How long should it take to learn a song?

[projectvoid]

Hello everyone, I've been playing for a little less then 2 years now and so far can only play 1 song the whole way through. I know about 100 different riffs but, I can never seem to get through learning a single song. I just get bored of it halfway through because I think I'm learning it to slow and start something else. Anyways, my question is how long should it take to learn a song? And yes I know it is a very opened ended question but I always feel like it is taking to long or I am going to slow. For example, I'll try playing it for like 3 days or so, maybe 30 minutes to an hour a day then give up. Am I expecting too much of myself??

[ViOLATiON]

I think it all depends on how you attack things when you first begin playing. Whether you want to just play other peoples songs, make your own, etc.

[Dekayz200]

I guess the question is how well do you want to "learn" a song.

Did you want know the song well enough to play without sheetmusic in front of you? Or without backing tracks...etc. Or just so that you could follow along fairly well?


I was reading somewhere else (can't remember now where), but an artist was discussing this same issue.

He wrote that when he learns a new song he'll play it like 100 times a day for a couple of weeks or so before even thinking about performing it.

I think trying to learn a new song in as little time as 1 1/2 to 3 hours (based on your half hour to an hour per day for 3 days) is asking WAY too much of yourself. You may get the chord progressions down for the intro verse and chorus, but probably not the bridge/solo yet or how the entire song all fits together. And you definitely wouldn't have it down pat yet.

Give yourself some time and a little patience.

[ZampraZ]

I dont know, i also only know like 1 song through, but i usually just tab things out myself and improvise it and itll sound great

[Jennings]

I keep a folder of the songs that I can play all the way through. I have about 10 so far.I practice them regularly to stay 'on top' of them. I also have the midi files of each of them, so I can play along with the band.

[Scorpaeon]

There are 3 main factors.

The difficulty of the song.
Your guitar playing ability.
How dedicated you are to learning it (your motivation and practice time).

Considering these 3 factors, its obvious that your learning time will vary with the song. The more experience you get with each of those factors the less time overall it will take to learn new songs.

I use to have the same problem. So I made a "dream set list", a list of all the songs I wish I could play. I tackle the easy ones first, and if it becomes to difficult, or I get bored with it I move on to another one. But eventualy I allways come back. Sometimes if you just leave a song alone for a few months and gain some experience and skill, you will come back to it and it will be much easier.

Also if all you are doing is "learning songs", and neglecting practicing skills (I fell into that rut before). Then you should consider changing your practice routine. IOW, pracitice new chords, scales, picking, and struming exercises, learn some theory, etc. Believe it or not, all these things are weapons in your arsonal when it comes to learning new songs.

Above all stay motivated and keep practicing, and don't try to over achieve. I think you are a "normal" guitarist with less than 2 years experience.

[Tingly]

"I just get bored of it halfway through because I think I'm learning it to slow and start something else"

Don't feel bad! That is VERY COMMON! Try to develop the ability to keep working on a musical piece, over a period of time. It will help A LOT! In other words, learn part of a song, and then go back to it, and keep working on it, until you can at least "get through it." The musicians in the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd did not learn their songs in an hour. They kept working on them. It takes the same determination you must have displayed when you learned to make chords. No one successfully learns to make chords in one practice session. You have to come back to the skill, and re-visit it, until you get smooth. Well, that's the same thing you need to do with learning complete songs. (Not that you wanna impress anyone, but that's the surest way to impress people that you know what you are doing - play a complete piece.)

Not, get this -- you will almost never be completely happy with how the song turns out! Even after you CAN play it all the way through, you will still want to improve it, and get it better, and try different stuff. It's a continuous process, called "art." It's wonderful, creative and is NOT EASY, which is why not everyone can do it.

"I keep a folder of the songs that I can play all the way through." - Excellent idea!!

Keep trying!

[projectvoid]

Thanks for your advise everyone. I'm just going to suck it up and start completing songs regardless of how long it takes. I'm getting tired of knowing bits and pieces but never getting anywhere. In my opinion it also affect me when I'm trying to write my own material because I just know the catchy riffs and none of the stuff that goes inbetween. Not to mention like Tingly was saying about impressing people. When someone (especially women! :) ) says "omg play something on your guitar!" and I play like 3 riffs and I'm like yep that's all I know, I feel sort of embarassed considering how long I've been playing. Hah, I think another problem is a while back I was picking some pretty hard songs, atleast in my opinion... really fast stuff from bands like In Flames, Lamb of God and Children of Bodom. Well, like I said from now on I'm going to only play ONE song at a time the whole way through no matter how long it takes. And I'd have to agree with the idea to keep a folder with all the songs that you can play in it. Oh I also found this site that has some great information on the mental process of learning a song. CLICK HERE (http://www.eltjohaselhoff.com/how_to_learn_new_songs.htm)

[anthony2]

Learn song structure. A lot of times a progression of chords will repeat in a song. Take a look at any piece of sheet music. Doesn't matter whether you know how to read the music or not, just take a look at the lyrics. Do you see how the verses are often repeated over the same music.

Here's some examples.

Bob Dylan C,Dm,Em,F,G,F (repeat)

Semisonic G,Am,C,D (repeat)

Jewel Cadd9,G/B,C,Em,Cadd9,G/B,C,D (repeat)

Cannon in D D,A,Bm,F#m,G,D,G,A (repeat over and over)

Just some examples, but even if you're not fond of these examples, just take a look at just about any song and you will see that parts of the music simply repeat.

Anthony

[Funkynassau]

I have less experience than you do, so far be it for me to tell you what to do or how to do it! For myself I practice over and over the song my teacher and I are working on, til I have had enough of it for one day, then I switch to something else and work on that for a while. I have a collection of songs in my book and I work my way thru them and do some scales too. I try to practice for 60-90 mins a day. Now I dont always get in that much time, and sometimes I do more.

I'm working on Tequila Sunrise with my teacher and it's coming along. I am getting way better at Bm simply from working at it. My B is still pretty crappy. But the progress is there - yay! Now my teacher is suggesting we work on Brain Damage by Pink Floyd, so I got the lyrics and chords to it and am starting to work on it.

I find variety is what I need, I work on a song for as long as it's fun and I feel good about it then I switch to something else to keep up the momentum and get in the practice that I need.
Funkynassau :D