Learning classic rock songs

fttfbass · #1 01-17-2007, 02:56 AM

I'm sure this has been covered a million times before, but I don't have time to do a search. I don't have the internet at home, so when I do get on, I'm usually only able to be on for about 5 minutes.

I'd like to find a classic rock band to join sometime in the near future. I don't know how to play very many tunes. I have the skills to play the music, but I'm not sure what the best way to go about learning songs is. I don't want to spend time learning a bunch of songs that my future band doesn't play, and totally bomb at an audition because I don't know any songs on the set list that they play.

What's the best thing to do in this situation? I've always played in hardcore metal bands, and we write our own music. I want to be able to play the classic rock songs like they are played on the record.

JacoLesFlea · #2 01-17-2007, 03:09 AM

If you have a good ear and are not tone deaf and have the skills down to play bass. You should be able to listen to the song and pick it right up after a few times or mabey more.

oldrocker · #3 01-19-2007, 07:40 PM

I you want to be able to play classic rock, learn some 12 bar blues songs. A lot of classic rock is based on the I-IV-V.

arbarnhart · #4 01-19-2007, 08:39 PM

Lots of repeated chord roots as quarter notes, often with a one or two note walk toward the next chord, a lot of shuffles and as mentioned in another post, chords are very often I/IV/V variants. But there are lots of songs that have no formula.

Paulb7664 · #5 01-20-2007, 06:13 PM

Hi
I play in a classic rock band.
The best way to work them out is find 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.
It works every time.

Paul