Ear Training

[Womber]

So here is my situation - I’m at a point where I can play most songs if I have the tab, even pretty complex phrases. My ear is trained enough where I can hear and reproduce the various articulations of the original artist BUT up until this point I usually need to have the tab to tell me what notes I am playing - I know, sad.

I have decided to make a concerted effort to learn as many songs by ear as I can. This morning I chose an easy one to transcribe - “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes - and actually had it down in just a few minutes. Next I’m thinking “A Girl Like You” by Edwin Collins and “I Heard It Through The Grape Vine” by CCR. Looking for other suggestions from my Talkbass friends on some easier songs to practice learning by ear. Any ideas are much appreciated!!

 

[bfields]

Sounds like you're on the right track! "Seven Nation Army" is great because it's simple and prominent and an earworm, so you can probably already sing it without thinking about it. "Heard it Though the Grape Vine" isn't as singable, I'll be interested to hear how that went.

You don't have to limit yourself to bass lines. I used to sound out nursery rhymes, for example.

Sometimes I'll listen to music while I'm at work during the day, and when I hear something that sounds like a good candidate for learning I'll jot down a note and come back to it at practice time.

 

[Womber]

Nursery rhymes are a good idea. A few years ago I was practicing and decided to figure out “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Also figured out “When the Saints Go Marching In.” They both took me a long time to figure out. Things are going a little faster now.

I’ve been told that the only way to do this is just to do it and that it gets easier as time goes by.

As an aside, I decided to learn “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by CCR instead of “I Heard it through the Grape Vine.”Have the intro and first verse about 80 percent.

Thanks for the ideas, bfields!!

 

[WrapRough]

I'm going through this at the moment, too. I've promised myself no more tab. Either i read the sheet or I learn by ear or I dont get to play the song. Kinda sucks tbh, but...

I am finding that more modern songs are easier as the bass is really easy to hear. Some songs i've been trying with:

The Bottle - Paul Weller
Golden Touch - Razorlight
Bullet in the Head - RATM
Emergency on Planet Earth - Jamiroqui
Wrathchild - Iron Maiden
Fly Away - Lenny Kravitz
Rio - Duran Duran
Just a Girl - No Doubt
Sunday Morning - No Doubt
Helicopter - Bloc Party
Banquet - Bloc Party
Jacqueline - Franz Ferdinand
Take me Out - Franz Ferdinand

Those have been not too challenging so far!

Good luck!

 

[JRA]

just to do it.... it gets easier as time goes by.

also: while you're in this 'stage of development', consider WrapRough 's method/commitment of incorporating manuscript/sheet music --- you'll learn a new skill now that will help you (limitlessly) later on. best of luck with your ear training!