Main Forums => Technique & Playing => Topic started by: BlackDogJazz on March 01, 2010, 06:22:52 PM

Title: How long to learn a new piece ?
Post by: BlackDogJazz on March 01, 2010, 06:22:52 PM
When learning something new, how long will you work on a piece to get it down before it drives you crazy?   

I used the arrival of my first Larrivee a few weeks back to pick out something new and a little different for me.  I am trying to learn Tommy Emmanuel's Angelina and am just now starting to feel "almost" comfortable with the intro  :?.  I'm guessing that I've spent at least 10 hours on it so far but there is a long long way to go!  I am still excited about working to get through the whole piece, but getting a little frustrated with the slow pace of progress.  Any one else been there?

:donut :donut2 :coffee
:donut :donut2   
Title: Re: How long to learn a new piece ?
Post by: unclrob on March 01, 2010, 09:50:14 PM
I've have always said that you have to learn to hate a song before you make it yours.But I guess this isn't the answer your looking for.So I'll say about 20 time's.At this point again its time to have some of yourself.Even classical comp. are interpetid.
Title: Re: How long to learn a new piece ?
Post by: Mr_LV19E on March 02, 2010, 12:06:14 AM
It depends. If its a sing along it would depend on how many verses there are to learn, if it is instrumental you can spend all your time on the music.
Re the Tommy E tune, if you have to learn a new technique it is going to add to the learning curve. Once you pick up on more techniques you learn faster.
I find the more I play the faster I learn.
Title: Re: How long to learn a new piece ?
Post by: Oetomoepi on March 02, 2010, 03:33:01 AM
Usually one week to a month depending how much time I get to spend on my guitar with the earphone and youtube video in front of me. I always make it a point that I remember well the segment that I have learnt before moving to the next segment.
Don't be intimidated because the song segments repeat, so if you have learnt the first verse, the second verse with minor variations will happen in double quick time. I also try to make sure that I learnt a small segment at a time don't try to get it exactly the same way it is played, as long as it is close and the fingerings are about right, it is good enough for me. I used to get hanged up about getting it note for note and it was hindering my progress in learning the tunes. Funny thing is once you have got the whole tune down and keep playing it, those flawed areas will correct themselves, because your ears will tell you something isn't right, by having the whole song pat down help with the flow of the music and make it easier for you to fix the not so correct part.
Enjoy the journey.