How do you memorize a new song?

[Shenron]

As our first rehearsal approaches, I find myself preparing a small bunch of songs. None of them is particularly challenging from a technical point of view, but this will be my first time ever playing the bass with other people, so I am mostly worried about how will I manage to keep up with the groove and how to setup my instrument's sound properly.

But something that is getting in the way of my primary concerns is the fact that I don't yet remember the songs note-by-note without looking at some sort of transcription, so I have prepared printouts and handwritten notes to help me visually remember grooves, song structures, variations and such. This is what I always did when I used to play the guitar, until the time when the song has been rehearsed enough so that I don't need visual aids anymore. Reading a full transcription at rehearsals is unwieldy, therefore I make my own notes with "clues", with the target of fitting everything I need for a song in a single page. It's not a perfect system... for instance this time I am really struggling on how to capture on paper all the small variations for "Are you gonna go my way" without transcribing the whole thing.

What is your method for memorizing a song faster than just keep playing it all the time?

 

[hrodbert696]

OTHER than keep playing it all the time? Repetition is often the key to memory.

Typically, if it needs more than a playalong, I'll note the chord progression and the structure. Then if there are any signature bass riffs in it, go over those. Often the act of writing it down (and listening through slowly while writing) will itself help lock the song in my memory, but I'll play with the notes in front of me as needed till I know my way through it.

 

[Lobster11]

IME, there simply is no substitute for listening to the song enough times that I can hear it in my head without the recording. Once it's etched into my brain I can usually come up with a bass line that's "close enough" if I can't remember the exact notes -- which in many/most bands is close enough.

 

[SteveCS]

What is your method for memorizing a song faster than just keep playing it all the time?

My usual method is to write stuff down - I've mentioned it a few times already:

https://www.talkbass.com/search/38053337/?q=**&t=post&o=date&c[user][0]=270182&c[thread]=1605349
https://www.talkbass.com/search/38053345/?q=**&t=post&o=date&c[user][0]=270182&c[thread]=1583498

But you say you already do this, so I have no more to add.

 

[MrLenny1]

I write out a chart, helps to memorize.
Play & repeat Play & repeat etc...
Listen & listen & listen.

 

[brianrost]

Depends on the song. If it’s unusual enough to my ears I might transcribe it for reference. I might transcribe only the tricky parts. I might just mark down the arrangement (chord chart). Otherwise I play along with the recording and then play it without the recording.

If you have trouble remembering it, sing the line as you listen to the recording. Then sing the line while you play it. With complicated sections where I’m having trouble nailing it, I’ll do this on gigs until the song becomes second nature.

I never use charts or cheat sheets at gigs (unless it’s a rare reading gig). I sometimes bring them to a rehearsal to compare with what everybody else is hearing.

 

[Mastermold]

No substitute for hard work and memorization. Takes more time perhaps than you want to give the project but it is what it is.

 

[eniac]

First thing I do, before even trying to play the song, is chart the bass part with the number system. I use headphones during the process so I catch every detail. Once the chart's done, I keep playing the song over and over, along with the recording, focusing on the chart for each run-through. That burns the song *and* the chart into my memory. Also, I demote any+all other activities, short of the necessary ones, and give practice top priority. No TB, no social media, no texting/WhatsApp/Telegram, no gaming, no hobbies, no nothing. As for the phone, I don't just set it to silent; I power it down and put it in another room. If I'm driving somewhere, the songs I have to learn are playing in a loop.

Yeah, it's brutal and people might think you're a bit 'round the bend. But it yields results.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

For me, I'll do blocks of 15 - 30 mins, several times a day, of listening, practicing and playing along with.

I'll play the song several times.
Take notes on verses, chorus, bridge, chord changes, starting key....
Then I'll play with the song, keeping it simple. Each time I play to the song, I'll add more bits and necessary intricacies till finally I have it down to as close as perfect as I can get it.

I have an audition for a ska band in 2 weeks. Never played ska at all. Never heard half the songs id been given on the set list. Using the method as described above on the 16 songs theyre auditioning, 14 of these songs are spot on. 2 require just a little bit more attention to tighten then up.

Be patient and immerse yourself in the music.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I always download the songs I play in iTunes and save them on my tablet.
Then I listen to it several times, next step is to look at the bass tabs while listening and then play the song simultaneously with the iTunes on my tablet.
Sometimes it takes me 3 shots to get it, other times, it takes me more than 30 trials !
Practicing several times is the only way to record it in my mind for me but I enjoy doing it anyway.

 

[DWBass]

Chart it, practice, practice and practice some more until it's ingrained in your brain.

 

[SteC]

Learn it and then listen to it on the train everyday and play along in your head. Like pay attention and try to remember like oh it goes to this chord here. Or like mime the notes you're gonna play. Just an extra layer to help memorize the song on top of instrument-in-hand practice.

 

[Tonecaster]

OK, here's my method...

First I listen to the song several times through and write out the form (Intro - V1 - PC - CH1, etc.
Then I transcribe the song. I use the Nashville Number System. It's what I learned to use as a studio musician and helps when the singer needs to change the key. I also write out any "signature" lines. Those lines, without which, the song just wouldn't be that song. I usually write them in notation, but sometimes as referenced to the intervals from the chordal key.
The mere act of transcribing the song will go a long way toward "baking" it into your brain and fingers.
Lastly, I play the song over and over until muscle memory kicks in.
My two cents. Hope this helps!
All The Best,
Ed
​

 

[Five or Six]

How long have you had to work the songs out? Should be able to get 4 or 5 songs down in a week. (7 days). But, everyone learns different. Play what you need to "every day". Since you are new at this notes are going to be your friend. You won't get there if you don't put the time in. Pay attention to your drummer!

 

[SteC]

Also as others have mentioned, learn the general chord progression and structure of the song and don't worry about playing little fills or variations note for note.

 

[ebo]

My current band adds songs often, and fairly quickly, meaning one or two group practices, then go time. This used to stress the crap out of me. Partly I’m better at figuring out bass lines and recognizing typical transitions, and partly I’ve lightened up on myself. Perfect at the first gig isn’t the requirement anymore. Concentrate on feeling the groove and supporting the song. The band you are in is not going to sound like the original recording unless you’re doing the tribute thing. Relax, feel it. And yea, practice the heck out of it on your own until it’s in your bones. No substitute for that.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I record myself from neck down, playing it and critique my playing and watch it(about 100) times in two to three weeks. You will be playing it in your sleep at that point, on the toilet, in the shower, walking around the neighborhood, totally immersive memorization etc. Possessed.

 

[LowendG]

therefore I make my own notes with "clues", with the target of fitting everything I need for a song in a single page.

This right here. Start there, and then whittle it down more and more to where you can put the entire set on one page with just a few notes/clues to trigger your memory. The sooner you can get to where you don't need the charts, the better. In fact, sometimes I'll have a tune completely memorized, and if I look at my chart while we're playing, it'll psych me out!
Other than that as you obviously discovered with guitar, just run through them a ton! Another thing I do, which I learned to do when I have like, a day or two to learn a whole set of new material, is I find just listening w/o the instrument in hand helps--driving in the car, etc. "Sing" the bass parts in your head as you listen, and they'll stick even more.

 

[KenD]

Break the song down into small chunks at natural divisions, such as intro, verse, chorus, any specific lines or hooks that are integral, etc. Practice and memorize each chuck separately until you can play it perfectly without aids. Then begin stringing the chunks together, one or two at a time.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

As our first rehearsal approaches, I find myself preparing a small bunch of songs. None of them is particularly challenging from a technical point of view, but this will be my first time ever playing the bass with other people, so I am mostly worried about how will I manage to keep up with the groove and how to setup my instrument's sound properly.

But something that is getting in the way of my primary concerns is the fact that I don't yet remember the songs note-by-note without looking at some sort of transcription, so I have prepared printouts and handwritten notes to help me visually remember grooves, song structures, variations and such. This is what I always did when I used to play the guitar, until the time when the song has been rehearsed enough so that I don't need visual aids anymore. Reading a full transcription at rehearsals is unwieldy, therefore I make my own notes with "clues", with the target of fitting everything I need for a song in a single page. It's not a perfect system... for instance this time I am really struggling on how to capture on paper all the small variations for "Are you gonna go my way" without transcribing the whole thing.

What is your method for memorizing a song faster than just keep playing it all the time?

If you're really trying to memorize (internalize) songs, your best bet is to do away with any charts/notes (and never EVER under any circumstances use tabulature). Play along with the track until you make a mistake, then go right back to the beginning- do not continue playing along if you've made a mistake. Every time you miss a note-- right back to the beginning. Do this continuously until you can play along with the song error-free. Then, play along with it a bunch more times. Give yourself at least 60-90 minutes per song. Good luck!