When playing guitar when I try to play syncopated it sends my timing off. Anythi

Question:I have a backing track for a song I am trying to play along to. Each chord in the verse is given 2 beats apart from the last chord of 4 beats.

When I play simply all down strums, or down up strumming on the beat theres nothing wrong with my timing. Its when I try to play with some syncopation as it should be played that I normally end up missing a half beat or so by the end of the verse.

I think my problem is that I cannot tap my foot independently of my hand. I can't seem to train my foot to tap a constant beat when my hand is doing something different.

Are there any excersises I can do to help? I know it shouldn't be a problem if I have a backing track to just copy the timing from, but normally I'm playing slightly ahead of what I should by the time the next verse starts.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have a backing track for a song I am trying to play along to. Each chord in the verse is given 2 beats apart from the last chord of 4 beats.

When I play simply all down strums, or down up strumming on the beat theres nothing wrong with my timing. Its when I try to play with some syncopation as it should be played that I normally end up missing a half beat or so by the end of the verse.

I think my problem is that I cannot tap my foot independently of my hand. I can't seem to train my foot to tap a constant beat when my hand is doing something different.

Are there any excersises I can do to help? I know it shouldn't be a problem if I have a backing track to just copy the timing from, but normally I'm playing slightly ahead of what I should by the time the next verse starts.

I'm assuming,that the backing track has drums.So if you listen to the drum part and tap your foot on the downbeat(bass drum,highhat,snare,etc..) without playing your guitar,at least all the way through once,preferably as many times as it takes for you to make no errors on your foot tapping.Then hopefully you will feel the groove of the beat.Then try playing the guitar part and incorporating the syncopation by skipping some of the foot tapping when it interferes with your timing.But start tapping on the downbeats as soon as your guitar part rejoins with the downbeat.

So you should end up tapping some of the time,(when the downbeat and guitar are solid).Another thing you can do is to nod your head at the guitars syncopation,but tap your foot on the downbeat.Don't get discouraged and keep at it,with enough practice it will become second nature to play in time.Later days,and hope this helps you.

At least you know how to play it! I'd give anything to learn but I can't!!! :-(

I don't play guitar. But this seems interesting to me.

Some people have dificulties making to different beats at the same time. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to.

It might help to train your body doing different exercises at once.

I know this probably isn't a helpful answer!