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How long does it take you to learn a difficult piece.
- Thread starter DuckSoup
- Start date
I'm playing for two years now. For perfect cover note by note i spend between 3 to 6 weeks, 45 mins 5 days a week. Usually i choose two songs, an easy song for fun and another which is higher than my level but not too much, it forces you and challenges you especially technically so if you still stay committed to play it note by note it makes you to work on your weakness points.
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everyone has a different routine for learning new songs...i listen to the song alot beforehand...then the first pass is just learning the roots and the arrangement...then another pass...and another...then i start working on the details...after i get 60 to 70% of the song down i don't sweat the rest until after i've had a chance to rehearse it with the band...after that , it seems easier when i get back to it at home...things come to the surface that i didn't hear before cuz i was focused on the root and arrangement...after that it usually comes together pretty quick...but how long varies from song to song...some songs are down in 20-30 minutes...others take weeks before i feel proficient enough to give it a thumbs up!
there's something about playing a new song with the band for the first time that transforms it in my mind and suddenly it's easier....
there's something about playing a new song with the band for the first time that transforms it in my mind and suddenly it's easier....
i made learning rushs yyz a goal of mine. a study piece. working on it off and on for just under a year. when i started to really get into the song i realized i just don't care for some of the bass parts. they feel forced or more like finger exercises than musical passages. i love geddys bass playing but gave up on yyz because once i started learning the parts i just didn't enjoy playing the song.
That pretty much says it all, but...
We live in an age where you can download a song, drop it in an app, slow it down, loop sections, etc. Length of time will depend on your experience level. I'll take a pop song on first pass but maybe a solo section or heavy gospel arrangement might take anywhere from 30mins to 2hrs depending on complexity (and my ears). Keep in mind if you don't have the technique needed for a specific song (i.e. Slap, Arco, Scale Patterns, etc) it will take longer. Maybe weeks. But thats OK, your playing the music you love and gaining technique in the mean time.
Dont fret it, you still get to eat the lollypop!
Same here. Whenever I feel like crying tears of frustration, I know I can count on Suite #1 in G major to come through for me.
Sometimes it takes me years to learn a difficult piece.
I am sure I am opening myself up for ridicule here, but anyway....
A difficult piece (to me) is usually synonymous with anything above 120 bpm. Since I have never really played in a band situation, it is harder for me to learn timing and tempo. Or maybe that's just an excuse.
As an example, I have been trying to learn "Profits of Doom" by Clutch for close to two years now. If you look at it, it is a 'simple' song (simple pattern); it's just that the tempo is too much for me to keep up with accurately (164bpm) while holding the groove, which is essential.
Another favorite of mine is "Got This Thing on the Move" by Grand Funk Railroad, which I have spent about equal time on, and am much, much closer to getting it perfect. To me this is an example of a more difficult song (more difficult pattern than my previous example anyway); but then again there are guys on here who will tell you they can learn a Dream Theater song in a few hours, so hey; what do I know.
We are all different. I might play a song 5 or 6 times in a row and get frustrated by my lack of progress and stop for the day, while others will lock themselves in the basement and not come out until they get it right or wear off their fingertips, leaving only bloody stumps behind.
I am sure I am opening myself up for ridicule here, but anyway....
A difficult piece (to me) is usually synonymous with anything above 120 bpm. Since I have never really played in a band situation, it is harder for me to learn timing and tempo. Or maybe that's just an excuse.
As an example, I have been trying to learn "Profits of Doom" by Clutch for close to two years now. If you look at it, it is a 'simple' song (simple pattern); it's just that the tempo is too much for me to keep up with accurately (164bpm) while holding the groove, which is essential.
Another favorite of mine is "Got This Thing on the Move" by Grand Funk Railroad, which I have spent about equal time on, and am much, much closer to getting it perfect. To me this is an example of a more difficult song (more difficult pattern than my previous example anyway); but then again there are guys on here who will tell you they can learn a Dream Theater song in a few hours, so hey; what do I know.
We are all different. I might play a song 5 or 6 times in a row and get frustrated by my lack of progress and stop for the day, while others will lock themselves in the basement and not come out until they get it right or wear off their fingertips, leaving only bloody stumps behind.
All the albums and you pick YOTBR?
It takes all kinds, I suppose. As long as you enjoy it, that's what matters.
One among the fence.
EDIT: Oh, and about 4 hours if it's complicated in terms of song structure. About 12 hours if it's complicated in that my hands don't keep up with the notes.
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i usually go at it until it's so late and i'm so exhausted that i am falling asleep while playing....
I can learn Dream Theater in a few months but polishing it can take a year in total and this is with the chart
I'm learning 'Uranus' by the descendents. Took me about 3 maybe 4 hours of practice to feel comfortable with the main riff in the bass part.
You know, if you rest it on your left knee it's much more ergonomic.
Thanks for the advice. Ergonomics weren't fantastic for this bass. The frets are very small.
Setting ambitious goals for yourself is great. Ant time spent on the instrument is going to be beneficial. Giving yourself a deadline might not be helpful if the endpoint is frustration.
FWIW...I studies classical guitar for about 6 years. I found a piece by Rodrigo that I decided I had to learn. Worked on it for about 3 years and never succeeded in completing the ~8 minute piece, but I learned lots of technique from that effort and enjoyed the time on it. Have fun!
FWIW...I studies classical guitar for about 6 years. I found a piece by Rodrigo that I decided I had to learn. Worked on it for about 3 years and never succeeded in completing the ~8 minute piece, but I learned lots of technique from that effort and enjoyed the time on it. Have fun!
I still cannot play “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” in its entirety without damaging my plucking hand!
