How do you learn covers?

[BassNut93]

i was curious to see how other people learned songs. as for my self, i prefer listening to a song rather than looking up tab or searching though piles of sheet music.

[Chasarms]

After 20 years, I have discovered that there are only about 15-20 tunes that exist. Learning a new cover is just a matter of listening to it to see which one it is.

[berwick63]

Originally Posted by Chasarms

After 20 years, I have discovered that there are only about 15-20 tunes that exist. Learning a new cover is just a matter of listening to it to see which one it is.

Not quite as much experience as you(Your 20 years almost matches my 23 years of life) but i agree. There really is only a few different patterns out there, and most songs are built around them.

I will occasionally look up a certain part that really "makes" the song or whatever, but other than that, I play by ear, and what feels right.

[JimmyM]

I listen mostly but sometimes I get sheet music and read it. Tabs are a joke and just slightly better than useless, so I never use them.

[Floyd Eye]

By ear.

[JetBlackJazz]

very carefully

[onosson]

Depends on the situation. If I have time, it goes in my iTunes, my iPod, and a cd in my van, then it becomes part of my daily listening for a few days till it becomes familiar.

If I have less time, such as for the thirty tunes I had to learn last week, then I spend an hour or two and make brief notes (one page per set, one line per song).

If I have even less time I go with the most efficient and foolproof method - watch the guitarist's hands like a hawk!

[kander]

Originally Posted by Chasarms

After 20 years, I have discovered that there are only about 15-20 tunes that exist. Learning a new cover is just a matter of listening to it to see which one it is.

+1. We're lucky that we're not singing lyrics.

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I listen mostly but sometimes I get sheet music and read it. Tabs are a joke and just slightly better than useless, so I never use them.

"Butter" helps!

[Mike M.]

These days my only gig is the rare and occasional "fill in" I do at church.

I figure out those songs like I always have; I first listen to them over and over to get them pounded into my head. Once I have them fairly memorized I will then grab my bass and start to figure it all out.

Works for me and always has.

[Pilgrim]

Listening and tackling a measure or two at a time. I generally fire up YouTube and go back and forth thru a version of the number I like; I plug a patch cord from the earphone jack on my netbook into one input on an amp, while I can through the other amp input.

Sheet music is wonderful if it's available, but it seldom is.

Tabs are a poor substitute for music, and the majority of the tabs I have found are grossly different than the way I would play anything. It seems like no one who does tabs EVER plays an open string...which to me is just plain silly and intentionally difficult. (What do I know - I've only played on and off since 1964.)

[Dustin Teel]

Usually by ear, but I will pull up a tab or two to compare what I'm hearing with what someone else thinks is going on. Especially for a very technical song, like a Black Sabbath or Metallica bassline. I always try to find a youtube video of the band playing the song live.

[5StringBlues]

Ear

[SactoBass]

I have been playing bass for 39 years, and I have always played covers by ear (by listening carefully to the recording and learning to play it note for note).

I respectfully disagree with the comments posted above suggesting there are only about 15 to 20 different cover songs. I played in a YES tribute band for over five years, and I don't think Close to the Edge or And You and I or Siberian Khatru or South Side of the Sky or Roundabout or Long Distance Runaround or Starship Trooper or I've Seen All Good People or Yours Is No Disgrace are anything like other covers I have played.

I was also in a Led Zeppelin tribute band back in the 70's and I don't think Kashmir or Houses of the Holy or Celebration Day or Livin Lovin Maid or The Rover or The Immigrant Song or Thank You or What Is and What Will Never Be are anything like other covers I have played (although Rock and Roll is similar to general I-IV-V blues progression songs).

I have also played some Rush tunes in a band and I don't think Tom Sawyer or Red Barchetta or Limelight or The Trees or Spirit of Radio are similar to other covers I have played.

That's all "in my opinion" of course.

[VitalSigns]

Originally Posted by Mike M.

I figure out those songs like I always have; I first listen to them over and over to get them pounded into my head. Once I have them fairly memorized I will then grab my bass and start to figure it all out.

Works for me and always has.

I think this is why I was able to figure out a song like Holy diver by Dio. Because I've heard it my whole life and it's like drilled in my head.

[SMILEYSIXX]

The right tab can be a good foundation, but even if I find what appears to be a flawless tab, I still listen for most of it.

[VanillaThundah]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Tabs are a joke and just slightly better than useless, so I never use them.

I know of a lot of people who were self-taught on tabs (myself included). It's most effective when you are familiar with the song, and most accurate when it's a well known song (i.e. - you can find some good tabs on Badge by Cream).

YMMV, it's all about what works for you. But if you are familiar with the timing for the tune, tabs can be helpful if you need to learn the song quickly.

[Marginal Tom]

I apparently view covers quite differently than most of the members here. For both the bassline and the lyrics, I try to bring my own interpretation to each song. If the audience wants to hear the original version of the song, they can just play the julkebox.

I can understand always getting as close as possible to the original recording if you're in a tribute band, but not in a cover band.

[mr george]

tabs are a good tool imo when combined with the ear but not on their own.i use guitar pro which i have found to be very useful.once i get a rough handle of the song i then play along to the actual song to get it completely right or develop my own thing.it just fast tracks quick learning of songs and also has helped me with ear development and song structures.i rarely use it atm because i'm in blues bands and it's all feel..

[klokker]

Hate tabs, love to listen. That's it.