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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Learning Songs
Posted by: AK Rich Dec 10 2011, 10:11 PM
Hey everyone,
Here I go again picking at your brain 
Was just wondering how you guys go about learning songs, Do you simply try to learn by ear, Use Tablature or musical notation, Use media players or software to slow the song down, or all of the above? Any other methods?
Basically what I do is learn as much as I can by ear, Including using Windows media player to slow it down for fast passages or just to get the phraseing right,and then Tabs if there is something I just cant figure out.Or even listen to see how other players cover the song,
The biggest problem for me really is that some songs are hard to make out the notes at very slow playback speeds if there is alot of mud or effects on the song, or the sound of other instruments making it hard to hear the notes being played.
Regarding media players and such ,Do you guys know of any media players or software that can somehow isolate the guitar parts to be heard more clearly or even just a player that doesnt sound as muddy at slow playback speeds.
Also, when you are learning cover tunes, are you a stickler for trying to play the song as it is written or do you like to come up with your own arrangement or solos? Does it depend on what song it is?
Looking forward to your responses guys and thanks alot!
Peace! Rich...
Posted by: Nihilist1 Dec 10 2011, 10:19 PM
Here I go again picking at your brain
Was just wondering how you guys go about learning songs, Do you simply try to learn by ear, Use Tablature or musical notation, Use media players or software to slow the song down, or all of the above? Any other methods?Basically what I do is learn as much as I can by ear, Including using Windows media player to slow it down for fast passages or just to get the phraseing right,and then Tabs if there is something I just cant figure out.Or even listen to see how other players cover the song,
The biggest problem for me really is that some songs are hard to make out the notes at very slow playback speeds if there is alot of mud or effects on the song, or the sound of other instruments making it hard to hear the notes being played.
Regarding media players and such ,Do you guys know of any media players or software that can somehow isolate the guitar parts to be heard more clearly or even just a player that doesnt sound as muddy at slow playback speeds.
Also, when you are learning cover tunes, are you a stickler for trying to play the song as it is written or do you like to come up with your own arrangement or solos? does it depend on what song it is?
Looking forward to your responses guys and thanks alot!
Peace! Rich...
For me, it depends. I have an hour for ear training every day. So the songs that I delegate to that, I learn by ear only. Otherwise, I try looking up the tabs on www.911tabs.com
That place is the google of guitar tablature.
As for software to slow it down, I use none. I try to take it a bar at a time. If you are interested in slowing the track down, check these out. One is for CD's and the other is for MP3's. You may have seen them already, but here they are anyway:
First the CD version:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/tascam-cd-gt2-portable-cd-guitar-trainer
Now, the MP3 version:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/tascam-gb-10-guitar-bass-trainer-recorder
When learning cover tunes, I try to play it like exactly like the artist. The only time I don't is when I am transcribing a musician who plays a different isntrument, but that is obvious
I hope this helped!
Posted by: Tangomouse Dec 10 2011, 10:40 PM
Tab or watch a video tutorial, thats how i do it, im not blessed to listen by ear.. i wish i could
Posted by: llibach Dec 10 2011, 11:17 PM
I've got a Tascam mp3 guitar trainer. great piece of kit to learn songs. You download your songs on to it and you can slow the tempo without losing pitch, it can get a little muddy but it does the job well. It also allows you to change the key of the song so that you don't have to downtune for certain songs. It's also a nice size to take anywhere.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 10 2011, 11:19 PM
I like learning songs by ear and when I have any doubt I check any video at youtube of the musician playing the song to check in which part he plays the song. I like using guitar pro file just to have a backing to practice the song.
Posted by: Tangomouse Dec 10 2011, 11:44 PM
I too use Guitar pro, I have around 28.000 "Twenty eight thousand" Guitar pro tabs "some maybe repeated files", my guitar pro tab folder says 28000 files. Anyway if anyone wants em just giz a shout the folder is around 700mb
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 10 2011, 11:54 PM
hahah that's a big amount man!! I'll let you know if I need any gp file.
Posted by: Gary Dec 11 2011, 01:28 AM
I am a big GP fan as well.
28,000 files!! You have just been appointed the official GMC / GP Librarian
Cheers!
Gary
Posted by: Nihilist1 Dec 11 2011, 01:41 AM
Just keep at it. It is hard at first.
I was inspired by Jeff Beck to play "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles by ear. The catch is, I learned the vocal line on guitar first.
Start with putting the vocals onto your guitar, then you will be able to play anything by ear.
Posted by: Tangomouse Dec 11 2011, 06:56 PM
I was inspired by Jeff Beck to play "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles by ear. The catch is, I learned the vocal line on guitar first.
Start with putting the vocals onto your guitar, then you will be able to play anything by ear.
I've been playing 8 years, 9 in feb.. I downloaded Pure Pitch Method by Ryan Cameron ear training software, I never got around to going through it and downloaded it over a year ago! maybe its time it did get around to it...!
Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 11 2011, 07:31 PM
I've always learnd stuff by ear. But when there's something really feels impossible I go for a good to help me out,
But I think for this you need to have good scales knowledge
Posted by: dark dude Dec 11 2011, 07:39 PM
If I'm learning by ear, I'll use the Amazing Slow Downer, and slowly tab out small sections in Guitar Pro. I'll try to look for hints by figuring out the scalar possibilities and what not, and if I'm having a tough time, I'll look up a video of the band playing it (although I try not to, in an attempt to improve my ear). I always stick to learning the song as it is, I don't add my own changes.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 11 2011, 08:12 PM
Amazing Slow Downer? I don't know it...
Posted by: dark dude Dec 11 2011, 10:10 PM
Guthrie mentions it in Creative Guitar 1, but I found it before that. Works for me
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 11 2011, 10:28 PM
Well, here's how I do it usually:
1. Listen to the song and memorize the arrangement
2. Try to play it by ear
3. If step 2 not possible, find tabs
4. If step 3 not possible, use AIMP player for slowing down the song and going step by step
5. If it's not needed to play the song note by note, skip all the steps, bash chords, and improvise solo 
Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Dec 11 2011, 10:48 PM
Regarding media players and such ,Do you guys know of any media players or software that can somehow isolate the guitar parts to be heard more clearly or even just a player that doesnt sound as muddy at slow playback speeds.
I know there are some programs that isolate the desired instrument, but it is necessary that the instrument is strictly in the center of the sound image. Perhaps to try to reduce high and bass in the equalizer. AIMP2 player is good for such things , but you should know-all over 30 percent sounds muddy !
Posted by: Tangomouse Dec 11 2011, 11:22 PM
I know there are some programs that isolate the desired instrument, but it is necessary that the instrument is strictly in the center of the sound image. Perhaps to try to reduce high and bass in the equalizer. AIMP2 player is good for such things , but you should know-all over 30 percent sounds muddy !
I don't know if this is any use to you.. http://renegademinds.com/Products/GuitarDrumTrainer/tabid/65/Default.aspx
I found it last night when this topic came up..! I haven't downloaded it yet!
Edit: just got it from a well known torrent site...
Posted by: maharzan Dec 12 2011, 04:13 AM
I usually get the tabs if I can access one. Then if its a video, thats even great coz you get to know where its played and how its played. For slower songs, I can transcribe by ear and play but for faster ones, its almost impossible. I have done few using Quicktime 7 Pro on my mac to slow things down to like 50% and transcribe. For faster songs with tabs, I usually do the same, slow it down 50% and make fingers get used to the fingering then make it faster and time goes on until I can play at 100% playback speed. Has worked great although its always best to do everything by ear. Tabs, you forget them easily.
Posted by: JaxN4 Dec 12 2011, 04:23 AM
1. Listen to the song and memorize the arrangement
2. Try to play it by ear
3. If step 2 not possible, find tabs
4. If step 3 not possible, use AIMP player for slowing down the song and going step by step
5. If it's not needed to play the song note by note, skip all the steps, bash chords, and improvise solo
I love your step 5.... just like the "little Stones" on your FB.... you make me laugh.....
Posted by: Nihilist1 Dec 12 2011, 08:16 AM
http://www.miles.be/
It is free and it works really well. It is how I really got started. I used it for one month just practicing the C Major scale for an hour every other day.
Posted by: Marcus Desaiha Dec 12 2011, 09:36 AM
Here I go again picking at your brain
Was just wondering how you guys go about learning songs, Do you simply try to learn by ear, Use Tablature or musical notation, Use media players or software to slow the song down, or all of the above? Any other methods?Basically what I do is learn as much as I can by ear, Including using Windows media player to slow it down for fast passages or just to get the phraseing right,and then Tabs if there is something I just cant figure out.Or even listen to see how other players cover the song,
The biggest problem for me really is that some songs are hard to make out the notes at very slow playback speeds if there is alot of mud or effects on the song, or the sound of other instruments making it hard to hear the notes being played.
Regarding media players and such ,Do you guys know of any media players or software that can somehow isolate the guitar parts to be heard more clearly or even just a player that doesnt sound as muddy at slow playback speeds.
Also, when you are learning cover tunes, are you a stickler for trying to play the song as it is written or do you like to come up with your own arrangement or solos? Does it depend on what song it is?
Looking forward to your responses guys and thanks alot!
Peace! Rich...
Hey mate!
There are some steps that I always take.
1st step is tabbing the song. It is something I really enjoy to do, simply love the sound of midi! It also helps the learning process alot since you've already analysed the parts you're gonna learn when its time to practice.
When the problem of not hearing whats going on in the song occurs I'm lucky to have a friend who isolates the guitar sound in Logic pro for me, bad news is, I don't know how he does it, I just know it is possible to do with that software.
2nd step is practicing the structure, I take it pretty slow, and I try to get used to the whole structure of the song in my muscle memory, not spending too much time on details or playing it 100/100. Just try to learn the feel and way the song is headed.
3rd step is practicing the details, I slow down the tempo alot and isolate the hardest parts, I practice them until I'm comfortable with a raise in BPM. I usually go with: "If you can play it flawlessly 3 times in a row, increase the speed with 5 BPM." And do this until you're able to play it at full speed.
When I'm done with the 3 steps above I go over to the 4th step which is playing the song, over and over and over again.
4th step is basicly, and I quote, what I think it was Steve Vai saying.
"You got to stick at it, stick at it and stick at it! Then you will be able to play it perfect and beautifully. Become one with the music"
And I usually apply thoose steps to everything I practice, not only songs
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by: AK Rich Dec 15 2011, 03:59 AM
Wow this extremely cool man! Thanks so much to everyone responding to this thread!! just tons of great responses and link to software and hardware and tips.You guys are a wealth of information on this. I hope other people will find this as usefull as I have. I think I am going to try the Amazing Slow Downer that Dark Dude mentioned.Thanks D! 
here is a link if anyone else wants to check it out.
http://www.ronimusic.com/amsldowin.htm
correct me please if this is not the one DarkDude.
I also found these.
http://www.audiosnail.com/AudioSnail/index.asp
http://www.songsurgeon.com/page/amazing_slow_downer.html
I wanted to check out the one Tangomouse found but the link doesnt seem to be working now for some reason.
Also here is a link to the media player that Ivan and Sinisa mentioned. I may have to try this one as well. Its the AIMP2 media player and its free, also there is an AIMP3 in beta.Thanks Ivan and Sinisa! Oh yeah Step 5 is the Bomb man love it Ivan!!
http://www.aimp2.us/
Once again thanks everyone for the sharing your methods ,resourses ,hardware and software to help us all learn some new tunes. You guys are awesome and I really appreciate it GMC Rules!!
Peace!! Rich...
Posted by: Alex Feather Dec 15 2011, 04:39 AM
I never use tabs anymore. I try to pick it out by ear and transcribe it because I like the challenge. Also, transcription helps you improve by leaps and bounds.
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