How do you memorize Songs?

[foal30]

I don't set out to memorize off the bat.

If I know the melody of a song, I play by ear.
If I don't know the melody, I write down enough (key signature, lyrics, chords, reminders, notes to myself like "medium swing," "repeat", etc.) so that I can play it from a sheet of paper.

In either case, after enough repetition, I don't need the paper.

Yes melody and lyrics can certainly be effective triggers

 

[BlueRock]

To learn a song well enough to effortlessly play it with anybody in any key I start by learning the lyrics and melody. If I've got that solid I can play a good bass part to support it. Then I grab a bass and get the chords and a bass line under my fingers while learning to sing the bass part too. If I can't sing it I don't really own it.

If I'm pressed for time I'll do a numbers chart with some of the more important rhythmic figures notated. If I'm super rushed and/or don't care about actually learning the song I'll transcribe the bass part in standard notation and just read it. I used to do that more but with music not being a make or break part of my income these days that's pretty rare. I dislike it because I won't remember the song if I can just read it.

 

[BassmanI]

For me, the most important things in terms of learning a song from memory are:
Ear Training
Ear Training
oh, and
Ear Training
Having the ability, and with such a photographic memory as I have, to literally pick apart songs and extract the bassline out of it is so vital for me. For example, as a Praise and Worship Bassist (as well as other genres) I listen to the Paul Baloche tune "Glorious" in general, then go over it and separate the bass from the rest of the song, in my mind and ear. This is how I can learn the actual bassline. Hope this helps.

 

[Groove Doctor]

a lot of people say transcription but that is a sure fire way for me to NEVER remember the song and rely on charts. i need the song in my head so i can sing it. once i have it in my head its there.

1. Transcribing is (arguably) the most accurate way to learn to play the song correctly.

2. Repetition, esp learning to play from memory with no chart, is the way to memorise that song.

You simply need to apply step 2 and wean yourself off step 1 for this to work.

 

[Koshchei]

Strongly agree

I firmly believe writing/transcription is “Deep Practice”.

And the more learning "channels" and modalities that you integrate into your learning process, the easier recall will be later on the bandstand.

 

[SLO Surfer]

That's interesting you've found that taking the time to write it down is a net time saver in the long run. I always don't want to "waste" time writing it down, I spend all my time on the playing and memorization. It never occurred to me that writing it down saves time spent on memorization, but it makes sense now that you say it.

yeah I kind of learned it by mistake. I joined a band and had to learn 20+ originals in a short amount of time. I figured I couldn’t memorize them all by the first show so decided to transcribe and write down all my own bass charts. Turned out writing them down helped me memorize everything way quicker.

 

[mysterial]

Simple questions are often not easily answered.
This to me is one of those.
I would like to understand the ways that more experienced bass players do this.
When I played Saxophone/clarinet in a big band situation we always had a chart in front of us. As a result I can read treble clef very well and I am working on bringing bass clef to the same level.

As much as being able to read is a huge asset it can have some draw backs.
So this is why I am asking…. How do you memorize your parts?

Personally, I listen to the song on a loop until I can immediately recall which song section comes next (verse/chorus/bridge, etc.)
While I'm doing something like working on my basses I have it in the background and eventually, I can subconsciously recall the entire song.

 

[chris_b]

Depends on the genre. There are similarities in many songs, 12 bars, 16 bars, Pachelbel's Canon, etc. If you know one you'll know a lot of the others. Then all you have to do is remember the differences.

I listen to the song, write a chord chart and play the song until I know it. Some songs take their time others are quick.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I don't read music. I have to learn an average of 2-4 new songs every week and be able to play them perfectly without rehearsal. I often have to learn an entire set with very little notice, sometimes with very difficult material.

What I've learned to do, and its something that gets much easier over time.

• Put everything I need to learn on a USB (used to be a CD) and play ONLY that in my car until the gig.
• Sit down with the songs as soon as possible and start working things out. At least know the keys and start working immediately on the more intricate parts.
• Practice the songs IN MY HEAD, while driving (or elsewhere without a bass), and correct any spots where I blank out when I get home. I've learned that visualizing my fingers on the neck without a bass is just as good as (sometimes even better) than running the songs while actually playing.
• Practice learning songs from listening to them, before ever even picking up the bass. I failed miserably when I first started doing that, but got much better over time. My ears started to much more accurately recognize intervals, and it became lots easier to play songs just knowing in my head what the bass was doing.

 

[jnuts1]

1. Transcribing is (arguably) the most accurate way to learn to play the song correctly.

2. Repetition, esp learning to play from memory with no chart, is the way to memorise that song.

You simply need to apply step 2 and wean yourself off step 1 for this to work.

i am transcribing. just in my head. there is sheet music and charts up there

 

[chadhargis]

I typically make a number chart, make some crib notes, and practice the song until I know it.

 

[chris_b]

Playing from memory is a skill that can be learnt. Then you never stop adding to your repertoire.

 

[devnulljp]

More importantly, how do you memorize and retain it?

 

[CaribooBass]

That is a good question. Any one feel they can answer it?

 

[Tom Bomb]

Reviewing. Revisiting. Refreshing. Re-familiarization.​

 

[SteveCS]

More importantly, how do you memorize and retain it?

That is a good question. Any one feel they can answer it?

The answer has already been given - write it down.

 

[devnulljp]

he answer has already been given - write it down.

I do that, and I've transcribed long pieces. But still, don't play it for a month and it's pretty much gone.

 

[Tom Bomb]

It's not unusual … I've forgotten the 'rest.'​

 

[Malcolm35]

I can read SN, but not fast enough to play from SN. Because of my rhythm guitar days, I think in numbers as well as chord names. So, chord charts, Nashville numbers, and an understanding of what chord tones will be needed for the upcoming chord do it for me.

For keyboard I transpose everything to Nashville numbers and stay in one key, as best I can.

That was a process that took 25 plus years and built upon itself a little each year. That journey is what I love about music. Got something to keep me busy for the rest of my days.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Chart out how many sections or changes there are.
Listen to and flesh out each section.
Put them all together beginning to end.
Practice.Practice.Practice.Practice.