Learning New Songs

General

On this page, I am talking about playing a lead guitar, not rhythm guitar.  Learning to play chords is a different task all together, and there are many books and videos available on this subject!

A lot of people ask me for tips on how to learn to play lead guitar, and how to learn to play new tunes. 

Many of these people are older people, many having retired, are looking for a hobby, to entertain themselves now their working days are over.

In my book, it's never too late to learn a new hobby, and I believe playing guitar is an ideal choice

I am not a guitar teacher, I can't read music, and I can't teach you how to play guitar. However, I am able to give you a few tips on how I go about learning to play a tune, and hopefully get you started!. You may find this useful.

Learning a new Tune by Ear

Before you begin, make sure your guitar is in tune EVERY TIME YOU START A SESSION.  An out of tune guitar ruins everything!

The first thing I do is choose the tune you wish to play. Choose a slow love song. You can choose faster songs as you improve. Ideally, it should be a song you already know well, as the first stage is to get the tune firmly established in your head. This means that your version will always be your interpretation of the song, as people hear songs differently.

Learn a Phrase

Once the tune is learned in your head, choose the first phrase of 3 or 4 notes. Now take the first note in the phrase, and find that note on the guitar.  Try to find it in the middle of the fretboard, ideally around the 5th fret and on the middle two strings.  Move up or down the frets or across the strings until to find and match that note.

Now take the second note of the phrase, and find that note on the strings. You can find that note in multiple places, but the ideal place is the nearest physical position to the first note, whether that is on the same, or a different string. This is so your fingers move the shortest distance when the notes change. Now practice those notes together.

Now repeat this process for the other notes in the phrase. Now practice the phrase until it is fluid.

Again, repeat the process for the whole tune.

Using Backing Tracks

Once you have a good idea of how the tune goes, it is a great advantage to play with a backing track. This shows you the pace and rhythm of the tune and helps you learn to keep up with the song.

I use a program called Audacity, which is completely free. It allows multi tracking, and  you can play the backing and record your lead to it at the same time. Don't try to play faster than you are able. If the BT is too fast for you,  a program like Audacity can slow it down for you. You can speed it up as you improve. 

Your Style

Many of us have our Guitar Heroes.  They use various guitar types, string sizes and styles and effects. However, don't get hooked up on emulating them. Your own style and preferences will emerge.  Too heavy strings or guitars will hamper you.

You can spend the rest of your life searching for that "Hank Sound". Just find a sound you like and stick with it. Or do as I do and constantly fiddle! You only have yourself to please!

I enjoy the effect of the tremolo arm. I hold the plectrum between thumb and forefinger, making  a  circle. I allow the tremolo to float in that space so that movement in my hand will activate the tremolo arm. It has become my style!

What's Next

Once you are underway, take a look at my Recording Tutorials and my Recording Technique!