Memorising song structures

[SteveXFR]

Im having some trouble remembering more complex song structures. Our band has lots of double length bridges, half verses and missing choruses and other weird stuff that works great but is a bugger to remember. I love that the listener doesn't know whats coming next, I just wish I knew!

Any tips or is it just repetition until I get it?

[Lozz196]

Just repetition until you get it imo Steve, I’ve been going through this myself with the latest song we’ve decided to do and just going over & over it is getting me there, I can’t see any quicker way to be honest.

[peteb]

Write out simple charts until you have played the songs enough times to memorise them. 

 

[ezbass]

20 minutes ago, peteb said:

Write out simple charts until you have played the songs enough times to memorise them. 

 

^^^^ Very much this. Any little note that aids memory/instills confidence is worthwhile. I used to have tunes that I’d have a mental block with, which only got worse as the section approached. I’d just write a few chords down on the set list that I could quickly look at for reassurance.

[peteb]

13 minutes ago, ezbass said:

^^^^ Very much this. Any little note that aids memory/instills confidence is worthwhile. I used to have tunes that I’d have a mental block with, which only got worse as the section approached. I’d just write a few chords down on the set list that I could quickly look at for reassurance.

 

Remember, this is what ever pro will do if they are asked to dep /  learn a set. It is just a part of a skill set that it is a good idea for you to develop. 

 

[chris_b]

I'm currently learning a set for a new band. 99% original songs and the band leader/singer/songwriter doesn't always use the 4 bar structure. The stuff you don't have to learn. Where you can feel the changes. Usually learning a set is about patterns but this guy is using different structures, 6 bars instead of 4, sometimes 5!! I'm also contending with double length bridges, half verses, missing choruses and bridge sections that sometimes have rules and sometimes don't! I've written charts from the YouTube and mp3's supplied. The first gig, in 2 weeks, is the audition. I'll either join the band or it was just a dep. Failure is not an option so I'm playing the full set every day. I intend to know these songs better than the guy who wrote them and play them better than the last bassist. IMO it's a good band so it's worth the effort.

[Sean]

2 hours ago, ezbass said:

^^^^ Very much this. Any little note that aids memory/instills confidence is worthwhile. I used to have tunes that I’d have a mental block with, which only got worse as the section approached. I’d just write a few chords down on the set list that I could quickly look at for reassurance.

I had two cheat sheets taped to the set list Saturday night. 

My own "shorthand" that I use.  One was for the unique non- standard end section of Mr Blue Sky that the bands plays and the other for One Step Beyond. Both are printed on the top quarter of an A4 sheet, cut off and taped to the set list, or back of a monitor. 

I've done it for years with various songs. After a few gigs they stick.

 

However, Saturday night I had a little moment during the first bridge of Mr Brightside where I completely forgot where to put my fingers. Last non- encore song of the night, played it dozens of times over the years and rehearsed it last week without incident, then I get the "wtf moment". I probably fumbled half a bar but it felt like the world collapsing. I don't think you can mitigate much for brain facts like that. I practise until I don't get stuff wrong but sometimes we glitch. 

[Dad3353]

5 hours ago, SteveXFR said:

...Any tips ...

 

My Top Tip is to practice the ending (last few bars, or section, or last minute, or however it's structured...). Long enough to be able to retain it, and feel comfortable with it. Once that's acquired, start practicing the preceding section, and continue through with the ending. As you advance, you'll be playing into territory that's more and more familiar. Continue with this until both sections are done. Now start off, again, with the preceding section... Rince and repeat until you've started from the beginning. Choose the length of each of these sections to be within your comfort zone each.
Essentially, start from the end and work backwards in chunks. You'll find that, this way, every song ends with you playing a part that you're very comfortable with, so enjoyment increases as the song progresses.

This Tip applies in other domains, for actors learning long lines, anyone doing speeches and more still. Try it and see; you may be agreeably surprised. 

[police squad]

In my U2 tribute I have written sheets to help me, as we do live versions of the tracks (and many live versions are different with U2)

the more I practice them, the more I can visualise the sheets

[SteveXFR]

Thanks for the tips. Ill get on to writing out charts for the songs giving me trouble. 

 

Next challenge, thinking of a band name we all like.

Edited 2 hours ago by SteveXFR

[ezbass]

22 minutes ago, SteveXFR said:

Next challenge, thinking of a band name we all like.

The most troublesome and yet least important thing a band faces. Been there, compromised on that, numerous times. I’m still trying to get someone to use Post Burrito Depression (one of Tony Levin’s spares).

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Hook up a recording device to your PA then you have a track to rehearse to.  Before long it'll be second nature

[Sean]

1 minute ago, JimmyJamJerusalem said:

Hook up a recording device to your PA then you have a track to rehearse to.  Before long it'll be second nature

I have a folder with rehearsal reference recordings.  The band plays a lot of the songs differently to the originals, an extra couple of bars here and there, timing changes, stops etc.  Playing along to the originals is just the starting point.