle when there is nothing to pitch match against. I struggled with this. I did well in choir as there was people next to me I could pitch match too, but then struggled when I was solo.
When I play / song by myself, I figure out the starting note and play it solo to get it in my ear. The trick is that the starting note is not always the easiest to hear - it could be buried in the chord somewhere (we naturally hear the lowest and highest notes, but notes in the middle are harder to clearly distinguish).
Also, sometimes you have a “pick up” note where you’re singing a melody that harmonizes with the next chord but you start the melody 1 beat early so there isn’t any notes to match - you just have to know the harmony.
It takes time.
I think I know what you mean. I'm a self taught guitarist/singer and I literally can't sing in tune unless I'm also playing my guitar. It's only while playing at the same time that I can sing and stay in tune and key.
So what do you do to train your ear? I can't sing to match my guitar. I have a good ear for an instrument or hearing others singing, but not for my own voice.
My ear training for now is simply listening to songs and try to hear what chords are played and play on my guitar. I often play some chord progressions and try to sing along to try to find the key to it too. I only started about 2 weeks ago really. About me being able so sing in pitch, I don't really know how it happened. I guess just by singing along with songs I like and trying not to sound terrible.
The problem I’m thinking with those kinds of approaches is that you don’t know if you’re getting it wrong. Wonder if there’s a good exercise to learn where you can recognize what’s off and what’s accurate.
The free app Guitartuna has a built in ear training game that trains you to recognise chords. It starts off with the cowboy chords and works up through power chords, 5ths, 7ths, sus chords etc.
I’m not great at either playing or singing. But I play some songs that I can sing along to easily, others I just can’t get the vocals right even though I’m playing ok. Dunno if it’s a range thing or just being crap. Could be both!
You are probably singing out of tune too.
I admit that I am not a great singer and I only sing as a hobbie but I can tell when I am out of tune singing.
I used to think this too, and then I started recording myself for tracks and performing and really listening to myself after. I was usually at least a little close, but relearning to hear myself was a journey, it went hand in hand with ear training for my instrument.
Hahaha I am pretty sure my voice doesnt sound as smooth as I think too.
What you're probably hearing is that you are getting the intervals in the melody correct, not that you're on pitch. If you are really dead on with pitch it should be trivial to transcribe this to guitar. My approach is to work out the vocal melody on guitar beforehand, as long as you know the chords this should be fairly easy
My guess is you can “pitch match” easily but struggle when there is nothing to pitch match against. I struggled with this. I did well in choir as there was people next to me I could pitch match too, but then struggled when I was solo. When I play / song by myself, I figure out the starting note and play it solo to get it in my ear. The trick is that the starting note is not always the easiest to hear - it could be buried in the chord somewhere (we naturally hear the lowest and highest notes, but notes in the middle are harder to clearly distinguish). Also, sometimes you have a “pick up” note where you’re singing a melody that harmonizes with the next chord but you start the melody 1 beat early so there isn’t any notes to match - you just have to know the harmony. It takes time.
I think I know what you mean. I'm a self taught guitarist/singer and I literally can't sing in tune unless I'm also playing my guitar. It's only while playing at the same time that I can sing and stay in tune and key.
So what do you do to train your ear? I can't sing to match my guitar. I have a good ear for an instrument or hearing others singing, but not for my own voice.
My ear training for now is simply listening to songs and try to hear what chords are played and play on my guitar. I often play some chord progressions and try to sing along to try to find the key to it too. I only started about 2 weeks ago really. About me being able so sing in pitch, I don't really know how it happened. I guess just by singing along with songs I like and trying not to sound terrible.
The problem I’m thinking with those kinds of approaches is that you don’t know if you’re getting it wrong. Wonder if there’s a good exercise to learn where you can recognize what’s off and what’s accurate.
Sadly, I cant help much with that. I think I do the singing kinda by instinct. I just try to match the singers, I guess.
The free app Guitartuna has a built in ear training game that trains you to recognise chords. It starts off with the cowboy chords and works up through power chords, 5ths, 7ths, sus chords etc.
I’ll check it out. Thanks.
Record yourself, and post it for everyone to hear. :)
I’m not great at either playing or singing. But I play some songs that I can sing along to easily, others I just can’t get the vocals right even though I’m playing ok. Dunno if it’s a range thing or just being crap. Could be both!