How to memorize songs

[Mikel9478]

Thanks to all ! you've all been a huge help.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Should mention. The songs your learning should be all you listen to. Even when your not playing Bass.

 

[Tonecaster]

Should mention. The songs your learning should be all you listen to. Even when your not playing Bass.

I have around 80 songs to learn for three different band that I'm working with. I have each of their tunes on a separate Spotify playlist. Gym, driving, shower, whatever, always on. I also use Moises to break out the bass tracks and listen to them, with the bass and vocals solo'd.

 

[SteveCS]

But like everyone above has stated = it's all about repetition over & over & over 'til you feel confident in all aspects.

It is also important to ensure that only the right thing is repeated. In that regard it is essential to separate the dictation* from the memorisation. There is no point trying to memorise a part whilst you are still working it out. The point is that the taking, reviewing and correcting of dictation happens separately from and prior to learning and memorisation - that way you only learn and memorise the right things.

* Writing down what you are hearing in a way that captures sufficient information to play it back. Typically dictation will be in Standard Notation but in the case of simple cover songs anything written down based on listening might be considered a type of dictation.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Apparently, its important to only practice the song correctly, early as you can. Something about wiring your brain the right way. If you make mistakes correct immediately, I guess.

 

[SteveCS]

If you make mistakes correct immediately, I guess.

The point is to know what is correct (which might be whatever you choose it to be) BEFORE starting the learning process. So when you are working the part out don't try to commit to memory at the same time. Write it out (using whatever 'language' you are most fluent with*) and validate/edit/revise until you have a 'known good source' which then forms the foundation of practice/learning/memorisation. That way if you make mistakes in playing you don't have to go back to the beginning to reformulate in your mind what it should be - you just pick it up again from your notes, which are always right (or at least as good as you made them first time around).

* Standard Notation, TAB, NNS 'Lead Sheet', Chord Chart or whatever.

 

[Tonecaster]

The point is to know what is correct (which might be whatever you choose it to be) BEFORE starting the learning process. So when you are working the part out don't try to commit to memory at the same time. Write it out (using whatever 'language' you are most fluent with*) and validate/edit/revise until you have a 'known good source' which then forms the foundation of practice/learning/memorisation. That way if you make mistakes in playing you don't have to go back to the beginning to reformulate in your mind what it should be - you just pick it up again from your notes, which are always right (or at least as good as you made them first time around).

* Standard Notation, TAB, NNS 'Lead Sheet', Chord Chart or whatever.

Well said Steve!

 

[LBS-bass]

It is also important to ensure that only the right thing is repeated. In that regard it is essential to separate the dictation* from the memorisation. There is no point trying to memorise a part whilst you are still working it out. The point is that the taking, reviewing and correcting of dictation happens separately from and prior to learning and memorisation - that way you only learn and memorise the right things.

* Writing down what you are hearing in a way that captures sufficient information to play it back. Typically dictation will be in Standard Notation but in the case of simple cover songs anything written down based on listening might be considered a type of dictation.

This is a pretty important part of it, assuming your goal is to reproduce exactly what you hear. At the very least, you should have a good record of the important things that you want to reproduce before you get around to learning and practice.