Any tips on learning songs on the fly?

[1987]

Hey,

I've recently been put in the situation where I'm constantly having to learn new songs. Usually I'm not comfortable with playing the song until I've transcribed the original bass line note for note (or as close as I can get it). The problem is, this is can be an extremely time consuming exercise (it depends on the material) and my concentration wavers severely after about an hour of intense transcription and often I don't have the luxury of time.

So my question is; 'When I have to learn songs I'm unfamiliar with in a short amount of time what should I do?' Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[ContactSB]

I would say find out what the root notes are of the song. From there you can build off of it. I am currently playing in a band that produces all original music. The greatest challenge for me is when a capo is added after learning a song. So my other tip is to train your ear. With a good ear, you can pick up the songs a lot faster and avoid the sheet music.

[Spencer!]

Originally Posted by 1987

Hey,

I've recently been put in the situation where I'm constantly having to learn new songs. Usually I'm not comfortable with playing the song until I've transcribed the original bass line note for note (or as close as I can get it). The problem is, this is can be an extremely time consuming exercise (it depends on the material) and my concentration wavers severely after about an hour of intense transcription and often I don't have the luxury of time.

So my question is; 'When I have to learn songs I'm unfamiliar with in a short amount of time what should I do?' Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Most songs have sections of the bass line that repeat, so learn the main phrases of each part and you've learned the song. You don't have to know every single fill, you can improvise those.

[lowphatbass]

Different players hear and learn in different ways. It really boils down how good your ears are and how good your memory is. If I were in your shoes I would devote much of my practice time to playing along with cd's, translating what you hear directly on to your bass, in real time. How you disect it all into edible, playable pieces is a very subjective and relative matter depending on what your musical backround may be and what style(s) of music your playing. The best way to get better at this is to spend alot of time doing it, your ears will open-up and start talking to your fingers, before long the pathway between the two will be a well travelled super-highway of efficiency!

[Mik-S]

Originally Posted by lowphatbass

your ears will open-up and start talking to your fingers, before long the pathway between the two will be a well travelled super-highway of efficiency!

nice theory - i hope to get that someday

[IAmTheDood]

one thing I've noticed since I started playing (granted I've only been playing for 2 months) .. and watching about 4 or 5 different "real good" cover song bar bands ... the bass players rarely play a song note for note from the original ...

they've been playing the songs for so long they add their own fills and play it how they think it should be played .. The basics of the song are still the same .. root notes, etc .. but fills and such are always different .. and until I started playing bass and listening to the bass lines of songs .... I never noticed.

[Joe Nerve]

I'm finding that the more I do it the quicker I get at it. I agree with the ear/finger super highway. I think that transcribing everything also hurts more than helps because it makes (at least my) ears lazy. When I have charts in front of me it takes me forever to memorize the simplest songs. When I learn them by ear they stick, and as I already said, it seems to take less and less time.

If I'm totally unfamiliar with the song I put it on cd and play it over and over in my car. Then I usually sit with it, learn it, rest, go back to it, and by the third time around I pretty much have it.

5 years ago I was able to get down about 5 covers a week. Now, when I have to, I can do that in a day.

Then again, as someone else already said - we all gotta find what works best for us. Going from transcriptions to basic charts and cheat notes might be step to speeding things up for you too.

[jamesblue]

I tend not too wory about the complex fills (unless it's a hook) and focus on the changes, feel and root notes (also 5ths & 3rd of the roots), then add my own flavor to the fills when I'm comfortable with the song.
Some songs and styles are more challenging than others. I would have alot of trouble with a style I'm not familiar with (Jazz and Reggie etc.)

[Paulb7664]

Hi All
For me I get the cords then work out the first, third and fifth of each chord. (watch out for Major and Minor) Find the scale with all these notes. Then work out the bass line from that scale. So far I've had good success using this method.
Is there a better way???

Thanks.

Paul

[Mikey D]

Just open those ears up...there is no quick way of doing this, some people find it easier than others. Sometimes i feel like my ears have been stuffed with insulting foam...I just can't hear the right note.

But keep in mind the tone centre in you head, this can help when trying to work out notes, find out (sing even) the note in relation to the key centre if you are stuggling to find it first time with your hands.

Also if I am learning chords, I don't learn the pitch ie G-Dm-C, think V-ii-I. This way you'll find it easier to play in different keys if the need arises.

Sing the part you are going to play and play along and sing it.

Keep learning songs slowly by ear, you'll be impressed with the rate that you learn future pieces the more you do, transcription is an essential part of helping your ear get used to pitchs, harmony, sounds and melodic shapes.

If I am playing a set of tunes I don't know, I will generally cop the basic grooves and form then play it my way. unless a part is particularly cool and I will transcribe the whole thing.

[Alec W. Conway]

When I play covers with my band, I just listen to the said song over and over and over and over until I can "hum-hum" it from beginning to end.

THEN I look at the tablature, so I know exactly what bunch of notes represent what part of the song and how its supposed to sound.

[1987]

Thanks for all the advice guys. My real problem is not the transcribing part, I just get so caught with the original bass lines that I can't add my own personal touch. I think I'll have to practice jamming with songs, rather than being so pedantic about every note.

[seanm]

When you said "on the fly" I thought you meant in a jam situation and I was going to say, "you have to get good at guessing and you have to get used to being wrong"

Not counting signature riffs, I never learn songs note for note. For one, even the original band probably does not play note for note what is on the album. You want to simplify complex lines a bit for a live situation.

Two, I will remember it better if it fits my style. So I use the original as a template. You can learn a lot by transcribing a song note for note and it can be a very worthwhile endeavor. But in the end *you* have to play it.

Most people do not know the bass line to songs they know well. A common experience is to have somebody come up to you and say "Dude, you played that song just like the album!" when you where just winging it.

[brianrost]

If it's really on the fly...i.e. on the bandstand...I just try to recall the feel of the song (if I've heard it before) and then apply my usual bag of bass line tricks to get that feel. Most times I'm not even close to what was on the record but if it locks with the drummer and the rhythms played by everyone else then mission accomplished.

If it's the learn 40 songs in two days from a garbled sounding tape scenario then I just figure out the chord changes, listen for signature licks in the bass line and improvise the rest.

Transcription is great for education purposes, working out complex lines note for note and writing them down lets you study and analyze them at your leisure. It's less useful for learning new repertoire, I may write up some chord charts to get a handle on the arrangement but almost never write out any of the bass line.