Looking at left hand while playing

[KarenB]

I'm getting back into guitar after many years of not being able to play much (injury to thumb). Feels like I'm starting over in many ways.

Eventually I want to sing into a mic while playing If while I'm practicing I'm looking at my left hand, my head won't be in the right postion for singing into a mic.

Seems like when I'm practicing,(learning something) I need to look at my left hand. And then over time I can practice not looking at my hand. Does this sound like a good strategy?

My playing moves around the fingerboard...not just playing at the first few frets.

Thanks for your thoughts

[mr. beaumont]

Absolutely. The only way to get the point of not looking is to practice not looking. Being very comfortable with your material is an important part of this.

And keep in mind, if you're changing positions a lot, get good at "stealing a look" too.

[KDepew]

I agree with the "stealing a look". I glance when I can to make sure on track. It is all about the practice.

[Mr. Jelly]

You have to look at your left hand sometimes. Get back to learning the guitar and it'll work out.

A performance trick I started doing was to put my music stand about neck level on the neck side of me. This way when I needed a quick reminder of the words I'd glance in that direction. All this really did was make it look like I wasn't glancing at the words. As all guitarist look at the neck at times. I came up with this because I was seeing performers in person or in pictures starring at the music stand and I though it didn't look cool.

[YamahaGuy]

Best advice I was given early on: practice how you plan on playing, i.e. standing up, behind a mic, singing, etc. I know so many people who can play great sitting down, or not singing, and have played a L o n g time, and are good, but put them behind a mic standing up and they're like a fish out of water.

From week one, I practiced singing and playing. I actually practice praying and playing (I am a worship leader) and that is very hard to do with it sounding ok. People ask me how I can do that. I practice doing it.

Don't look at that left hand if at all possible, because at some point, you're gonna have to look at the crowd and that's a whole new can of worms.

Best of luck.

[rick-slo]

While singing the guitar playing is almost always simplified enough so that you can readily maintain audience eye contact. You can elaborate the guitar work and look at the fretboard during parts of the song where you are not singing.

[TBman]

It will come with practice. I use to impress the girls by playing guitar with the lights out, and with no mistakes. Just takes time.

[KarenB]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. After not playing for so long, so many things that were learned and imbedded need to be re-learned. I will be patient with myself and stay focused on the joy of being able to play again. (my mantra)

[cattzap]

Practice in the dark.