First I look at the text/music/tab/whatever and get the chords down - strumming, switching, transitions, etc. I don't worry too much about words yet. Then I go thru either a recording or other, nad listen to how the song flows and transits between verses, breaks, lead, etc. Usually takes me around 3,000 plays or so.
Then I practice, with lyrics, vocal tone, etc --- stopping/slowing for more technical parts until I get a good package. another 5,000 times through the tune.
Then, after playing it different ways (fingers/picks/both, neck positions, etc) I try to come up with "my version".
Then I play it about 12,000,000 times or so to burn it in so I won't forget it under stress.
....my numbers may be a little off... maybe it just seems like 12,000,000.
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