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Post subject: Best way to learn to play new songs?
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:31 am
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What's the best way to learn to play a song?

I've been using the method of playing it slowly and gradually speeding up as I am able to play without mistakes. Then occasionally I will try to play it at full speed regardless of mistakes, then slow back down and gradually speed up.


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:39 am
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Seems to me you have the hang of it. You said sometimes you play full speed and then slow down to correct mistakes, etc.

I know that works for me, especially with leads. Then again, when I was learning, we only had albums, and you pretty much had to get the speed right along with content. So it could be just a habit I picked up back in ancient times. :wink:


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:47 am
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For more complicated songs, I'll generally start out by dividing it into sections. I'll take those sections, start out slow, then bring it up to the regular speed.


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:15 am
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I use software called Transcribe that allows you to load up a song then slow it down without changing it's pitch.

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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:24 am
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The slow down programs are good. I use Amazing Slow Downer when needed to figure out something I just can't seem to get at normal speed.


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:29 am
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Its just like practicing scales. You start out slow but, keep at it and you'll gradually become faster.

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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:37 pm
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Oh you kids today...have it sooo easy...In my day...had to walk 10 miles to guitar lessons...in the snow...uphill both ways....

Seriously, when I see what's available today for guitarists learning new stuff, I'm amazed.

Back in my day, the best we had was music books, usually with titles like "100 Guitar Favorites," and the phonograph. The books had musical notation for the vocal melody and chord diagrams above the staff...that's it! No tab, no transcriptions. And the phonograph, pick up the needle and set it down somewhere close, wait, wait, here it comes...try to play the riff at regular speed, stop, pick up the needle, set it back down, whoops missed the spot, reset the needle, wait, wait, try the riff again...you get the picture.

I have a 17 year old son who plays guitar. He sits in front of the computer with the guitar in his lap, listening to the song on i-tunes, has the tab on the screen, and if he gets stuck, there's often a youtube tutorial someone has posted. After a couple of hours, its "Hey Dad, check out this new song I just learned." I'm learning as much new stuff from him now as he is from me.

Technology can be a wonderful tool, although it is not a replacement for hard work and practice (are you listening, son?).


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:44 pm
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A metronome can help you as well.


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:53 pm
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Strato:

I'm part of the bi-focals generation too. It truly is amazing how good the learning tools are now. My learning tool is a Boss micro recorder that you can load MP3s into and play them at reduced (or increased) speeds. And that's only one feature. It's got amp models built it. It's a 4-track recorder. It's an MP3/WAV recorder. I got it to help me with my timing and help me learn songs. It's a good tool. Logically it's the same as the phonograph trick you described, but way more convenient. I'm kind of like your son in that I'll pick up the notes quickly (but then I spend the next six weeks getting the notes just right.)


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:16 pm
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I listen to the structure of the different parts of the tune and try to hear how they run together and I'll hear little clues as to what scales or areas of the neck that the notes are being played at.

Once I have a general idea of the pattern, I find it pretty easy enough to play along using improvisation until I happen to hit the *exact* notes that I'm hearing in the tune.

Sometimes, I've used a free software program called Audacity, which allows you to slow down the tempo without changing the pitch of a song.

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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:19 pm
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Starting slow and speeding up is a good plan, but remember that it is important to vary the speed that you practice at. Back in high school, the band director used to say that if you can't play it slow, you can't play it.


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:26 pm
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Miami Mike wrote:
I listen to the structure of the different parts of the tune and try to hear how they run together and I'll hear little clues as to what scales or areas of the neck that the notes are being played at.

Once I have a general idea of the pattern, I find it pretty easy enough to play along using improvisation until I happen to hit the *exact* notes that I'm hearing in the tune.

Sometimes, I've used a free software program called Audacity, which allows you to slow down the tempo without changing the pitch of a song.


Hmmm, I didn't know you could do that with Audacity.

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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:16 pm
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Warpfield wrote:
Miami Mike wrote:
I listen to the structure of the different parts of the tune and try to hear how they run together and I'll hear little clues as to what scales or areas of the neck that the notes are being played at.

Once I have a general idea of the pattern, I find it pretty easy enough to play along using improvisation until I happen to hit the *exact* notes that I'm hearing in the tune.

Sometimes, I've used a free software program called Audacity, which allows you to slow down the tempo without changing the pitch of a song.


Hmmm, I didn't know you could do that with Audacity.


sure you can i do all the time when learning new songs by ear, i just slow down the parts i need to work on and gradualy increase the speed to i have it perfect!

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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:26 am
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Warpfield wrote:
Miami Mike wrote:
I listen to the structure of the different parts of the tune and try to hear how they run together and I'll hear little clues as to what scales or areas of the neck that the notes are being played at.

Once I have a general idea of the pattern, I find it pretty easy enough to play along using improvisation until I happen to hit the *exact* notes that I'm hearing in the tune.

Sometimes, I've used a free software program called Audacity, which allows you to slow down the tempo without changing the pitch of a song.


Hmmm, I didn't know you could do that with Audacity.


It's very easy to do :

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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:08 am
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bluesgrass wrote:
Starting slow and speeding up is a good plan, but remember that it is important to vary the speed that you practice at. Back in high school, the band director used to say that if you can't play it slow, you can't play it.
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT


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