Funniest way to learn a song...

bluesy_92 · #1 07-08-2010, 11:21 AM

Haven't been here in a while, but I just had to post this.

I am capable of learning by ear, but it's obviously easier if you can hear the bassline.

I was trying to play along to Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spiri", it's an easy bassline, but I haven't learned it yet, so I figured I would give it a go.

Out of boredom, after listening to the song once, I went to Weird Al's parody, Smells Like Nirvana.

I knew the bassline immediately.

Weird Al had a more prounounced version of the bassline, so it was easier.

I'm not even joking. Weird Al did a better version of the song than Nirvana. And that's How I learned the Nirvana original. From the f*cking Weird Al parody. I'm not saying you couldn't hear the bass in the Nirvana song, it was there, but it would've taken longer than learning from Weird Al's parody, which put it "up front."

funk generator · #2 07-08-2010, 11:22 AM

Weird al is one of my musical heros

caeman · #3 07-08-2010, 12:00 PM

Weird Al is a genius. Thank about what he creates and puts his band through. They take songs from every genre and mock them, they change parts to other styles of play (often polka) and you can tell it is still the same song.

MatticusMania · #4 07-08-2010, 01:17 PM

Yup, I love alternative polka! He's done some decent original songs as well.

nutso42 · #5 07-09-2010, 04:38 PM

The most amazing part (IMO) is how each of his musicians are able to copy so many other people's styles PERFECTLY...... just blows me away.

pedroims · #6 07-09-2010, 05:50 PM

while making love, u know , you are pushing so hard while some bass line its in your head, suddenly you got it.

WayneS · #7 07-09-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caeman

Weird Al is a genius. Thank about what he creates and puts his band through. They take songs from every genre and mock them, they change parts to other styles of play (often polka) and you can tell it is still the same song.

He doesn't mock anybody. They're called parodies.

sarcastro83 · #8 07-09-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesy_92

Haven't been here in a while, but I just had to post this.

I am capable of learning by ear, but it's obviously easier if you can hear the bassline.

I was trying to play along to Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spiri", it's an easy bassline, but I haven't learned it yet, so I figured I would give it a go.

Out of boredom, after listening to the song once, I went to Weird Al's parody, Smells Like Nirvana.

I knew the bassline immediately.

Weird Al had a more prounounced version of the bassline, so it was easier.

I'm not even joking. Weird Al did a better version of the song than Nirvana. And that's How I learned the Nirvana original. From the f*cking Weird Al parody. I'm not saying you couldn't hear the bass in the Nirvana song, it was there, but it would've taken longer than learning from Weird Al's parody, which put it "up front."

I'll assume then that since you learned the Weird Al version, that you pick up a tuba and play a couple of notes on that during the guitar solo?

Also, Weird Al is excellent. Extremely gifted musician and extremely funny dude... his cameos on Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! are super funny.

michaelgilleran · #9 07-09-2010, 11:27 PM

I saw footage of a weird al concert once. It was all 13 year old pudgy kids any one of their parents in the audience

trayner1 · #10 07-09-2010, 11:32 PM

"Running With Scissors" is right up there with Kind of Blue, Dark Side of the Moon, and Giant Steps. His newer stuff is mostly crap, but his older songs, particularly "Amish Paradise" hold a special place in my heart and my fondest childhood memories.

BassRookie · #11 07-09-2010, 11:36 PM

I was a huge fan of his when I was a kid.

Did you see the previews for his new biopic?

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

riotorgun · #12 07-11-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesy_92

Haven't been here in a while, but I just had to post this.

I am capable of learning by ear, but it's obviously easier if you can hear the bassline.

I was trying to play along to Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spiri", it's an easy bassline, but I haven't learned it yet, so I figured I would give it a go.

Out of boredom, after listening to the song once, I went to Weird Al's parody, Smells Like Nirvana.

I knew the bassline immediately.

Weird Al had a more prounounced version of the bassline, so it was easier.

I'm not even joking. Weird Al did a better version of the song than Nirvana. And that's How I learned the Nirvana original. From the f*cking Weird Al parody. I'm not saying you couldn't hear the bass in the Nirvana song, it was there, but it would've taken longer than learning from Weird Al's parody, which put it "up front."

strangely enough thats how i learnt it aswell

LowendinFL · #13 07-11-2010, 02:55 PM

One of my favorite songs is called "good 'ol days" I think. I dont believe it was a parody, but a clever song indeed.

GregDunn · #14 07-12-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trayner1

"Running With Scissors" is right up there with Kind of Blue, Dark Side of the Moon, and Giant Steps. His newer stuff is mostly crap, but his older songs, particularly "Amish Paradise" hold a special place in my heart and my fondest childhood memories.

Hard to think of "Bad Hair Day" (1996) as one of Al's "older" albums when he released 8 prior CDs and only 3 since then - one of which was in fact "Running With Scissors" (1999).