How to go about learning Prog lines.

ToadWarrior · #1 03-14-2013, 02:21 PM

So yeah I love prog, I love the busy basslines and the general "torrent of instruments" type of sound.

But I'm having severe difficulties..

For example, the first verse section of "In The Cage" by Genesis is throwing me for a particular loop right now (I haven't even got to the rapid fire 16ths at the end of the song.)

Even just the different variations between the A# and F#are throwing me off..

How do players like Chris Squire and Mike Rutherford memorize these lines to the point where they can play them the same every time?

fearceol · #2 03-14-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToadWarrior

How do players like Chris Squire and Mike Rutherford memorize these lines to the point where they can play them the same every time?

It's a secret technique known only to them. I heard someone call it....."practice"....and lots of it.

Dont mean to be flippant, but I cant think of any other method.

jgroh · #3 03-14-2013, 04:23 PM

Well, they are the ones that wrote the lines so you tend to remember them. And, fear is right, practice is the key. There are no shortcuts. Just have to put in the time.

Smart guy · #4 03-14-2013, 09:56 PM

I say, practice that song until YOU can play it some what effortlessly.
You will have learned so much that will enable you to knock these types of lines, effortlessly. Your own way of course.

seanm · #5 03-14-2013, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToadWarrior

How do players like Chris Squire and Mike Rutherford memorize these lines to the point where they can play them the same every time?

Simple answer: I doubt they are playing it the same way every time. Remember they wrote the songs. They are probably going for a feel more than the actual individual notes.

Instead of thinking: this note, now this note, now this note. They are thinking: this chord, this chord, nice little run here, signature riff here. The only part they memorize is the signature riff. Because it is them, they will basically play it close to the same way every time.

Does that make sense?

**garmenteros** · #6 03-14-2013, 10:33 PM

Practice Practice. I used to breakdown songs by parts and focus on dominating sections first.