Too many songs. Cheat sheets.

[Pbassred]

Currently I have to learn songs for 2 bands. I have a problem keeping track of structures etc. I don't sight read yet.

Iv'e forgotten heaps of songs over the years. It would be great to be able to remember covers I played 4/5 years ago. I would like to build up a libruary of songs.

I have thought about flash cards and excel spread sheets

What do you do?

[BassmanDk]

I had all my cheatsheets written on the back of my keyboardplayers bald head! What to do if he showers or leaves?

Seriously i just write down on a piece of paper and keep 'em in my gigbag. But in these modern times i'm thinking of having a laptop running with songstructures and chords in Words.
But haven't got around to it yet.
Subscibed!

[Liko]

It depends on your music reading skills. If you can read a lead chart, just write one of those up; if not, forget the melody and just write out the chords (with your bass note if it isn't the root) on top of the words. I don't think there's a real good way to chart out exactly what you play other than music notation, unless you're just pumping the root, but a chord chart will jump-start your memory.

[Bass Aficionado]

I go low tech. I have a running list on Word that i hand write in a note or two. It might be key, basic chord structure, numbered changes, arrows to indicate those tuned down. I have a copy in my master book and one in my gig bag. I can stay on top of a couple hundred tunes this way.

I also make sure that I work some of them into practice, as well. I'll usually pull up a dozen old tunes and maybe a couple new radio hits once a week and work through them.

[bigthemat]

my fakebooks works well for me.

[stflbn]

Alot of times if a song, or songs are giving me trouble remembering I'll just make some crib notes on our setlist. First note, and initial progression, then maybe a break in the song or such.


Usually just something simple like that will kickstart me enough that I remember.

[hublocker]

I write out chord charts on blank paper and have thme in a ring binder.

Sometimes I have jast a piece of paper with just one chord written out on it, others have the simple progression and more compex ones (I play with a singer songwriter who uses lots of chords) I have every bar written down.

They are original songs so I use whatever bass line I feel like at the time, usually roots and fifths wih the rhythm of the song until I know it well, then I walk the chords if that is what the song needs.

[Pbassred]

Maybe I should buy a load of filofax pages

[Questor]

Are you trying to learn the recorded bassline verbatim? Or are you free to stylize them as needed. If the latter is true learn the overall chord structure of the songs. Unless you're playing jazz (or a jazz infused set of songs, e.g. Steely Dan) most chords you'll play will be major, minor, 7th, and the occasional diminished. Knowing the chords in a song and what differentiates a major from a minor chord will assist you greatly in coming up with basslines.

[winstonthecat]

I have a binder with chord charts and tabs (depending on the complexity of the song). I use this for practice, mostly as a refresher for songs I don't play as often.

For gigs, I make notations (key, unique changes, etc) on the set list, so everything is on one sheet.

[EADG mx]

lyrics and chord names: win.



it works just fine for me. you can also add any additional performance notes, of course.

[gdthomas]

So far I have used the lyrics and chord names the most, helps out when the guitar player or singer forgets something...(myself included.)

[Deacon_Blues]

On all my cheat sheets: Form, key and lyrics (lyrics sometimes shortened to first words of every verse)

Sometimes: All chords or part of them, especially if the song has some complex progressions. This I do mainly for rehearsals, at least if I'm introducing a new song on the rehearsal. Once I know the song, I hardly look at the chords.

Writing down the chords to a song is an excellent way to learn the song.

[ras1983]

Gotta love chord charts.