Learning songs via tab . . .

[johmica]

Trying to develop my blues soloing, but I find that I when I learn a bunch of new licks, say from an Albert King tune or something, I have a hard time incorporating the new licks into my working vocabulary. I can play the song I learn note for note, but have trouble using the new material "on the fly." Any suggestions?

[jazztele]

Burn the tab. It's like painting by numbers. It doesn't teach you to hear...and until you can hear a lick in your head it ain't going to come out naturally in your playing.

get some paper, grab your guitar and some good records and start lifting those licks on your own.

[Space Pickle]

Burn the tab.

I concur.

[Leep Dog]

I don't know about burning tab. I think it's a good starting point to learn songs but it seems like most of the time the tabs are at least a little bit off, sometimes way off.

[Space Pickle]

burn it all

with fire

[johmica]

Right now I'm using TrueFire, so I know the tabs are right, and I've got video examples, as well. I have trouble learning by ear - always have. But I suppose there's only one way to get better.

[jazztele]

Getting better requires work. Start working now. Or you'll have more work later.

[jazztele]

Originally Posted by Leep Dog

I don't know about burning tab. I think it's a good starting point to learn songs but it seems like most of the time the tabs are at least a little bit off, sometimes way off.

It's not about the accuracy of the tab...this cat wants to use the stuff he's learning...which he'll never do if he's just playing back numbers on a paper.

[historicus146]

I have been a slave to tab...

I still maintain ... know what the player is THINKING....

see the choral changes...

you attempts will get better and better...if you know in your mind what is goin' on.

[greggorypeccary]

Sometimes I'm amazed we learned how to play at all back in the dark ages of the 80's, no interwebs, no YouTube, no forums... :)

[Tommy Biggs]

I'd learn the licks, then set up a loop of YOU playing the rhythm, and then solo over the loop until you have internalized them.

You can record them on a looper, or with a handheld, on your iphone whatever.

Then play the licks over some other changes.
Eventually you NEED to play with another guitar player.

[Space Pickle]

Originally Posted by greggorypeccary

Sometimes I'm amazed we learned how to play at all back in the dark ages of the 80's, no interwebs, no YouTube, no forums... :)

what dude, guitar was only invented in the early 90's.

[greggorypeccary]

Originally Posted by Tommy Biggs

I'd learn the licks, then set up a loop of YOU playing the rhythm, and then solo over the loop until you have internalized them.

You can record them on a looper, or with a handheld, on your iphone whatever.

Then play the licks over some other changes.
Eventually you NEED to play with another guitar player.

Or better yet, play the licks with the changes in your head. I'll amend the above statement and say that you need to play with other MUSICIANS.

[rave]

Find blues backing tracks on youtube (or anywhere) and record yourself soloing to them. This is a very eye opening experience.

[waparker4]

Can't imagine learning blues by tab. Blues is about closing your eyes and feeling things and stuff.

[boo radley]

Why is tab horrible, but using charts is fine, and we all respect the (extremely small) percentage of guitar players who can read standard notation?

I'm not being contrary - just genuinely curious. I have a TrueFire course, "Blues Alchemy" and it's very helpful looking at the sheet music as I try to learn the licks and phrases. My ear isn't that great, and it keeps me honest, and helps prevent internalizing errors.

[bigbandtele]

Originally Posted by boo radley

Why is tab horrible, but using charts is fine, and we all respect the (extremely small) percentage of guitar players who can read standard notation?

I'm not being contrary - just genuinely curious. I have a TrueFire course, "Blues Alchemy" and it's very helpful looking at the sheet music as I try to learn the licks and phrases. My ear isn't that great, and it keeps me honest, and helps prevent internalizing errors.

Standard notation is the standard written language in which we can communicate with other musicians. It's as simple as that.

[waparker4]

Originally Posted by boo radley

Why is tab horrible, but using charts is fine, and we all respect the (extremely small) percentage of guitar players who can read standard notation?

I'm not being contrary - just genuinely curious. I have a TrueFire course, "Blues Alchemy" and it's very helpful looking at the sheet music as I try to learn the licks and phrases. My ear isn't that great, and it keeps me honest, and helps prevent internalizing errors.

Tab's not horrible, but it's not working for the OP w.r.t. blues.

[johmica]

I really appreciate all the posts. You know, I've been playing for several years now, and I can basically play in two very distinct manners. I can improvise, basically by remaining in the blues box, and I can play covers, which I've learned note for note with the aid of tab. I'm bored with my relatively predicable improvised lines, but have trouble incorporating the plethora of licks I know in the context of the covers I've learned. I would love to learn by ear, but I struggle to get it right. I'm gonna begin putting more effort into it, though.

[cband7]

Originally Posted by jazztele

get some paper, grab your guitar and some good records and start lifting those licks on your own.

If it worked for Paul and John it'll work for you!!



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