(Don't Fear) The Reaper

Kudos1994 · #1 04-17-2011, 09:24 PM

So I am doing this song for my school's talent show and tryouts are this Wednesday. I have a full tablature of the song, but I am still learning it. I spend almost five hours today doing nothing but trying to learn the song. I just need tips or anything. One thing in specific, should I learn the whole song, and then try and perfect it? Or perfect parts of the song as I go? The actual talent show itself is in 2 weeks. Is it even possible for me to learn this? I've been playing bass for about a year and a half. I'd say I'm still an amateur. Thanks TB peeps.

Muzoid · #2 04-17-2011, 09:32 PM

As with any instrument...learning songs in sections is best.

For something like this, I'd focus on Intro, then Verse 1, then Chorus and so on...

(shorter sections if needed)

Start to finish is time wasted in comparison.

cataract · #3 04-17-2011, 10:13 PM

Like Muzoid said.. baby steps are the way to go!
I pretty much learned how to play the bass by listening/learning/playing along with CDs back in the day.
I've always broken basslines down into individual parts.

Start at the beginning of the song.
Practice playing the first part until you've memorized the note progression and can play through it comfortably and easily.

Figure out the next part of the song.
Run through it (by itself) until you feel comfortable enough to move on to playing the first part of the song PLUS the second part of the song in a single go.

Rinse. Repeat.

It's really all about memory. Or perhaps muscle memory.
I've had several of my non-musical friends ask me how I could possibly memorize and be able to play the notes and progressions for all of the songs that my band has written (or any song, really) and I didn't know what to tell them.. Maybe others here have had the same question asked of them. Chalk it up to something that magically happens the more you play and practice. Your fingers will know where they need to be and when they need to be there.

Kudos1994 · #4 04-18-2011, 11:50 AM

Wow. It does make sense. I can play a few songs all the way through, and it's as if I don't really need to think of where my fingers should be. They just go where they're supposed to. Hmm. Okay well thanks a bunch guys. I think I'll go practice now!