Part or Whole Songs?

[fogman]

For those of you who are not in a regular band, I have this question for you.

When learning new songs, do you try to learn 100% of the song or do you only learn the recognizeable riffs and licks to show off???

I personally don't recall ever learning a whole song from beginning to end.
It's one of my new years resolutions to learn some 100%. (oh ya! and get my first ebmm too!)

 

[jbert]

I'm right there with you - have made it a specialty, in fact!

Since I've recently had the good fortune of finding some guys to jam with every 2-3 weeks, it has become a rather obvious handicap. The guys I play with are like encyclopeodias of 70's and 80's rock tunes, so I am learning tons from them (while they are being very patient with me).

The other drawback is remembering all the parts and changes of more complex tunes when you've only been using your "short-term musical memory" all these years...

I am also adopting your resolution for 2006

Cheers,

Jbert

P.S. I remember reading a joke in a guitar magazine a couple of years ago - an amateur guitarist's favourite song is "no wait, it goes something like this..."

 

[fogman]

P.S. I remember reading a joke in a guitar magazine a couple of years ago - an amateur guitarist's favourite song is "no wait, it goes something like this..."

LOL!!!!
Isn't that the truth!


.

 

[brentrocks]

Since i'm not that great of a guitar player, i try to learn the main rifs and the rhythm guitar parts so i can jam along.....maybe an accasional solo if i'm feeling bold!

 

[beej]

I generally like to capture elements of the song but with my own flavour. So I'll use the main riffs, recognizable elements in a solo, etc. and play the rest like me. (Unless I'm trying to work through a song like an exercise.)

There are always exceptions where people like to hear cover tunes exactly like the recording.

 

[PugNinjas]

I was in a cover band for over 5 years and as long as the main skeleton of the song was true to the recording, I found no one really gives a rat's a$$ if you add some personal flavor. In fact, our regulars would tell me they look forward to hearing what little "me-isms" I would add. There was a ton of freedom in my band because my bassist & drummer were monsters and would keep a ridiculously solid groove allowing me to have some fun.

 

[SteveB]

I have always learned entire songs, unless I was dabbling with something way beyond my ability..

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I generally like to capture elements of the song but with my own flavour. So I'll use the main riffs, recognizable elements in a solo, etc. and play the rest like me. (Unless I'm trying to work through a song like an exercise.)

There are always exceptions where people like to hear cover tunes exactly like the recording.

I play in lots of bands, but this is what I do. Just get the gist and add your own flavour!

 

[CudBucket]

When I was in a band I learn the tune note for note first and eventually I'd personalize it. Now, in my own practice room, I try, still, to learn it all. The last two things I've worked on when I've had the time is the entire Scenes From a Memory album from Dream Theater. I got all the way into the 5th or 6th song (of 12) before I had to take a break. When I got saturated in DT I moved on to Satriani's "Always With Me, Always With You" because it's a beautiful piece, is short and not hard to learn. I think I'll be able to knock that off in one more sitting. I get the tabs for the parts I can't quite hear well in the recording but for 85% of it, I do it myself to keep my ear in shape.

I discovered that my Dell PC shipped with a Creative Labs Soundcard that has a cool little program that will play MP3s AND slow it down to a crawl without changing the pitch. It works great and really helps with the tricky stuff.

Dave

 

[Jonny Dubai]

I never learned anything note for note. Not even in the guitar mag lessons. I think this is how i developed my own style. Some say I have no style



Jonny

(its cold....i have trouseres on for the 1st ime this year!)