LiveMusic Posted March 8, 2001 Share Posted March 8, 2001 What's the best way to learn lyrics? I can think of... 1. Just read them and memorize them in your mind as you would a poem. 2. Memorize them and recite them _in writing_ over and over. Reason I ask is because just reading lyrics from a fake book or lyrics sheet as you play the music doesn't work. I say this because some songs, I've played a thousand times and I still don't know the lyrics. Maybe because I never tried to learn them; I just was playing for enjoyment. What's the secret? Wow, say a 50 song repertoire... seems that is quite a formidable task. > > > [ Live! ] < < < Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted March 8, 2001 Share Posted March 8, 2001 HAHAHA!!! I'm not the guy to respond to this, well, maybe I am. Just call me the "Alzheimer Kid". I've seen famous people use music stands with lyric sheets...Michael Stipe, Gloria Estefan, etc. My opinion is if I need a prompt, it's better to have one than to stumble around like an idiot. I've forgotten lyrics to songs I've been singing for 25 years...just "out the window...the verse is gone". And, remember the "Concert for Bangladesh" where Ringo forgets the words to "It Don't Come Easy"...and one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions where Billy Joel and Paul McCartney sing "Let It Be" and Joel leads off with the wrong verse, and basically the whole thing goes out the window from there. Another plus of using a fake book is that you can perform new tunes quicker. Actually, you will find that you need the book less and less as time goes on, particularly if you're gigging a lot. The less you gig, the less you memorize. The more you gig, the more you'll find that sometimes just the first word of a line is enough to jog your memory. To that end, they make music stands that clip right on to your mic stand, so you don't have to have a huge Manhasset stand sitting right in front of you. But, if you're blind like me, you'll need larger print. Lyrics can be memorized. Whatever you feel the most comfortable with during a performance. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg music Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Quote: Posted by Tedster ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To that end, they make music stands that clip right on to your mic stand, so you don't have to have a huge Manhasset stand sitting right in front of you. But, if you're blind like me, you'll need larger print. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helloooo are you there? Ted I feel your pain here's another vote for us visualy challenged dudes... Gotta say on the whole I'm damn glad I don't have to look at the fretboard for the chords and I'm really relieved that I don't have to look at lyric sheets or me and the guys would be well and truly f******ed!! On the other hand and on a more serious tip, I find the best way of remembering lyrics is to do my own tunes and very few covers except those songs that have made an indellible impression on me. Cos if they're mine I won't forget anyway and if they're songs I love to bits ditto..... For some strange reason I never get asked to play for anyone where sheet music is concerned...... I wonder why? http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Simon ...remember there is absolutely no point in talking about someone behind their back unless they get to hear about it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Boy, Simon, I'm bad off. I even forget my own lyrics. Good part, if I do, no one else knows. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHAN Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 I have found that writing the lyrics out "by hand" has always been a big help for me. I can see the words I wrote in "my minds eye" http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/s/cwm/freak5.gif whatever the hell that means... Just my $0.03(Canadian) KHAN http://www.mp3.com/SurBigger So Many Drummers. So Little Time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 I tried that, but I write like a doctor. Too bad I'm not... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aframe9999 Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 I don't mind the music stand thing. I may not even look at it, but it's like my security blanket, crutch whatever. Sometimes, like was mentioned, all it takes is the first word, and your ok. Whatever you do, don't hand write any lyrics in red ink! Red stage lights and red ink don't go so well together...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK_dup2 Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Yeah I have found all the methods you guys have suggested to work very well. As Simon said (wait that has a certian ring http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Yo simon!!) try to play your own tunes because remembering someone elses lyrics is a gigantic pain in the ass. Especially if you are half familiar with the tune. I try to only play the tunes that really mean something to me. I also found if I play all of the set just on an acoustic with no one else its helps to reinforce the flow. Peace BK http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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