Have a Cigar and learning songs in general

McStuff · #1 06-16-2009, 01:41 PM

I'm being recruited into a garage band that plays a lot of ACDC, but the guitarist says we'll also be playing Have a Cigar. I'm new to bass, and learning it is difficult. There isn't much repetition and I had to find a backing track to pick out the bass more easily. What are you guys' tips for learning new songs?

9mmMike · #2 06-16-2009, 01:43 PM

No help from here but where did you find a backing track? That sounds quite handy.

McStuff · #3 06-16-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9mmMike

No help from here but where did you find a backing track? That sounds quite handy.

I've found a couple:
http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/pl...ve_a_cigar.htm
http://www.gilmourish.com/wp-content...ckingtrack.mp3

9mmMike · #4 06-16-2009, 01:50 PM

Nifty. Thanks!

McStuff · #5 06-16-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9mmMike

Nifty. Thanks!

No problem

Rossman59 · #6 06-16-2009, 02:06 PM

www.guitarbackingtrack.com

This is a nice site. Thanks.

McStuff · #7 06-16-2009, 02:10 PM

So do you guys have any tips on learning new songs?

9mmMike · #8 06-16-2009, 02:24 PM

I normally use headphones to make it easier to pick out the subtle stuff. If I cannot figure it out, I surf for (gasp) tabs that might get me closer. Generally I find most free tabs to be pretty inaccurate but they are a decent start. I will play small sections of the song, maybe two measures, over and over and over until I get it and then try to connect them as I learn more.
If it is possible, I will buy a book of real honest-to-goodness sheet music. I have a good one with Clapton stuff, one with some Police stuff and another with a bunch-o-Motown. These will often have tabs underneath the standard notation. That is the best way IMHO but not all music is available in this flavor.

McStuff · #9 06-16-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9mmMike

I normally use headphones to make it easier to pick out the subtle stuff. If I cannot figure it out, I surf for (gasp) tabs that might get me closer. Generally I find most free tabs to be pretty inaccurate but they are a decent start. I will play small sections of the song, maybe two measures, over and over and over until I get it and then try to connect them as I learn more.
If it is possible, I will buy a book of real honest-to-goodness sheet music. I have a good one with Clapton stuff, one with some Police stuff and another with a bunch-o-Motown. These will often have tabs underneath the standard notation. That is the best way IMHO but not all music is available in this flavor.

I've been going off tabs so far. I might pick up a couple books since there are probably ACDC and Pink Floyd bass books.

McStuff · #10 06-16-2009, 02:40 PM

I think I'll pick up a Mel Bay beginning bass book because I obviously need some instruction. I've been using picks half the time because I seem to play faster/more coordinated.

Rossman59 · #11 06-16-2009, 02:47 PM

The Pink Floyd books are nice, I have a couple. That's a good way to go but make sure you have examples of the songs you're trying to learn, which you seem to have covered.

Between the books and the songs you should get the hang of it.

Good luck and let us know if this helps.

McStuff · #12 06-16-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossman59

The Pink Floyd books are nice, I have a couple. That's a good way to go but make sure you have examples of the songs you're trying to learn, which you seem to have covered.

Between the books and the songs you should get the hang of it.

Good luck and let us know if this helps.

I do actually have a couple Pink Floyd books, but it's too bad they're for guitar. I wonder if they make books that have guitar and bass.

NKBassman · #13 06-16-2009, 02:57 PM

Practice practice practice practice practice practice...... you get the idea.

I would say start by focusing on the chord changes and the structure of the song and less on rhythm. Once you can kinda-sorta play along to the song at that level, start focusing more on the rhythms, details, and individual runs and nuances and stuff.

DeluxeRed · #14 06-16-2009, 03:02 PM

I think it helps to really become familiar with the song. For some CR, that's pretty easy since we've all heard them over and over for 40 years, but when I have a brand spankin' new song to learn that I've never heard before, it goes on a short playlist and I listen to it over and over until I know every change and break. I like to say "if my wife's not sick of it, I haven't drilled it enough".

I use TABs or other transcriptions when I just can figure something out, usually due to muddy production (very prevalent in modern rock).

And look at the song overall and its progressions. If you can get the "feel" of the song, you can often groove to it and play a decent facsimile of the original without having to note-by-note it. Keep an ear/eye out for the parts of the song that are iconic and should be played obligatto, and where you can express yourself without losing the original feel.

Nothing helps more than practice, practice, practice...

Enjoy!

McStuff · #15 06-16-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKBassman

Practice practice practice practice practice practice...... you get the idea.

I would say start by focusing on the chord changes and the structure of the song and less on rhythm. Once you can kinda-sorta play along to the song at that level, start focusing more on the rhythms, details, and individual runs and nuances and stuff.

Am I supposed to recognize the chord changes by ear, or should I have a point of reference?

walknbluez · #16 06-16-2009, 03:18 PM

You could get a Korg Pandora which will allow you to plug in your Ipod or cd player and your bass and then using headphones, you can isolate the bass line section by section and loop it and play along with it and figure out the notes and bassline. It has been an invaluable tool for me.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...sor?sku=152176

walknbluez · #17 06-16-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McStuff

Am I supposed to recognize the chord changes by ear, or should I have a point of reference?

The tab can provide you with a point of reference, then use your ear.

BigOldHarry · #18 06-16-2009, 03:22 PM

re. "Have a Cigar" - it is instructive to know that the bassist for PF was not a great player - he was more of a singer/songwriter, so what you will hear that sounds like the whacky, funky bass is mostly guitar. The bass line in that song is pretty sparse - - were I in a band covering it, I'd be workign up my own part that sort of followed the guitar riff (which is pretty funky).

Jim Campbell · #19 06-16-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McStuff

I'm being recruited into a garage band that plays a lot of ACDC, but the guitarist says we'll also be playing Have a Cigar. I'm new to bass, and learning it is difficult. There isn't much repetition and I had to find a backing track to pick out the bass more easily. What are you guys' tips for learning new songs?

there is a transcription in a geetar rag,iirc a david gilmour cover issue.....its here somewhere under a pile of something

McStuff · #20 06-16-2009, 03:31 PM

Turns out my guitar book has Have a Cigar, but there aren't many chord changes. The first 12 measures are all Em. Main chords seem to be Em, C, and Dadd11 with a few other chords making brief appearances.