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Fun Stuff => BAND => Topic started by: Ph2 on 19 Sep 2012, 19:10

Title: How Do You Learn
Post by: Ph2 on 19 Sep 2012, 19:10
I didn't see this in the first few pages, so here it is.

How do you learn new songs, instruments, and stuff like that?

Do you have certain methods or madnesses you use or anything in particular for your learning needs?
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: idontunderstand on 20 Sep 2012, 03:17
Listen, look at lyrics (if any), try playing, figure out any parts that are difficult or weird, play again. If it still sounds like shit I either give up or start over.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: Asterus on 20 Sep 2012, 12:35
I've always had this a little easy because I started with the piano, which meant I could handle reading almost anything.
Really, leaning music is pretty much an excercise in persistence. You are going to suck at it when you start. A lot. (I mean the "I don't want anyone to hear me play" a lot.) Just get a feel for what you need to do (and how the instrument works)experiment to see of anything makes it easier for you, and then take IDU's process.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: ALoveSupreme on 20 Sep 2012, 22:44
Yeah, I had a private instructor for when I still played the saxophone as a kid, and even though I haven't touched that instrument in years, he had really good methods for practicing at home: play it over and over until you can play it five times in a row correctly.  I'm not usually that militant but the idea of that philosophy definitely helps keep me motivated.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: VonKleist on 21 Sep 2012, 02:24
I had private education for years on the classical guitar so everything was kind of strict concerning posture and such which is kind of rigid in comparison with how I play guitar now (which is for shit). Anyway, I probably could read sheet music if forced at gunpoint but what I carried away from the experience is:
Repetition, start at slow tempo and practice with a metronome as you progress, don't speed up until you can get a passage just right, do your exercises allthough they are dull and bore you out of your mind. Rest your hands regularly and allow your muscles to unclench by gently shaking your our some such. Oh and wash your hands before playing your instrument.

I don't necessarily keep to all that, though.
Title: How Do You Learn
Post by: pwhodges on 21 Sep 2012, 07:32
Don't just practice 'till you get it right, practice 'till you can't get it wrong.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: Pilchard123 on 21 Sep 2012, 08:48
If you can't get it wrong when it's early in the morning and you are/have been drunk, then I'd say that you've probably learned it.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: idontunderstand on 21 Sep 2012, 13:39
Perfection does not exist.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: Kwaping on 21 Sep 2012, 14:20
In one of his recent songs, Buddy Guy says, "Close your eyes and play."  Simple, yet effective. I need to do that more often.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: pwhodges on 21 Sep 2012, 18:31
Don't just practice 'till you get it right, practice 'till you can't get it wrong.

Even early in the morning or when drunk?

The point is not to think that you've made it when you've got it right just once.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: Ph2 on 28 Sep 2012, 14:40
Don't just practice 'till you get it right, practice 'till you can't get it wrong.

Even early in the morning or when drunk?

The point is not to think that you've made it when you've got it right just once.

I need to work on this more.

Also, what kind of medium do you prefer when learning something? Tabs, chord sheets, sheet music, videos?
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: idontunderstand on 29 Sep 2012, 01:39
By ear 100%. I used to be able to read sheet music but it's all gone now.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: Patrick on 02 Oct 2012, 03:01
Don't just practice 'till you get it right, practice 'till you can't get it wrong.

Even early in the morning or when drunk?

Dude, if you don't have a contingency plan for being fucked up at shows...
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: Ph2 on 02 Oct 2012, 08:44
I do, it's called 'play punk songs'

I have found this to be accurate.
Title: Re: How Do You Learn
Post by: Patrick on 03 Oct 2012, 04:13
Maybe the next time I mean to say "yes" I should just do that instead of try to be funny :P