Learning lead lines if music isn't available
 

I've decided it's time to kick up the skill set so I've undertaken the task of "learning the fretboard". The text suggests finding a song with a great lead line and working through it.

Okay, but how do you do this if you really like something that wasn't published? What do the professionals do?

I hate to be an idiot (but my kids say I'm great at it :D ) but figured after 35 years I should know how to do this properly.

The great thing about digital music is that you can slow it down it keep the pitch. I suggest, get some software (it's very inexpensive) and start transcribing.

Bern's got the right idea there... I've used "The Amazing Slowdowner" in the past and it works pretty well http://www.ronimusic.com/ It comes in both Mac and PC flavors

I've also heard that there's a free plugin for WinAmp that will do the same thing.

Finale?
 

Thanks. I wasn't aware of products like these. I have a Boomerang that will do a 50% reduction in speed while maintaining proper pitch.

Accurate Midi to music notation software still seems to be science fiction. Anyone used a product that transcribes automatically? And works?

"I'm sorry, Dave, but I'm afraid I can't open the pod bay doors for you." :roll:

I've been using Overture by Genie Soft. I like it very much. Also, you could use BIAB, which is also very good. I know Jim Tozier uses Finale, which he likes. I suggest, download demos and find out for yourself which program will fit your needs.

+1
I use a similar product; I think Garage Band will do this also (if you have a Mac). Also, Tascam makes a CD player that will do the same thing.

Most of these will either slow down without changing pitch, or transpose keys without changing tempo.

Scott

Any software that can import wav or MP3 and generate standard music notation?

Frankly, I don't use any of that stuff. When I got started (and yes, dinos DID roam the earth) we didn't have that poop. You could half-speed a record (and banjo players did) but I didn't think of that. Instead, I and most successful pop, rock, and folk musicians, trained ourselves to memorize tunes in detail and learned to play them back in our own little minds without a tape, even slowed down. Virtual memorization and recall of this sort is a wonderful thing. I'm not sure you'll ever be intimately familiar with a piece without it.

With it, you can begin breaking down a piece of music as you lie in bed, for instance, which I've done. Stuck waiting for a ride or a client? Playback a piece and analyze how the parts fit together. It works really well for
polyphony and Barogue counterpoint with all the passing tones.

Bob

Larry & Bob,
I'm kind of surprised by your responses. Today, we have so many wonderful aids to assist us in making music. Why would you put a slant on this technology ? Hmm... Slowing down music with available software, IMO, is a wonderful tool. It actually give you opportunity to play things you might have ordinarily missed.
It surely beats scratching up the old vinyls. :)

Just guessing, but the old way might also make you a better musician. I sort of like some of each. Nothing like the Slowdowner to dissect a very odd strum pattern that I can't get any other way. On the other hand, hearing a 2m chord without seeing the music is rather useful in a pinch.

Larry, we're thinking in opposite directions here (it wouldn't be the first time :) ). The slowdown software is a great tool for studying different performers and their approaches to improvisation and technique. I'm not suggesting to merely use it for the sake of copying somebody, but to learn with the aid of it. For example, I don't know if you ever have gotten into analyzing any jazz performances by some of the legendary players (not only guitar), because the different improvisational approaches to the same tunes are quite interesting and a learning experience. The bottom line is it makes easier and you'll waste less time.

Put a slant? No. Technology is largely neutral. I just think there are some things in life that come better the hard way. Memory manipulation is definitely one of those. Altzheimer's research people will tell you that your brain needs to be exercised like your muscles. The yield of the method is an ability to stream in stuff and analyze it rather quickly.

There are results to every method you use. Low tech has a steep learning curve but leaves you with onboard tools. High-tech gets you the results quickly but often leaves you with no onboard tools. As a recording engineer and a teacher of engineers I find this to be true. Those who have been forced to do it in the analog world with no visualisations and with all sorts of signal-matching impediments, and have excelled in that environment, end up with a stronger intuitive grasp of audio than those who grow up in the workstation world. Funny but true. Adversity truly appears to breed strength.

Bob