How long does it take you to get a song down cold?

[Chad T]

Depends. The problem is remeber the songs changes, note the notes itself. I would never cover a song like this one note by note. It´s pointless. Nobody would know, and even the band plays differents many times.
Just got the chords and structure and notice if the songs have some passage that needs to be done note per note. A signature passage let´s say.
I would say that for a song like this about 1 to 2 hours. Didn´t picked the bass yet but I almost can say that there´s a low B string going there wich I didn´t curently have.

Updating:

Checked.

Done in 30 min. To me good enough to play in gigs.
BUT, must keep listening to it because I can forget it fast cause is a new song to me.
Write down the main chords on a paper helps a lot.
And practice more.

Yeah, definitely low D and C# notes in there.

 

[jaymelewis]

Probably 1-2 listens for the most part (depends on the difficulty of the song, but most rock/pop tunes I'd say 10 minutes or less). But I savagely worked on my ear training in college to develop that skill - I understand that it is not the norm. For those who are unsure of the benefits of music theory and ear training, this is why. It's become a irreplaceable skill for me to have at my disposal. Just my thoughts

 

[lz4005]

Thanks much and that hit the nail on the head. I tend to focus on a song from getting from point A (beginning) to point B (end) and can get bogged down in the details and candy along the way. I.e. missing the forest for all the trees. I need to work on just the chord changes and basic structure first, then and only then work on the icing of the cake (fills and so forth).

Your video shows you have more than enough physical playing ability. As you say, now's the time to start seeing the bigger picture. It's a big evolution for a player to go through, but a key step to becoming a better musician.

Think of it like going from repeating phrases and sentences from a "Learn French on tape" course to being able to have a conversation with someone.

Also, I am still very much a learning bass player and I respect that the person who wrote the part is likely a pro at the top of their game. Can I really improve on what they did? Well, at some point, maybe. But I don't feel confident enough to do that yet on every song.

Different doesn't have to be better. As long as it isn't worse.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I wouldn't know....I've only been playing for two years....

 

[Paul Corrosion]

Our guitarist suggested a cover of "Far From Any Road" by The Handsome Family. I sat down with it tonight; YouTube, headphones, acoustic bass. Quick look up of the chords and off we go. I had a couple of false starts where I was getting all he way through but not exactly, so then I just listened to the song a few times and then it was stop/repeat on the detail work. Another couple of listens and then I ran start to finish over and over till I was happy, which this time was three - and then another few times just for fun. All in all, that was a couple of hours.

He also suggested "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" by Chris Isaak, which took about ten minutes.

Oh, and just for fun, I learned "Love Plus One" by Haircut 100 at the weekend, which took about an hour to get to the following state (FB video).

 

[Resonance129]

Long story short, for me, it depends on the length and difficulty (technicality) of the song.

I've found that when doing covers for YT, I try to learn the song note for note (with some exceptions). Takes time and patience and repetition, but it sounds good to frame the song the way the original part is laid out.
When doing covers with my band, I just get a feel for the chord structure/changes and go for what I know, based on the little bit I know about my fretboard lol.
I honestly prefer to learn bass parts line for line, but I understand the importance of feeling it out, too.

 

[verstft]

I have a good slow down program and I use to learn songs note for note. It was a good intro to bass playing and technique for me. I find that I forget the songs much quicker this way. I now try to understand the basic chord progression and concepts behind the notes so I can incorporate it more into my vocabulary...and it's building my own "licks" in the process.

P.S. There is always that "one" note for me in most songs that I just can't nail, ie. that one triplet in "I want you back" etc..

 

[DWBass]

Song sounds eerily like Sugar by Maroon 5. Even vocally. Where's the lawsuit??

As for the song...it's pretty simple. My method is to write out the song form and chart each section. I am in agreement with Brad Johnson. Def less than an hour.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I'm not very good at finding the bass line by ear, the melody, no problem.

I'm more used to have a sheet with the exact notes to be played or a lead sheet like in jazz.

A music sheet complex like Dream Theater may take a while, like a week or two of 1h of practice.
Metallica or Red Hot Chili Peppers in a few minutes it will be done.

Jazz is a little more complex since I take the time to analyse what is going on harmonically to have something to fall back on if I don't know what to play during a solo. So I also work on my walking, I learn the melody and of course I work on the solo.

 

[Tony In Philly]

I couldn't really say for myself. It takes as long as it takes with me.

But I also don't think I've ever learned to play an entire song note for note to match the orginal recording. That's not something I've ever had to do. And I probably wouldn't be very happy about it if I ever did need to.

When I listen to live recordings by a band I'm trying to emulate, the bass part is often different from the original recording, so why should have to keep it note for note? I just need to interpret it and keep it moving in a live context. Also it depends on the artist and their style.

 

[40Hz]

When I listen to live recordings by a band I'm trying to emulate, the bass part is often different from the original recording, so why should have to keep it note for note? I just need to interpret it and keep it moving in a live context. Also it depends on the artist and their style.

Precisely!

I also have a tendency to "correct" a part if there's something in it I disagree with.

Have you ever listened to a bass line and thought: I really like what they did there. But at this part I would have played it differently?

Well…that's what I did.

 

[NoiseNinja]

I never really done much in covers, mainly playing originals.

But like with originals, I would say that it would highly depend on the individual song, mainly the level of complexity of said song's composition and bass lines.

 

[ZenG]

Years..

 

[Whousedtoplay]

When I listen to live recordings by a band I'm trying to emulate, the bass part is often different from the original recording, so why should have to keep it note for note? I just need to interpret it and keep it moving in a live context. Also it depends on the artist and their style.

Just a question.
If all musicians in the band decide to not "to keep it note for note" and just interpret some notes/chords, how would that song sound?
I'm not some "note-for-note-demanding-monster" but I'd like to see, more or less, some signs of arrangement even playing Live.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I'm more used to have a sheet with the exact notes to be played or a lead sheet like in jazz.

A sheet music is NOT music, is NOT Jazz.
Only a Musician can make it Music, Jazz.

 

[Paulabass]

I never 'learn' songs, I just play 'em. However, now that I'm house bassist at two jams, and since Gord Downey died, I get a ton of calls for Tragically Hip. I sat down with youtube yesterday ,and learned 10 or so of their really popular songs.
Pretty simple stuff, but Gord likes to put tiny changes in a song once, in an unsuspecting place. Ready for the 'Hip' onslaught next week.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I never 'learn' songs, I just play them...
Pretty simple stuff, but Gord likes to put tiny changes in a song once, in an unsuspecting place. Ready for the 'Hip' onslaught next week.

Just three things.
1. Jamming isn't equivalent to the prearranged performance.
2. Tiny variations = developing a bass line (as a second Melody) - Cool!
3. Throwing something new in "an unsuspecting place" while performing with the band - not always cool.

 

[Tony In Philly]

Just a question.
If all musicians in the band decide to not "to keep it note for note" and just interpret some notes/chords, how would that song sound?
I'm not some "note-for-note-demanding-monster" but I'd like to see, more or less, some signs of arrangement even playing Live.

Well - yes, of course. One knows they have crossed the line interpretation-wise if somebody comes up to the band afterwards and says "Man, you guys really butchered that tune!". Otherwise I think interpretations can be lots of fun if they are competent enough.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Well - yes, of course. One knows they have crossed the line interpretation-wise if somebody comes up to the band afterwards and says "Man, you guys really butchered that tune!". Otherwise I think interpretations can be lots of fun if they are competent enough.

I've checked your band's web-site. Cool!
Could you tell me more about your right hand technique from your Intro video, around 0:46?
Is it some "derivative" from Slap?

 

[Groove Doctor]

The first 1000 songs are the hardest to learn. After that you develop your own shortcuts.

I'll write down the chords and song structure by the end of the second listening. The rest is just repetition.

I'll learn note-for-note on songs that'll broaden me as a player.
eg. Blame It On The Boogie.