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]

16 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 band 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 PA top. 

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 farts like that. I practise until I don't get stuff wrong but sometimes we glitch. 

Edited yesterday at 14:56 by Sean

[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 yesterday at 07:29 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.

[mcnach]

12 hours ago, SteveXFR said:

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?

 

When I am learning new songs, I like making a playlist with them so that I listen to them frequently... in the car, while at work... it's not as efficient as actually trying to memorise it, but it's very low effort and it's amazing how much your brain can pick up without really trying.

 

Of course, that's in addition to actual practice

[Lozz196]

That`s a very good call, let your subconscious do some of the work.

[Jonesy]

If I have odd structures to figure out, I usually go by one of the below.....

 

- I write out structures for the songs (nothing as technical as charts) and they live in a doc on the band shared drive.

- Sync a change to a line in the vocals and use that as a trigger. That's all well and good unless the change is in an instrumental part of a song.

- Sometimes just repetition is key and sometimes the charts go out the window, to be replaced by nods when playing. Easy in a 3 piece band, harder in a 5 piece!

- If all else fails then we rely on our drummer to play some sort of fill into a change. It's their job to count and it's about all they can do, so may as well put them to use.

[SteveK]

Memory's a funny old thing, innit?

I honestly have the world's worst memory for names, faces, facts, lists, situations etc. You name it - I'm crap at remembering it. I even went to a hypnotherapist many years ago in a desperate attempt to improve it... fortunately, I did remember to go😉 but, It didn't help! However, I can remember trivia and... song arrangements (thankfully).

 

To the point:

As has already been mentioned, "repetition" is the key! Record your rehearsal and then go through the songs at your leisure, at home. You'll be amazed at how quickly the arrangements will be etched in your brain.

Personally, I wouldn't rely on charts - you may find yourself over reliant on them... a kind of psychological crutch. But, use whatever method gets you confidently through the gig.

Edited yesterday at 15:50 by SteveK

[NancyJohnson]

As you get older recall becomes as issue, whereas stuff you played 40 years is still burnt into you.

 

For me, at the start of anything new, I always went off rough tabs during rehearsals, very much a case of walking before you run.  Tabs then go away after a couple of weeks and you just fumble through the next couple, then it becomes muscle memory.  There's no tricks or tips here, it's just how and what it is.

 

 

[Dan Dare]

On 23/02/2026 at 10:18, mcnach said:

When I am learning new songs, I like making a playlist with them so that I listen to them frequently... in the car, while at work... it's not as efficient as actually trying to memorise it, but it's very low effort and it's amazing how much your brain can pick up without really trying.

 

Of course, that's in addition to actual practice

 

This is very effective. I listen to stuff I want to learn whilst I'm driving, doing the ironing, etc, etc. It seems to seep into the brain almost un-noticed if you're not making a conscious effort to listen/learn.