Re: Breaking the TAB habit
Originally Posted by
hatta
What if you can't do that? I have sat with recordings for hours, plinking at the mandolin trying to find the same note.
Just yesterday, I decided I was going to learn something simple and iconic. A song that's firmly in my head, and once I say it will be in yours too. The Meow Mix song.
I found a video of the commercial and set at it. I got nowhere. Is that first note an F# or a G? Can't tell. The second measure, is it the same or higher than the first? Can't tell. Tried both, neither sounds wrong.
I'm not bad at recognizing music either. When I see a band I know well, I'm pretty quick to pick up on what song they're playing. When I listen to a live recording, I'll hear a fiddle tune, identify it, and be right most of the time when I check the setlist. I can actually hear, I just can't match what I'm playing to what I'm hearing.
How do you train this skill? Practice, yes. But how do I practice in a way that I get somewhere, and not just reinforce how bad I am at this?
There are music teachers who specialize in this process: ear training. I used to be one of them. This is the sort of learning that's difficult to do on your own, and much easier with someone who can analyze the problems you're having, help to identify solutions, and build a productive practice routine. You can often find classes like this in your local community college or adult education center.
Exploring Classical Mandolin (Berklee Press, 2015)
Progressive Melodies for Mandocello (KDP, 2019) (2nd ed. 2022)
New Solos for Classical Mandolin (Hal Leonard Press, 2020)
2021 guest artist, mandocello: Classical Mandolin Society of America
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