Discovery. Joy. Repitition.

Or, Songs I Can't Stop Playing Along To.

Fellow instrument-wielding Chewers, I propose a sister thread to the Guitarist Depository, wherein the art of learning songs is discussed. The satisfaction of mastering an old favourite is a precious feeling that deserves to be shared, as is the pleasant sense of surprise that can come from picking up a new release mid-listen.

Does the song then become a play along favourite for relaxation purposes or a cover at band practices? Does it make you think about something you're working on differently? Perhaps, open a door or two?

Caveat: this isn't about showing off. We all play at different levels, but the fact that we play at all - regardless of instrument - is what matters.

I'll start.

Last week, I learned the guitar parts for several songs from Hüsker Dü's Warehouse: Song and Stories. As much as I've enjoyed playing "Ice Cold Ice", "Standing In The Rain", and "She's a Woman (And Now He Is a Man)" though, I've probably played "Could You Be The One?" more than all of them combined over the last few days. I'm more of a rhythm player so the blend of uptempo chord progressions and neat riffs Bob Mould often employed directly appeals to me (it's the way I often approach songwriting.) I was also particularly delighted to pick up the solo, as lead parts aren't a strength of mine.

Thanks, Dan! I can well believe it with that track. I should also mention "Returning To The Fold", "Now We Can See", and "How We Fade" by the Thermals. I've played all of those (and more from them) copious times over the last few months.

A question I've asked myself time after time, often in guitar shops, whilst surrounded by exactly this breed of moron.

Far too often, I've encountered guitar players who openly condescend to anyone that doesn't share their "theory theory theory, play it as it's transcribed" views. They tend to think, in my experience, that everyone unlike them dismisses meticulousness and theoretical considerations out of hand. I've had my fair share of times playing with these often technically "superior" players who were either totally useless or disruptively bamboozled when taken off the sheet. Although this led to some very awkward auditions and rehearsals, it did teach me the valuable lesson that such self-professed "guitar/whatever geeks" are usually best handled with caution. They also tend to be insufferably smug, incapable of basic communication, and unable or/unwilling to write their own parts.

I definitely agree with the "some rote is better than nothing" part. I've never understood either extreme; everyone to fall into either camp is unnecessarily hindering themselves.

That's pure class. Congratulations!

Be forewarned, though: you may receive the odd P.M. request for a particularly tricky tab or two in future.

I recently gave the Misfits' Static Age and Walk Among some spins. It was great fun hearing so many songs ("Hybrid Moments", "Night of the Living Dead", "We Are 138", "Teenagers From Mars"...) that were amongst the first I ever learned on bass, before taking up guitar, too. It brought back a lot of fun memories of playing many of them in my first band and I was pleasantly surprised that I still remembered them. "Last Caress", in particular, remains an eminently playable track. Those earlier albums are fantastic for showing a fledgling rock bassist/guitarist some fundamentals done really well.

I've been having great fun over the last few days mucking around tabbing bits and pieces from Quarantine The Past, the new Pavement Best Of ("Date w/IKEA", especially.) It's the first time in a while when the guitar-to-bass tab ratio has been pretty even, too.

Been (bass) tabbing and playing along to "When We Two Parted" by the Afghan Whigs lately, as part of my Gentlemen listening marathon. It's so good.