I am a visual learner and learn the fastest when I see someone else do it, then I understand and copy what I see. I learned a LOT of guitar licks that way. When I learned the guitar, in the "Way back machine" it was by playing songs I knew every bit of in my head already. Mostly it was The BEATLES, a perfect band for learning basic guitar. I had heard the songs so many times they were already in me, I just had to get them out. There was a songbook called The Golden Beatles. I have not seen a copy in decades, now there is the Complete Beatles. I learned to play chords then used the book to learn the songs, I already knew the rhythm, so it wasn't hard.
Learning riffs and licks, that is where watching another player really helps me. I suppose that would work with any instrument that you have a basic understanding and skillset with.
Pre tape, well pre cassette tape, we learned a lot of songs sitting with a turntable and a record and replaying a part over and over.
I think Youtube is your friend.
 
I once could sight read music and sing anything you put in front of me. I was a voice major but life took a turn. I suppose I could get it back but I am happy where I am. TABS have never done anything for me, I don't have the patience for them and they are hard for me to understand, my mind doesn't seem to work that way.
edit> Example... I was just looking at what is on my DVR and there is 16 minutes of STYX: The Grand Illusion that was airing a few weeks ago on Palladia. I recorded the song Miss America so, when I get ready, I can watch it and see how to play the riffs correctly, I play them two different ways but I don't know how STYX does it... I will though.  I could play All Right Now by FREE but from YT I learned that, though what I was doing sounds good, it is not what Kossoff was playing. I think Guitarplayer online has video lessons but I have not used them. I did use TFU for a year or so but got tired of paying extra for everything. http://truefire.com/tfu.html I guess that is no help with a woodwind though.
J

Stupidly I never did music at School which is a big regret for me as I have a pretty limited music theory and can only read guitar tabs.

 
Dangars, Groove3 has a music theory video if you want the basics on the cheap. http://www.groove3.com/str/music-theory-explained.html
 
They have a "music theory" catagory with some other vids too.
 
J

Will have to check that out, cheers jbow.

Many hours of practice, having a natural talent and a lot of dedication helps, for example,  

When I was teaching piano in the 1980's there was this one student who's heart was not into learning music and did not show much progress whereas his sister at age 10 was a natural and loves playing music and showed incredible progress (already advanced; final year) much like other students. 

And because of their love and wanting to learn they never failed to consistently do all their homework without fail. I got a lot of praise for that but I always told their parents it's because they are dedicated. 

Funny, I found that to be true with musicians in bands as sometimes you find the odd one who simply prefers to put other priorities such as; sports ahead of music and having a show coming up did not seem to change their attitude. Point is; all it takes is one loose cog in the chain to let the rest of the band down.

Other problems I found was for example; a drummer who could not get his mind off the girls in the band, he was always flirting with them. I got too many complaints from the girls and saw first-hand (for example; he deliberately enter their changing room.)  I had find a replacement.  Another drummer (aged 19) got a 14 year old pregnant, he had to go. 

Yet another problem, a guitarist who simply did not have the time to get his performances down pat due to having more dedication to sports and his self-employed floor coverings business. He was always showing up late with the same old excuse. Sorry, I run a tight ship like I said; all it takes is one loose cog in the chain to spoil it for the rest of the band. 

I spent all my entire life totally dedicated to music, spent school lunch breaks in the music room and did what ever it took to avoid sports and social events. I hardly had much of a social life and still prefer to work on music rather than hang out at the tavern with friends.  My wife is much the same as I.  

But there's another cost to all this, the risk of burn-out having to juggle long days along with working at night till early hours of the morning.  Sleep, was is that?... (that's what I would always say)!!  The other cost is technology; some musicians can be very prejudice and jealous, saying the most ridiculous things. Funny, I never got that response until I decided to change my music direction to from Classic Rock to Pop. 

Beagle

craigb

Moshkiae


Hi,

Question for CraigB ...

"I play teaspoons in EVERY single album I have!" (And I'm pretty sure I took no lessons on them!)

Who am I?

The coke-fiend producer?

Someone who doesn't play an instrument but knows how to learn one and give advice on it?

You're both incorrect so far ... in fact this guy plays almost all of the instruments ... so your music theory is not complete!

Moshkiae

Beagle

craigb

Moshkiae


Hi,

Question for CraigB ...

"I play teaspoons in EVERY single album I have!" (And I'm pretty sure I took no lessons on them!)

Who am I?

The coke-fiend producer?

Someone who doesn't play an instrument but knows how to learn one and give advice on it?

You're both incorrect so far ... in fact this guy plays almost all of the instruments ... so your music theory is not complete!

it's almost like Sheldon....8 for 28!!!