How do you learn new songs fast?

BassmanDk · #1 07-05-2007, 04:26 PM

Hi
Allthough i've played for many years I sometimes have troubles learning new songs fast.
For instance: This weekend i have a job subbing in another band. I never played with them before. And i got a rep. list yesterday. Out of say 40 song i've played 'round 25. Of the rest i've heard 10 and 5 of them i've never heard of.
In order to learn them what would you do?
I went online, found some tabs( always of bad quality if they can be found), heard some songs on Youtube.
But that's not enough.
If i have to buy the cd's it would be too expensive. And i stopped using Kazaa (viruses and not legal). I could buy the songs individually online.
What can i do to learn them other than that?
What do you do?

SirCanealot · #2 07-05-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanDk

Hi

If i have to buy the cd's it would be too expensive. And i stopped using Kazaa (viruses and not legal). I could buy the songs individually online.

Bittorent. I'm not saying anything else other than that. But look it up. You can't be expected to buy all those songs, to be honest, not if you're just looking to cover them quickly. Spend that CD cash on your fav bands and the ones you want to support

gottawalk · #3 07-05-2007, 06:05 PM

I've been iTune-ing the stuff that I need; you might want to at least get the 5 you've never heard before from somewhere. Other than that, maybe someone in the band has the stuff on disc. Then just listen the hell out of them and make some notes on what key they're in, style, maybe a quick "here's the bassline"-lick written down so you can remember the line needed in the song, and then the form.

What style is it?

Good luck; wouldn't want to be in your shoes without some chord charts!

Chunk-O-Funk · #4 07-05-2007, 06:09 PM

As far as getting the songs you could have ask the band for a tape/CD. I think it would be quickest and cheaper to buy them online.

Also, make some cheat sheets, or charts to help you remember. That way you wont have to commit a lot of time trying to memorize every tune. Worked for me once. I had joined a band and they already had gigs booked, so I took a music stand and my ghetto charts.

In a pinch, or if you run out of tunes. Ask them if they know some of the standard tunes you know, but aren't on their list.

BassmanDk · #5 07-06-2007, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirCanealot

You can't be expected to buy all those songs, to be honest, not if you're just looking to cover them quickly. Spend that CD cash on your fav bands and the ones you want to support

Exactly what i mean. But i still need to hear them. And getting a cd or other medium isn't an option coz we don't see eachother before the gig and not enough time to make a cd and send it. In my regular band we always made cd's.
The style is oldtime rock/funk/soul. I know i should know everything with Jackson 5 and Kool and the gang but then again...
Buying them on itunes or another site is maybe an option but still hate to spend money on music that i can't hold in my hand and lookat the coverart. I know i'm a snob

Deacon_Blues · #6 07-06-2007, 03:46 AM

I used to transcribe the songs. I wrote down the chords to them, preferably with a guitar instead of a bass, and learned them that way. When ready, I mostly knew the songs so well already I didn't really need to use that piece of paper anymore. And as I got better on transcribing, the process got faster and faster.

Transcribing develops your ear. I can now play along to most pop/rock songs the first time I hear them (not perfectly or exactly like the original, but decently anyhow). Playing along to songs over and over is also a good way to learn them.

Sir Edward V · #7 07-06-2007, 05:00 AM

Magic.

BassmanDk · #8 07-06-2007, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon_Blues

I used to transcribe the songs. I wrote down the chords to them, preferably with a guitar instead of a bass, and learned them that way. When ready, I mostly knew the songs so well already I didn't really need to use that piece of paper anymore. And as I got better on transcribing, the process got faster and faster.

Transcribing develops your ear. I can now play along to most pop/rock songs the first time I hear them (not perfectly or exactly like the original, but decently anyhow). Playing along to songs over and over is also a good way to learn them.

The main problem is that i don't have the songs to transcribe!

dancehallclasher · #9 07-06-2007, 07:14 AM

I don't think it's very professional of a band to expect you to learn them that fast without providing a CD.

Dragonlord · #10 07-06-2007, 07:33 AM

Doesn't anyone from the band have an msn or yahoo or aol messenger account? He could make them mp3 and send them to you from there. Or, even easier - email.

louieeadg · #11 07-06-2007, 08:33 AM

Don't get tabs...those same sites have guitar chords. I can transcribe but it takes me a while, just started doing it. But when I need to know something fast, I look up the guitar chords then listen to the drummer. Tabs are doo doo...plus, when you do that you learn while you're learning. You start seeing more of the patterns professionals use. And the song will make sense musically. Tabs are just regurgitating some numbers...music is in letters.