Learning Songs, What methods do you use? Options

[AK Rich]

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...

This post has been edited by AK Rich: Dec 10 2011, 10:13 PM

[Nihilist1]

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...

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...-guitar-trainer

Now, the MP3 version:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories...rainer-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!

[Tangomouse]

Tab or watch a video tutorial, thats how i do it, im not blessed to listen by ear.. i wish i could

[llibach]

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.

[Gabriel Leopardi]

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.

[Tangomouse]

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.

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

[Gabriel Leopardi]

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

hahah that's a big amount man!! I'll let you know if I need any gp file.

[Gary]

I am a big GP fan as well.

28,000 files!! You have just been appointed the official GMC / GP Librarian

Cheers!
Gary

[Nihilist1]

Tab or watch a video tutorial, thats how i do it, im not blessed to listen by ear.. i wish i could

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.

[Tangomouse]

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.

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...!

[Daniel Realpe]

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

[dark dude]

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.

[Gabriel Leopardi]

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.

Amazing Slow Downer? I don't know it...

[dark dude]

Amazing Slow Downer? I don't know it...

Guthrie mentions it in Creative Guitar 1, but I found it before that. Works for me

[Ivan Milenkovic]

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

This post has been edited by Ivan Milenkovic: Dec 11 2011, 10:29 PM

[Sinisa Cekic]

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 !

[Tangomouse]

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 !

I don't know if this is any use to you.. http://renegademinds.com/Products/GuitarDr...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...

This post has been edited by Tangomouse: Dec 11 2011, 11:25 PM

[maharzan]

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.

[JaxN4]

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

I love your step 5.... just like the "little Stones" on your FB.... you make me laugh.....

[Nihilist1]

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...!

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.