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LiveSimply · 07-03-2012, 06:46 PM

I first started guitar by purchasing a classical method book and learning to read standard notation on a classical guitar. This entailed learning the exercises and songs by "counting out the rhythm". So, for example, two quarter notes would be counted as "1- 2", each number coming on top of the beat. Four eighth notes would be counted as "one-and-two-and", etc...

In learning new tunes on the electric, I tend to revert to this way of learning a new song. I purchase the standard notation/tab songs and kind of work my way through it by "counting it out". I supplement that by also hearing the tune and trying to play along, but the basis of most of my practice is "counting it out".

I recently took a couple of lessons with an instructor who primarily focuses in teaching the blues. He told me that in all the years teaching he has never had a guy learn the blues tunes in that manner.

He basically said forget the notation, put on the CD and cop what I hearing.

I sort of find that being able to work out the rhythm without necessarily having to hear the song is helpful.

Any of you guys do this as well, or do you guys strictly get the tab, hear the song and figure out the rhythm by ear?

07-03-2012, 06:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
LiveSimply Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 512 Thanks: 5 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	Counting out the Rhythm I first started guitar by purchasing a classical method book and learning to read standard notation on a classical guitar. This entailed learning the exercises and songs by "counting out the rhythm". So, for example, two quarter notes would be counted as "1- 2", each number coming on top of the beat. Four eighth notes would be counted as "one-and-two-and", etc... In learning new tunes on the electric, I tend to revert to this way of learning a new song. I purchase the standard notation/tab songs and kind of work my way through it by "counting it out". I supplement that by also hearing the tune and trying to play along, but the basis of most of my practice is "counting it out". I recently took a couple of lessons with an instructor who primarily focuses in teaching the blues. He told me that in all the years teaching he has never had a guy learn the blues tunes in that manner. He basically said forget the notation, put on the CD and cop what I hearing. I sort of find that being able to work out the rhythm without necessarily having to hear the song is helpful. Any of you guys do this as well, or do you guys strictly get the tab, hear the song and figure out the rhythm by ear?