What are the steps to learning a song?

[ManofPraise]

Anybody know the steps to learning a song? I know you start with the melondy line and then you go to the chords. But how do you find the bass line of a song? Do you find it by playing around or is there a method?

[T-Block]

The bass line is the lowest notes that you hear.  It is the deep notes that drive the song.  The melody notes is just the opposite, it is the highest notes that you hear.  If you can figure out those 2 components, you about half way there to learning the song.  What's left is filling in the middle.

[4hisglory]

But how do you find the bass line of a song?

Couldn't do this at first but all it takes is practice.  You just have to listen to songs, and listen to the bass and try to duplicate what you hear.

[ManofPraise]

Thanks T-Block and 4hisglory for the post. I will try and practice this with some different songs maybe on the radio, if I get time or think about it.

[alexanderhowze]

Also I found that when you are starting out, a lot of times your ear is quicker than your fingers.  So try to hum out the bass line with the recording, then play what you are humming.

[ManofPraise]

Thank' yall for all of the posts.

[diverse379]

I agree with T-block for the first time

 

But l;et me add this to the mix

pay real close attention to the intro

learn it first

why?

one it will really identify the song and they will know exactly what your are playing

two the intro is usually some hard to hear part in the middle of the song with all kinds of business going on and its hard to hear but if you catch it on the intro when you get to that part in the song you already know how to play it

third intros can be adapted to other songs

and you can make vamps out of them

lastly intros usually have runs that you can begin to add to your bag of tricks

so learn those intros you will be happy you did

first mpressions are lasting
if you start the song like the record people will be more inclined to believe you know how to play the song and it becomes easier to teach them

singers can be rough on newbies

i still have the bruises on my ego to prove it

[Cherri]

Thanks for the words of wisdom.