How To Learn Songs FAST

[@jamesgoodwin9829]

After 40 years as a bassist, I find that personal practice is useful for working on technique and harmonic concepts (scale based, chord tones, key centered.etc). Learning songs for me is all about listening. My hands know where the notes are, but I need to train my brain to know the song form, time feel, and cues. Then praise band practice is all about arrangements, transitions, and accents.

[@bobbywaldschmidt6825]

I listen to our setlist all week long, listening for parts etc. The best part is when I listen and try to study guitar parts and lead lines, the words just take over and get me through my week! Have a great Sunday brothers! Thank you for what you do to help us!

[@worshipartistry]

Love that! Have a good Sunday!

[@tk.gaines]

Same! I have a Spotify playlist that I change out every time I’m playing and that’s my music for the week.

[@marcmenickella4014]

Totally hit the nail on the head on this concept. The difference on Sunday when I've had the time to spend that little bit of extra time internalizing the ins and outs of the songs/tones throughout the week, is incredible. As a self admitted perfectionist, it can become overwhelming when there's certain parts of the set that I'm not 100% on. The goal is to be so locked in that you don't even have to look at the sheet/ipad whatever.

[@maliekelly7338]

So true what you are saying 🔥🔥BY REPETITION!!! Slow it down, section by section, Do not move onto the next section until you intellectually understand all Aspects. Cannot execute what you do not understand. Process is as much physical & intellectual. Also very hard to worship if you are insecure about what chord to play or harmony to sing next. Basically then operating in fear because you do not Really know is what you are doing - continuous, productive rehearsals and repetition always produces results. Depending on your level of expertise, There is NO fast way to learn a new song. Or at least really own it and play it with a fearless command. It takes as long as it takes 🌟🌟

[@worshipartistry]

@@maliekelly7338 great advice! Loved the “cannot execute what you do not understand”

[@houseofjesseworship]

Great talk guys! I've taken the "listen to the song 6-10 times before practicing" in my own memorization process and it's helped immensely in the past few months.

[@worshipartistry]

@@houseofjesseworship hey bro! It’s really wild how much it helps!

[@brandontholt]

Thanks for making this video. It was encouraging to know I'm not alone in my struggles when trying to learn new songs. I appreciate you guys!

[@worshipartistry]

@@brandontholt thanks dude, we appreciate you!

[@Billy-ck2ld]

This is just so refreshing. The number of times people have handed me music for songs I have never heard before and said it's easy, ready set go, and you have a solo in the middle of it. You guys are so honest. And yes, I need a metronome as well. Slow, medium and fast in a metronome. And, playing my guitar well without fumbling or hitting a wrong string or bumping a string during a bend takes me awhile to make it sound good. Oh and the disccusion on switching effects spot on as well. Practicing standing up and having my board set and turning on an effect. Thanks, Worship Artistry!!!!

[@worshipartistry]

So glad it was affirming. Things take as long as they take and it's worth the effort.

[@kevinburrows]

This is great advice,I am going to slow things down a bit and learn the song the right way thanks

[@worshipartistry]

Slowing down can really make things faster! Glad you liked the video.

[@brynerlee]

This video is so honest and open, and I truly appreciate how real you guys are! It inspires me to take more to learn the songs deeply. Thank you all!

[@worshipartistry]

Our pleasure! Thanks man

[@donly8408]

This is a much-needed topic, and I appreciate it. So, I'm in a situation where I did both the short cut and the long way. I learned the song, but without much context and I struggled remembering it. I'm having to learn 6 songs for gig this coming weekend and I'm listening to music A LOT. As I got to learn the parts, its soooooo much easier to learn, digest and recall with that approach. I'm definitely in agreement of listening to the entire song over and over, then going back to learn the parts. Thanks for the video gentlemen.

[@jonbecker3561]

Loved the segment. Learning songs in my lane are all about listening for form and feel (bass finger style mostly, 60-90 BPM, 4/4 or 6/8, like most CCM). However, I got a middle / high school worship night coming up and couldn't be more excited. Except... My technique has to expand quickly although the worship leaders gave me a month lead time (bless them!). Now I'm learning songs at 130 -150 BPM, with a pick, and one has swing feel 8ths (haven't done that in worship before ;). Time to go practice - and slow down to speed up. Almost prepped and ready - and a far better musician getting kicked out of my comfort zone. Grace & peace!

[@eugenejoseph7076]

You should know how to play the original song exactly like the song writer intended it first, THEN, AND ONLY THEN, will you be able to put your own creative feel to it when you play for others. When I can do that to a song, I feel like its my song now, as I play it.

[@nicshoffner3131]

I get my setlist 7 to 10 days in advance. I always start by listening to the songs a few times. Then, if tab is available, I listen to them a few more times while following the tab while I visualize what my hands would be doing while I play each part. If I have to figure the parts out for myself, I listen to the EG mixes in MultiTracks several times as well. That's when I finally pick up the guitar and start working out each part. Once I pick up the guitar, I usually can muddle my way through an entire song in 15 to 30 minutes but sometimes it take much longer. I typically get a chance to run through my setlist at least 5 or 6 times before I have to be on the platform so it usually goes well enough.

[@deadtothewxrld]

I can't remember when, but everyone's favorite youtube uncle Tom Bukovac recently said something to the effect of- "you know those bands that everyone says are super tight? They always sound so dialed in... that's called practice." And it's so true. A band isn't tight just because they're good, it's because they've played that music together like 900 times. That's also why church bands are almost never "tight", we show up a couple hours early and play the songs once (rarely twice) together before service. I've been blessed to have played with some stellar musicians in church/conferences, and even the talent of high level guys can't overcome lack of practice as a group.

[@deut3168]

I learn the chord progression first. I find playing along with the chords (cowboy chords) gives you a feel for the structure and arrangement of a song. Then I move on to learn "parts". But the parts make much more sense because I know the chords underneath. I can more easily anticipate my parts bc I know the chords in the arrangement. If I get stuck, I at least know I need to land on a note in the 1, 4, 6, etc. I find it more fun when playing bc you are adding a layer to the sound instead of just playing a part. It gives much more freedom to embellish and adapt.

[@Mike__S]

It wasn't until a month ago that I got serious about learning worship electric guitar. My background is vocals and playing rhythm for cover bands previously. I did learn some lead guitar practices over the years just to vainly showboat for a few seconds and serve the songs every once in awhile. I've been asked by my leader to just play electric lead, because everything else is covered(i.e. rhythm and vocals) so now I'm learning and "mastering" electric guitar in worship songs. It has been both challenging and fun. And just like stated in the video here, I'm looking forward to playing these beautiful parts too serve the song and I hope whoever is working the mixer isn't burying it to an almost invisible noise behind the keyboard 😢

[@richardmorris363]

I learn songs by making my own chart. I use Word. Forces me to break it down to each beat. Important to know how many beats at the end of each section. Does it go directly to the next section? 2 beats (quarter notes) or 4 or 8 beats?… Too, you see patterns. Most songs are simply repeating blocks of chord progressions. But… be aware that songs lately are getting more complicated, each chorus is adding new chords etc

[@adyuriar]

You guys are having the conversation I have weekly in my head… 😂❤. Thanks for the straight talk. I usually block most music KZbins… but I liked and subscribed to you guys. Keep it up. Please try not to get bored too much as you add content. 🎉

[@worshipartistry]

Well thanks for the sub!

[@SundaySetlist]

I definitely listen to a song several times before picking up my guitar. You have to familiarize and internalize the structure and melodies before trying to figure it out. It makes things so much easier! And then I break down the parts one at a time. Once I have it down, I play it over and over like 30 times until it’s muscle memory and I’m happy with how it sounds. This is my process for learning any new song and even relearning an old song. Then I can actually say “I know how to play this song”.

[@worshipartistry]

@@SundaySetlist 💪💪 30 times, DANG 🔥 that’s rad. We’ve seen your content and know you kill it every time!

[@SundaySetlist]

@@worshipartistry Thank you for the kind words 🙏🏻 30 may be an exaggeration for some songs but it comes from playing in several bands and having to know the parts quickly and accurately for a live show. Now I just need Nick Rice to help with my videos and I’ll be all set 👍🏻😂

[@CalvinLimSH-ld5le]

Thanks for sharing how we can learn a new song fast and quickly. More important is the melody of the song and the chord progressions used in the verses or chorus of the song. Playing chord melody also helps us to visualize the whole song quickly how we sing and play our musical instruments. We can simplify the guitar playing process by using bass or power chord to play along with the song backing tracks. This is how I learn a new song fast and quickly if I can can play and sing it in the right key within my vocal range.

[@worshipartistry]

That’s great advice too!

[@MRxr400]

I have been frustrated with church music, given to me the night before, Saturday night, for the Sunday morning. Out of 4 songs, i might know one or two. So i have to learn the songs that night, get up early and go over it again and get to church tired, but ready. I only play by ear and don't have sheet music or ipad on stage. i do have a basic cheat sheet, but try not look at it. It's pressure but makes you a better musician being thrown in the deep end. The way i got to be able to do it is go to local jam nights and jump up and play along by ear. I also play in cover bands, with time to learn songs with band and i can recall hundreds of songs without music. it's really good to push yourself and not get freaked out and give it a go. worst thing is when the music director/singer wants to do it in another key. It adds time for transposition.

[@MRxr400]

My dislike of ipads and sheet music is that you free yourself up and really gel with a song without the safety net of looking for the next chord. When you do that, you can really start to worship on the instrument and connect with the band.

[@worshipartistry]

@@MRxr400 wow, hundreds of songs with no music?? I need to get on the level!

[@MRxr400]

@@worshipartistry I discovered i could do it by the way i work out songs. i sit and listen, write the chords down in the structure. then i pick up the guitar, throw the piece of paper into a file and just play along with a recording till i get it right from start to finish without pausing the music. Not fully polished, but good enough to take to band rehearsal. I can somehow remember chords, but shocking with song names and often start the wrong song from the band next on set list. keeps my band mates on their toes. i can't read tabs or real music and my eyes don't see chards on ipad very well, so kind of have to do it by ear.

[@MRxr400]

@@worshipartistry also, love War On Drugs, listening to them all night. G'day from Australia too.

[@danielfmyers]

I listen to a new song a couple times in the car while running errands and identify the chord progressions of sections, regardless of key. I can pretty easily picture how to play it in G, then adjust when I sit down with my instrument at home and planning center.

[@worshipartistry]

I wish I could picture it like you do. That’s cool to me. I’m happy that’s been successful for you!

[@MemphisMike901]

Many situations for church, got the setlist on Friday before Sunday AM. I always listen many times before looking at chart. And then it always in a different key. 😂. I am a keyboardist so i am really listening for signature intros or signature bridges that may be keyboard dominant. Am i a professional keyboardist? Ehhh, maybe not.. but then again, when you can learn it quickly, maybe you are possibly a professional? Food for thought possibly. ?

[@NickRiceFilm]

WOW, you guys rool.

[@worshipartistry]

@@NickRiceFilm calm down Nick!

[@djfuzzystump]

wow, this was a great video. You guys earned another sub and I look forward to watching more of your channel. The part about the click guide sounding annoyed hit home 😂

[@worshipartistry]

Thanks for the sub! The click is always annoyed with us 😂