How do I continue learning a song?

[SocknessMonster]

Hi, I know this seems like a bit of an obvious question, but I've been having issues with trying to pick and fully learn a song in a while, I personally feel like I'm forming a bad habit whether it's from lack of focus, comfort, or lack of discipline. Have any of you ever had an issue like this and managed to pop out of the loop? Thank you.

 

[Spidey2112]

1. Lack of focus? Better 6, or 7? 6... or... 7?

2. Comfort? Try a different position.

3. Lack of discipline? How can ye have any pudding, if ye won't eat yer meat?

You need something to aim for... a goal. With the resources available today, there's no excuse not to sit down, taking the time to, in your words, fully learn... whatever.

Are you in a band? Do you jam with anyone?

 

[Father Gino]

Use the force Luke!

 

[SteveCS]

Have any of you ever had an issue like this and managed to pop out of the loop?

IME, the prospect of a future performance usually does the trick. Another thing you could try is starting at the end and working backwards...

 

[Jay Corwin]

Hi, I know this seems like a bit of an obvious question, but I've been having issues with trying to pick and fully learn a song in a while, I personally feel like I'm forming a bad habit whether it's from lack of focus, comfort, or lack of discipline. Have any of you ever had an issue like this and managed to pop out of the loop? Thank you.

The only person that has full control over those three things is you.

 

[HardNHeavy]

pick a song you love from beginning to end.....and say to yourself...."i'm gonna learn this"....
Are you in a good spot to practice?...instrument feels comfortable, no distractions, headphones?....what's your setup, bass,...which song, what kind of picks lol etc...

 

[brianrost]

IME, the prospect of a future performance usually does the trick.

+1000000

I seldom bother to learn songs unless I've decided to transcribe it for learning purposes or it’s been added to a band’s master list.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

IME, the prospect of a future performance usually does the trick. Another thing you could try is starting at the end and working backwards...

as we say in theatre, no motivation to learn lines stronger than the imminent arrival of an audience

 

[Michedelic]

Hi, I know this seems like a bit of an obvious question, but I've been having issues with trying to pick and fully learn a song in a while, I personally feel like I'm forming a bad habit whether it's from lack of focus, comfort, or lack of discipline. Have any of you ever had an issue like this and managed to pop out of the loop? Thank you.

Realistically, break it down into its sections, and then create a road map in your mind. But before that, know and understand the various basic building blocks of the modern song…intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge(AKA “middle eight”*)and/or instrumental break, turnarounds, coda, and so on… then realize that there’s no uniform combination of these elements, it changes from song to song. Mentally, I liken it to driving around the block, over and over, with occasional stops at various places across the street, perhaps only once.

Generally, though(and it’s not a hard and fast rule, there are always exceptions), beyond the intro(if there is one), there’s a verse, maybe a pre-chorus or build-up, then the chorus(of course), repeat the cycle, but then…it’s kind of a psychological thing, but to keep it from being repetitious and boring, you take it elsewhere. To a bridge, a related but separate “aside” which serves as a momentary diversion from the V/C.

After that you might follow with an instrumental break, usually over the verse and/or chorus chords or maybe even the intro, sometimes the intro can serve as the bridge, then… maybe repeat the bridge, or else just go straight to a third verse(and chorus), or just the chorus, finish up, and you’re done. A coda is basically a separate “grand finale”, but you don’t hear that too often. On the other hand, there are some songs that are just V/C over and over that aren’t monotonous, but usually those are kept to three cycles.

Think of a tune in terms of a flow chart or maybe building blocks, and it won’t be so overwhelming. List some the songs you’re working on or are favorites, and I’ll try to break them down for you.

*middle eight is a quaint term referring to that section, separate from verse and chorus, that was usually only eight bars long in the old days, but a bridge can go as long(or short)as it aesthetically needs to be.

 

[Wasnex]

Hi, I know this seems like a bit of an obvious question

The question is fine, except you don't give us any idea what sort of problem you are having. Also, I suggest that you describe your current process for learning a song.

My process varies significantly depending on if I will be reading from sheet music or playing from memory.

 

[gln1955]

Realistically, break it down into its sections, and then create a road map in your mind. But before that, know and understand the various basic building blocks of the modern song…intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge(AKA “middle eight”*)and/or instrumental break, turnarounds, coda, and so on… then realize that there’s no uniform combination of these elements, it changes from song to song. Mentally, I liken it to driving around the block, over and over, with occasional stops at various places across the street, perhaps only once.

Generally, though(and it’s not a hard and fast rule, there are always exceptions), beyond the intro(if there is one), there’s a verse, maybe a pre-chorus or build-up, then the chorus(of course), repeat the cycle, but then…it’s kind of a psychological thing, but to keep it from being repetitious and boring, you take it elsewhere. To a bridge, a related but separate “aside” which serves as a momentary diversion from the V/C.

After that you might follow with an instrumental break, usually over the verse and or chorus chords or maybe even the intro, sometimes the intro can serve as the bridge, then… maybe repeat the bridge, or else just go straight to a third verse(and chorus), or just the chorus, finish up, and you’re done. A coda is basically a separate “grand finale”, but you don’t hear that too often. On the other hand, there are some songs that are just V/C over and over that aren’t monotonous, but usually those are kept to three cycles.

Think of a tune in terms of a flow chart or maybe building blocks, and it won’t be so overwhelming. List some the songs you’re working on or are favorites, and I’ll try to break them down for you.

*middle eight is a quaint term referring to that section, separate from verse and chorus, that was usually only eight bars long in the old days, but a bridge can go as long(or short)as it aesthetically needs to be.

This road map is good first step. Knowing the song form will keep you from getting lost if you play out without charts.

I'll assume you are taking about learning a recorded song without sheet music, tabs, etc. When I have the roadmap of the song, I look at the key and chord changes in each part. This will gives me clue about where the bass line is likely going. Then I listen to the line enough to be able to play a passable bass part in a play along. That can be enough to get through the song at a gig since we are not too picky about note for note renditions. Then I'll listen more and refine more until I feel I'm close enough for my needs.

As for motivation, you can be externally motivated by needing to learn a song for a gig or jam, or just be internally motivated for you own sense of accomplishment. The former is easier since no one wants to be that guy in a band who didn't do his homework (well, to be honest some people don't care but they are the tools no one wants to play with). For internal motivation you need to examine your own mindset. No one can really help much with that.

 

[Michedelic]

I'll assume you are taking about learning a recorded song without sheet music, tabs, etc.

Essentially, yes. I developed a good ear early on, using the time honored technique of moving the needle back as needed, then cassette tapes came along. And now, since so many songs will use the same old same old chord progressions from era to era, even if I hear something on a Muzak type system, I’m figuring it out in my head.

As I really didn’t have any real guitar training when I started, I first relied on patterns and note movement memorization, and saw how all these little sections got combined to make up a tune. I did have a few weeks of guitar at summer camp, but forming chords was way beyond me. However, I ironically could figure out single note riffs, then root note progressions, which prepped me for eventual bass duties.

I did finally tackle guitar properly a few years later, utilizing Led Zep I and Cat Stevens songbooks(!), with the chord formations on top of the staff, and eventually understood chord progressions and song structure a little deeper and got around to managing the writing out of chord charts over bar diagrams for myself(and others). That way I learned about sneaky little things that might trip you up such as six bar phrases(instead of four)and the like.

 

[SocknessMonster]

1. Lack of focus? Better 6, or 7? 6... or... 7?

2. Comfort? Try a different position.

3. Lack of discipline? How can ye have any pudding, if ye won't eat yer meat?

You need something to aim for... a goal. With the resources available today, there's no excuse not to sit down, taking the time to, in your words, fully learn... whatever.

Are you in a band? Do you jam with anyone?

Thanks for the blunt truth, I need it, but could you please elaborate on what you mean by better 6 or 7 means? I apologize for the confusion

I am not in a band currently, I'd like to be but I personally don't know how to start one up, or where to talk to, as well as the commitment since I'm in a career program.

 

[SocknessMonster]

The question is fine, except you don't give us any idea what sort of problem you are having. Also, I suggest that you describe your current process for learning a song.

My process varies significantly depending on if I will be reading from sheet music or playing from memory.

Hi, apologies for my lack of elaboration. I feel like my problem is me not sticking to a song. I can learn alright, but not play a new song on the spot while following the tabs (which is also another problem of mine I believe)

usually I go onto a tabs website, pick a tune I like and play through it normally once or twice, if I have any issues I keep going back to a part that stumbles me and keep getting the muscle memory down

 

[bass12]

What do you mean by fully learn a song? Do mean just the bass line and the form, or do you mean the chords and/or melody as well?

 

[SocknessMonster]

Realistically, break it down into its sections, and then create a road map in your mind. But before that, know and understand the various basic building blocks of the modern song…intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge(AKA “middle eight”*)and/or instrumental break, turnarounds, coda, and so on… then realize that there’s no uniform combination of these elements, it changes from song to song. Mentally, I liken it to driving around the block, over and over, with occasional stops at various places across the street, perhaps only once.

Generally, though(and it’s not a hard and fast rule, there are always exceptions), beyond the intro(if there is one), there’s a verse, maybe a pre-chorus or build-up, then the chorus(of course), repeat the cycle, but then…it’s kind of a psychological thing, but to keep it from being repetitious and boring, you take it elsewhere. To a bridge, a related but separate “aside” which serves as a momentary diversion from the V/C.

After that you might follow with an instrumental break, usually over the verse and/or chorus chords or maybe even the intro, sometimes the intro can serve as the bridge, then… maybe repeat the bridge, or else just go straight to a third verse(and chorus), or just the chorus, finish up, and you’re done. A coda is basically a separate “grand finale”, but you don’t hear that too often. On the other hand, there are some songs that are just V/C over and over that aren’t monotonous, but usually those are kept to three cycles.

Think of a tune in terms of a flow chart or maybe building blocks, and it won’t be so overwhelming. List some the songs you’re working on or are favorites, and I’ll try to break them down for you.

*middle eight is a quaint term referring to that section, separate from verse and chorus, that was usually only eight bars long in the old days, but a bridge can go as long(or short)as it aesthetically needs to be.

Thank you for the advice! Do you know any good channels that could explain these terms? I think I know what some blocks are like the chorus for instance, but I would like to be extra certain in knowing 100%

 

[Nebadon2000]

as well as the commitment

There is your answer

 

[SocknessMonster]

What do you mean by fully learn a song? Do mean just the bass line and the form, or do you mean the chords and/or melody as well?

I'd like to learn all that you've listed

 

[Michedelic]

Thank you for the advice! Do you know any good channels that could explain these terms? I think I know what some blocks are like the chorus for instance, but I would like to be extra certain in knowing 100%

Well, as I suggested, list some songs that mean something to you, and I’ll try to dissect them as if I was learning them myself. I could pull out some Captain Obvious examples, like Beatles, Elvis, or Great American Songbook stuff if you like, and you’ll see/hear similarities and differences/variations.

 

[SocknessMonster]

Well, as I suggested, list some songs that mean something to you, and I’ll try to dissect them as if I was learning them myself. I could pull out some Captain Obvious examples, like Beatles, Elvis, or Great American Songbook stuff if you like, and you’ll see/hear similarities and differences/variations.

Oops my bad I'll list out 5

Creeping Death (Metallica, learned)
You Can't Bring Me Down (Suicidal Tendencies)
The Trooper (Iron Maiden)
Souls of Black (Testament)
Use My Third Arm (Pantera)