Guitar & Musician Forums

Since learning to play guitar, I've realized there are 2 completely different ways to learn a song:

1. The long way: learning to play all the notes, knowing exactly where my fingers need to be at every moment to make it sound as close to the original as possible. This can take hours or even months, depending on the song and your own skill level.

2. The "simpler" way: learning the structure or skeleton of the song, even if you don't place all your fingers exactly where the tablature indicates, but still making it sound like a song from beginning to end. Then you gradually add the arrangements.

I always thought the first method was the right one, that's how I was taught from the start. Until I met a guy who could learn any song in no more than 5 minutes (we're talking about pop/rock songs, of course). The songs he played weren't perfect, sure, but those of us who listened didn't care at all. It's not that the guy had impeccable guitar technique, we could even say he was a pretty mediocre guitarist, but musically (and I think this is the important thing), everything worked. I was actually quite envious of his approach to a song; I thought learning each of those songs would take me 30 minutes or more, and he did it effortlessly.

Ultimately, I see both good and bad points in these methods. The long way can be demotivating and boring, but in the end, you'll have greater control over the song. However, the simpler way seems more musical and fun, but you always run the risk of not learning the song correctly.

What do you think about this? Which method do you prefer and why?

Method two requires some knowledge of theory in order to fill in and improvise the gist of any song. That requires a lot of time and study, too. Method one is where everyone starts because no one knows theory at the very beginning. But you need to learn songs

The second way is a new skill to me and it’s a lot of fun. I used to always find a tab or instructional video and try to go note for note and play exactly what I was hearing on the record. Now one of my favorite things is to play along with songs on the radio or Spotify as I hear them. It’s great ear training and great improvisation training. If a song has a solo, it’s really fun to just make up my own. My favorite thing is when I can put together a guitar part that’s not in the song but works in the existing arrangement. That’s when I feel the most musical.

In 50+ years of playing guitar and bass, I have only ever done method 2. It never even occurred to me to do method 1. I listen to the song, and work out the chord progressions (or get a chord list) Then work out how to play the tune. Add in bits once I have the outline. Bear in mind that I never try to copy a song, just learn to play a version.