How do you learn a new tune

[Sherman Willden]

I seem to always start with the melody and search for the chord progression later. Do you start with the chord progression? Which is easier? This would be for existing music such as Waltz Across Texas and others.

Thank you;

Sherman

[Brett Day]

I do it by listening to steel parts on records and then seein' if I can play the steel parts.

Brett

[Edward Meisse]

I do it like you do, Sherman. But it is very important to get both melody AND chords. I do listen to the steel parts if there are any. I look for recordings of the tunes by steel players to listen to. But I don't try to recreate what others have done. Most of what I do has not been done on steel before to my knowledge.

[Marc Friedland]

Sherman,
That’s an interesting question.

If I’m just jamming along with a CD for fun, I’ll just figure out the key and jump right in, but if I’m asked to learn a song to play with a band at a performance, then I’ll actually do some homework.

For me, it’s different depending on the song, and what’s easy for me to hear.
I have a pretty good ear for hearing chord changes, so if I can hear a guitar or keyboard actually playing some kind of steady rhythm, then it would probably be easiest to figure out the chords first. If I can hear the bass notes clearly enough, that’s also a good way to determine the chord changes.
I choose this method first, because if I know the key of the song and the chord changes, the melody of the song will be that much easier to figure out.

I can figure out the melody first, but that method usually ends up taking longer, because I’ll have to figure out the chords at some point anyway.

After I’m familiar with the basic song structure and chord changes, I’ll listen for when, where and what the pedal steel is playing – is there a reoccurring theme, an extended solo, is it playing fills in the verses, or lead-ins to the chorus, or only in the bridge, etc, etc, etc.

Attempting to figure out the existing steel part, which I’m only so-so at or creating my own is usually the final part of the process, except for practicing of course.

-- Marc

[John Roche]

Depending on how difficult the tune/ song is, I would play along with it if it's an easy one, but if a tough one I put the song through Digital Music Mentor and it works out the chords, print and play along with the song using the print out as guide.

[Brett Day]

If there's a song that features no steel, try to come up with your own steel parts.

Brett

[Del Bonn]

Quickest, simplest way for old or current standards:
Get sheet music with melody and chords noted- play'em

[Andy Sandoval]

I use Band in a Box to practice with. Sometimes if I can't figure out the chords to a song it's easy to find a midi file of the song then import it into Band in a box which now gives you the chords. I can then change to whatever key I need and tweek the chords just a tad. I also try to find some tab for the parts that give me some trouble and there's plenty of tab available right here on the forum if you search for it. I know a lot of folks frown on using tab but the days of spinnin a 78 around at half speed is far behind us with the internet at our disposal. I like to use this modern technology to my advantage. Ok, I'm done ramblin...

[Brandon Ordoyne]

I not that experienced, but for me it seems to be easier with knowing the chord progression, you need to know that anyhow, and to get yourself hearing the chord changes. My friend and mentor told me to chart out the song first, then come up with the melody.

Brandon

[Twayn Williams]

I rarely play the melody, so I learn the chords and then find my part, which can be very melodic in nature and might echo parts of the vocal.

[Dave Mudgett]

Unless it's so obvious that I can just hear it without thinking about it at all, I first listen to the song and write a chord chart down - that is if there isn't one available somewhere.

If a melody is straightforward, I don't usually need to write anything down once I understand the chord progression. But if it is very tricky or something that I have to play very precisely (like a twin instrument part), I will sometimes notate the melody also.

[Dick Wood]

For me it's chords and melody together and then I work out the steel parts.

[Mike Heavner]

John what is a Digital music mentor? Never heard of it.Sounds pretty useful.

[John Roche]

Mike, here..
http://www.sienzo.com/

[Scott Hiestand]

It depends what you are trying to "learn". Are you trying to copy a steel solo, play the melody (which sort of implies being a "lead" instrument vs. a back-up), or create fills in a chorus or bridge?

For trying to copy a steel lick or part, I just listen, copy what I can, and what I can't hear right away (or if it's a really fast lick) I'll slow down using Winamp. (It's a great tool). I know some folks frown on this (copying) because it's not being "original", but I disagree. Why wouldn't I want to learn licks or solos by Lloyd Green, Weldon Myrick, Buddy Emmons, etc? These are the masters, after all. Once you have an arsenal of licks and learn to string them together over the more commonly used chord changes, you can create some fairly nice solos. I am not saying I am "there" by any means, but I think this approach works.

Learning to play a melody is good ear training, I do less of this but should probably do more. (Actually I am, on the C6 neck which I am trying to become more proficient at).

As far as fills, I think what Marc said. Sometimes a "sub-melody" works well...a recognizable theme based off of the melody.

Obviously it's always better (some would say imperative!) to know what chord changes you are playing over, but sometimes I don't bother. Terrible, I know. It's laziness in it's worst musical form but I have always found it easier to let my ear do the work than to "think", if that makes any sense.

[Damien Odell]

with great difficulty generally.

[Dale Hansen]

I've always envied guys, like Mike Douchette, and others, that seem to be able to hear just one run through, and chart it out as it's running, and have it nailed down.
I've tried for years to get more efficient at charting, and learning the form of a song, but I just instinctively have to disengage mentally, (analytically speaking) and simply listen to it over, and over, until it drips out of my pores.
In 97', I had just moved out here, and had a basic knowledge of the number system. I'd just gotten my first artist gig, and was in near panic, having to learn my parts in 20 plus songs, and the first rehearsal was only a couple of days away.

Well, I'd think that the parts themselves, were my biggest battle, but I still had to learn the forms, and structure of all of them to get everything in the right place.
I was fortunate enough to have a new friend in town, a fella by the name of Jack Daniels, (believe it or not)who offered to help me out with getting everything charted out, get me settled down, and pointed in the right general direction.
That was the closest that I ever got to feeling like I just might be able to get proficient at it one day.

My worst problem has always been in trying to hear too much of whats going on, and getting overwhelmed with a feeling similar to having someone holler out "Catch!", and then having a bushel of ping-pong balls come raining down on my head. (like "Captain Kangaroo".)
I do know by now, that I always get better results in the learning of anything, if I don't feel the pressures of any "have to's".
"Want to's" are more fun, and manageable.

[Charley Wilder]

Chords first for me. I generally play along in the chord pattern and work on the melody from there. I think I got that way from learning a lot of songs that didn't have a steel on the recording. Also I never try to learn the exact melody. No fun doing that!

[Tony Prior]

Ok, I'll play

First I listen to the song a few times to learn it.

Then if I don't already have it AUTO charted, I write a simple chart and possibly make notes.

Then sit and play the chart to the original, either on guitar and/or Steel. Then definitely learn the melody lines first, then the ad lib parts if any.

If it is a song such as an AJ tune with signature Steel and Guitar parts I will learn those as well, or at least give it my best shot.

[John De Maille]

I second Tony's approach. It works for me.

[Pete Macomber]

I third Tony's approach!
I think the key is to internalize the tune, memorize it. Then map the melody, which usually floats in parallel with the chord progression, right? That's how I learn tunes.
Or just go to cowpie. ha ha

[Stephen Gambrell]

Uh, go to St. Louis?

[Ernest Cawby]

With my brain damage i need to have the words on a music stand so i can be sure to follow the song correctly. I told Jeff Newman one time I had to play a song a 100 times to learn it he said "join the club" He was being nice I doubt Jeff had to do that.

ernie

[Ben Lawson]

I like to make a chord chart first then play along with the CD or tape. At 62 my memory isn't what it used to be but I find that I'm better off not using any chart for too long. On the shows we do, usually two to two & 1/2 hours, I "try" to memorize everything in advance so I don't need my plexiglass windshield on the front of my steel for too long.
Depending on who played on the session I try to learn what they did and keep the general flavor. If it's Paul, Buddy or someone of that stature I usually can't play it like they do anyway. I try to get it close and keep it within my own capabilities.
If it's a slow song I always try to think of what John Hughey or Ron Elliott might do. If it's up tempo I try not over play my fingers.

[Howard Tate]

I don't know if I follow any rules, but if the song has a difficult chord progression I use the Chord Wizard in the new Band in a Box.