Best way to learn covers fast

[Nathan Scott]

Hey there fellow drummers, so I have a second audition with a band that has given me a list of about 10 covers designed to test my skills, primarily my ability to keep in the pocket and not speed up. I have a couple of days to do this, and I’d like to know from you all what your tips would be to do this successfully. I don’t read music. I have a very good ear but I tend to speed up and I want to break that habit. Appreciate all your input. Thanks

 

[trynberg]

Well, there are two completely separate issues here:
1) how do you quickly learn covers?
2) how to break the habit of speeding up?

For quickly learning covers, you want to get the key beats for each song and then any special features, like stops. Don't worry about learning fills lick for lick unless it is some huge iconic fill. The band wants to hear you play in the pocket, so focus on that.

You aren't going to learn how to break the habit of speeding up in a day or two. Playing along with the covers and then playing along with a metronome at different dynamic levels is how I work on fighting that bad habit.

 

[mebeatee]

First off...at least you are aware of your “dilemma”....kudos for that........as well as what trynberg said...... I am also assuming you have a good understanding of song structure.....
I will also add......breathe, and be very aware of how to breathe “in tempo”.
Have fun!!!!!
bt

 

[drums1225]

I'll address the time issue first, because no matter how well you know the songs, speeding up is usually a dealbreaker.

Speeding up comes partially from not knowing how to control your emotions when you play. Excitement (or boredom) shouldn't affect your tempo. Turn that excitement into a sharper focus on the pulse and a mindfulness that your tendency is to speed up. You can't play the way you currently play and expect anything to change. Playing in time without speeding up will feel different in your body and mind. Embrace the differences, and know they're part of a necessary recalibration.

It largely comes down to awareness, in the moment. IMO, there's no better way to improve your time than to play along with recordings and metronome work. Perhaps in that order, depending on what you're working on.

Playing good, consistent time requires a strong internal clock, a relaxed inner confidence, and technique that allows you to remain physically relaxed. Good luck.

In terms of learning tunes without knowing how to read or write music, listen to the songs over and over and over until you can't stand it. While listening, it's very helpful to jot down some reminders for each tune. "Verse 16 bars, chorus 8 bars".
Write a form chart: "intro/verse/chorus/v2/c2/solo/v3/c3/ending - "two hits at the end", "big tom fill coming out of solo", and stuff like that. I write detailed charts for new material I need to learn, largely in english but with enough notation for me to nail parts when I need to play the exact grooves or figures.

Unfortunately, there's no quick fix, but my recommendations will yield results over time.

 

[langmick]

Knowing how to confidently play the beginning of a song gets you close. Ask what they like for a count off and any special sections or ends. Read the lyrics. Sing thr lyrics sp you know how the vocalist needs the time. Hum it to yourself.

 

[paul]

When I started playing again 25 years ago I got a Beat Bug, which I found more useful than a metronome because it could tell me not how fast to play, but rather how fast I was actually playing, so I always knew when I was speeding up (or slowing down!). I started using it in rehearsals as well. It was great for settlling arguments over tempos and whether they were changing, too fast, etc.

The BB is alas, no more, but there are other devices (I think) that can be used the same way. Six months in a country band using it every night did a great job of helping me stabilize my time, to the point where a couple of years ago a sax player commented that whatever tempo the band started with, that's where we'd end up, and gave me the bulk of the credit.

 

[audiochurch]

Write out charts. I had to learn 35 new rock tunes in 5 days for a sub job. No rehearsal. Brought my own charts and it went great! Here is one tune from that night:

 

[RogersLudwig]

Write out charts. I had to learn 35 new rock tunes in 5 days for a sub job. No rehearsal. Brought my own charts and it went great! Here is one tune from that night:

I agree. Make charts. Whatever style or format you choose, charts are a huge help, IMO. I usually get already printed charts for musicals and use colored highlighters to denote different sections, intro, chorus, verse, bridge, etc.

 

[hefty]

When I started playing again 25 years ago I got a Beat Bug, which I found more useful than a metronome because it could tell me not how fast to play, but rather how fast I was actually playing, so I always knew when I was speeding up (or slowing down!). I started using it in rehearsals as well. It was great for settlling arguments over tempos and whether they were changing, too fast, etc.

The BB is alas, no more, but there are other devices (I think) that can be used the same way. Six months in a country band using it every night did a great job of helping me stabilize my time, to the point where a couple of years ago a sax player commented that whatever tempo the band started with, that's where we'd end up, and gave me the bulk of the credit.

LiveBPM app for your phone. Gives you a "speedometer" of your tempo so if you bump up a BPM or two you can cap it there or even gently bring it back down. It also plots a graph that can settle arguments if people think you were speeding up when you weren't.

 

[Tornado]

Hey there fellow drummers, so I have a second audition with a band that has given me a list of about 10 covers designed to test my skills, primarily my ability to keep in the pocket and not speed up. I have a couple of days to do this, and I’d like to know from you all what your tips would be to do this successfully. I don’t read music. I have a very good ear but I tend to speed up and I want to break that habit. Appreciate all your input. Thanks

I would be fun to know what the 10 songs are.

Since you only have a couple of days, and they are primarily concerned with your pocket, keep it simple and focus on your pocket!

 

[GiveMeYourSmallestSticks!]

I don't read or write music, but play in a cover band and tend to focus most on structure. Beats are usually easy enough to learn, but knowing the number of bars and the song structure can make or break a cover. As others have said, I wouldn't obsess over duplicating every fill to a T, but knowing the structure and any idiosyncrasies related to it are crucial. I tend to listen a lot, record my practicing and listen to that as well to synthesize everything. Good luck and have fun!

 

[piccupstix]

I'll address the time issue first, because no matter how well you know the songs, speeding up is usually a dealbreaker.

Speeding up comes partially from not knowing how to control your emotions when you play. Excitement (or boredom) shouldn't affect your tempo. Turn that excitement into a sharper focus on the pulse and a mindfulness that your tendency is to speed up. You can't play the way you currently play and expect anything to change. Playing in time without speeding up will feel different in your body and mind. Embrace the differences, and know they're part of a necessary recalibration.

It largely comes down to awareness, in the moment. IMO, there's no better way to improve your time than to play along with recordings and metronome work. Perhaps in that order, depending on what you're working on.

Playing good, consistent time requires a strong internal clock, a relaxed inner confidence, and technique that allows you to remain physically relaxed. Good luck.

In terms of learning tunes without knowing how to read or write music, listen to the songs over and over and over until you can't stand it. While listening, it's very helpful to jot down some reminders for each tune. "Verse 16 bars, chorus 8 bars".
Write a form chart: "intro/verse/chorus/v2/c2/solo/v3/c3/ending - "two hits at the end", "big tom fill coming out of solo", and stuff like that. I write detailed charts for new material I need to learn, largely in english but with enough notation for me to nail parts when I need to play the exact grooves or figures.

Unfortunately, there's no quick fix, but my recommendations will yield results over time.

Good post. And for what you see in bold - feed the ear worm and best of luck getting a good night's sleep :-/

 

[Trilock_Gurtu]

I generally write out cheat sheets that contain a breakdown of the following info.

1. Song arrangement,
2. Number of bars per section (other people might count the number of times a 'riff' or revolutions that happen vs bars, it's easier to count 4 'riffs' vs 16 bars, whatever works for you).
3. I'll write out or briefly describe each beat for each section. There's lots of ways to simplify this part, using creative jargon like "Back in Black beat", "train beat", etc. Some people prefer to actually notate the beat out, again, whatever works...no hard rules here. This is about getting through a lot of tunes, fast. As long as you understand it.
4. Highlight any special fills, stops, shots, tempo changes, etc.

Now, there's some variables (always is). Sometimes I won't chart out the number of bars/lengths of each section because either someone stated they'll cue me, or they want it open ended (and watch for the changes). I had that happen with this tune. I got this song just before the gig, so I listened to it in the parking lot, twice (never heard it before), did the quick and dirty chart, played it a few hours later, went fine.

There have been many a time I'll get a call to sub a few days before, they'll email over their song list and I'll know half of the tunes, so I'll have to chart out 20 songs. You can't learn 20 songs by ear, very well, in 48 hours (at least, I can't). I'll get 1-2 listens per tune to do each chart, that's it.

Ill say this: put all the info you need, in the most short and to-the-point way possible. You'll get a lot of advice and various systems that people use, but pick and choose what works best for you. Make sure you confirm what version of the song you're learning; OG album version? Live version? Redone version? Cover version? Just be sure, so you're not learning the wrong one. Those wires can get crossed. Final note: like everything, the more you do it, the better you'll get at it.

 

[Matched Gripper]

Hey there fellow drummers, so I have a second audition with a band that has given me a list of about 10 covers designed to test my skills, primarily my ability to keep in the pocket and not speed up. I have a couple of days to do this, and I’d like to know from you all what your tips would be to do this successfully. I don’t read music. I have a very good ear but I tend to speed up and I want to break that habit. Appreciate all your input. Thanks

With only a couple of days, IMO, the most efficient use of your time is to practice playing along to the songs you need to know as many times as you can, and to also listen to the songs without playing along. Break a leg!

 

[Squirrel Man]

Play them and when you're not playing them listen to them.

 

[Russian Dragon]

Hi Nathan! Welcome! (I see it's your first post.) I'm frequently faced with learning a bunch of songs in a short period, so I have a couple of suggestions.

Since you don't read music, I would make a simple "song map" in whatever code makes sense to you. It could be as simple as Intro: 6 Bars, Verse 16 Bars (fill), Chorus 8 Bars, etc. This kind of memory aid will alleviate some stress that comes from not being sure you're remembering correctly in the moment. Most drummers who don't read music actually do read enough to make themselves a cheat sheet. Pay particular attention to the transition parts of songs. You'll remember the chorus without a problem, but how many bars are between the chorus and the next verse? Is it the same each time? (It often isn't - arrangers will sneak in an extra bar before the last chorus, and THAT's where you'll sscrew up.) Those transitions are the tough parts to remember, so count them carefully, and come up with a memory code for yourself. (That's all reading music really is, after all.)

Since you say you tend to rush in certain situations, and you have limited time, I would identify the tricky bits, pay close attention to them, and play them over until they're comfortably under your hands. Don't waste time practicing the simple chorus 50 times. Play that 6-beat bit near the end that turns you around a few more times. You'll have a much better chance of staying relaxed on the day.

Your chart doesn't need to be complicated. For example, this is what I scratched down while listening to this song the first time. It's enough to guide me through it on stage tomorrow night, and it barely requires reading music. I'll probably perform it never having played it on a drumset.

 

[old_K_ride]

Write out charts. I had to learn 35 new rock tunes in 5 days for a sub job. No rehearsal. Brought my own charts and it went great! Here is one tune from that night:

I've done that a long time...last week I subbed on a blues rock cover band...they sent their song list of 30 tunes and I charted 22...I knew the others...unsolicited I was told that the band sounded better with me on drums by 2 people...not to brag but I've been told that before...smiley face.

 

[1988fxlr]

I like to print the lyrics out double spaced in the biggest font that will fit on one page and make my notes on that, including how many bars between verses/choruses etc.

I find the act of mapping it out that way helps me learn the song better, and it also makes sure you set up the vocalist and other instruments for what they are doing. If you set them up to play well, they’ll think you played well.

I think learning the lyrics is also helpful for rushing. A lot of songs feel good to play instrumentally at a variety of tempos, but sound right vocally in a more limited range

 

[Rich K.]

Print out the lyrics large enough to fill a full page. Listen to the song and make notes around each section. Do that twice before playing the song, then play along with the record with your "chart."

 

[frankmott]

All good advice.
All I can add is: If you have any kind of commute, listen in the car. Make a Spotify playlist or burn a disc. Whatever it takes. ALWAYS be playing along or listening.
It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway; Don't drink or get high at all during the audition, even if the other guys are. Tell them maybe later.