Musicians + Guitar Experts........?

Question

I was just wondering if any of you could suggest a routine for learning songs the quickest and most memorable way on the guitar?

I practice a lot but feel like my time could be organised better and struggle to remember certain parts of songs.

Any advice would be much appriciated.

stratplayer1967 · Accepted Answer

Okay, first thing you need to do is understand that playing any musical instrument is not going to be easy.  If you wanted to be a rock star tomorrow, I'm sorry.

1.  Listen to the type of music you want to play.
2.  Start SLOWLY and build up speed.
3.  Start SLOWLY and build up speed
4.  When you are learning a new song go one note a time if you need to, then go to one bar.  Work on that one bar or note or line until you have it.  Repeating is the key.
5.  Don't practice too much.  When you get frustrated, set it down for a bit, I've gone several days.  You'll be amazed at how much better you feel.
6.  Start out simple.  You're not gonna play Satch's Boogie right away, sorry.  Play something at your level until you get that, then move on.

Guitar is a very wonderful thing, it will bring you a life time of fun if you stick with it.  Remember that you will always be learning.  BB King has been playing for 70 years and still learns new licks from people.

When all else fails  START OUT SLOWLY AND BUILD UP SPEED.

Good luck!

and p.s.  there is no quick way, don't buy into that I'll teach you how to play in 45 minutes crap.  Clapton will work 3-4 hours on one string bend, and he's a "guitar god"

traverselive · Answer

Something that worked well for me was this:

Set a number for yourself, like 10. Start out with the first few measures of the song. Once you can play the basic gist of that, play it until you can do it 10 times in a row perfectly.  If you get to the 9th time and make a mistake, start over.  Then grab a few more measures and do that 10 times in a row perfectly. Then put the 2 together.  If you proceed this way you'll really start getting it down. If you want to be pickier set a number like 20. If you can play that part 20 x in a row w/ no mistakes, you can feel pretty confidant that you own that part.

Sometimes people try to work on too much at once. Or, once they get the main progressions in the song down they consider that song "learned".  That above method works really well for learning solos and other phrases from songs. Worked well for me for a long time, I still use that method when I have a hard time getting a part down.

Also, set a schedule you will definately stick to to practice at a certain time each day for a minimum amount of time (say an hour).  Then if you can, play longer of course!

Anonymous · Answer

So,your problem is remembering some parts of songs...This is unusual.I don't know what to say to you.When I play,song just goes naturally.Maybe you play songs that you don't listen often.I play songs that I listen every day,and then,when I play,my fingers go on their own,something goes by hearing.Either way,if you just began playing guitar,it seems hard,and it seems like no matter how often you play,you can't do it.But,you must practice.And try to listen as many times as you can that songs that you play.If my advice didn't help you,seek for help from your teacher.

Guitar Hero · Answer

Jam with as many people as you can. The more you play with different people the more you'll learn. Don't limit yourself to any one style of music, learn how to play anything. Over a short period of time you'll find learning songs becomes much easier.

~akoh~ · Answer

practice..we practice every night..together as a band..dont use your mind to locate notes or remember chords..use your heart..love your music and it will love you back..this is the easiest way to learn a guitar or any musical instrument..