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Learning Songs, What methods do you use?
Marcus Desaiha
Dec 12 2011, 09:36 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 32
Joined: 27-November 11
From: Sweden
QUOTE (AK Rich @ Dec 10 2011, 10:11 PM) *
Hey everyone,

Here I go again picking at your brain smile.gif 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! smile.gif

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 smile.gif

Cheers
Marcus


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AK Rich
Dec 15 2011, 03:59 AM
Learning Guitar Hero
Posts: 3.553
Joined: 10-September 11
From: Big Lake, Alaska
Wow this extremely cool man! cool.gif 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! biggrin.gif 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! biggrin.gif Oh yeah Step 5 is the Bomb man love it Ivan!! laugh.gif

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 biggrin.gif GMC Rules!! cool.gif

Peace!! Rich...

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This post has been edited by AK Rich: Dec 15 2011, 04:01 AM
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Alex Feather
Dec 15 2011, 04:39 AM
Instructor
Posts: 4.332
Joined: 21-November 11
From: Los Angeles
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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