248 - How To Learn Songs on Guitar: Simple System for Learning, Memorizing, and Improving

In this week’s episode, Paul Andrews addresses a common challenge among beginner guitarists: learning and actually remembering songs.

Paul shares a structured approach to not just learning new songs but maintaining and improving them over time.

Whether you’re struggling to recall previously learned tunes or looking to build a solid repertoire, this episode offers practical tips and actionable steps to level up your song practice routine.

Key Topics Covered

Community Update:

• Paul announces a live Zoom Q&A taking place on Sunday, 31st August at 9 pm GMT for Beginner Guitar Academy members. He details how to join, submit questions, and access the recorded session if you can’t attend live.

Practicing Songs vs. Practicing Skills:

• Songs are a collection of different skills (chords, rhythms, techniques).
• Key tip: Break songs down into their skill components to assess if they’re suitable for your current level.
• Avoid picking songs that are too far above your ability; focus on skills first, then songs.

A System for Learning Songs Efficiently:

Step One: Pick the Right Song:

• Choose a song that aligns with your current skillset.
• Listen to the original, identify sections (intro, verse, chorus), and loop those sections in practice.
• Start with simplified versions and play the song slowly. Only increase tempo as you gain confidence.

Step 2: The 3 Ps System for Maintaining Songs:

1. Practice – For new or challenging songs/sections. Loop and break down tricky parts.
2. Playthrough – For songs you can mostly play but need to keep fresh.
3. Perform – For songs you know inside out; these are gig-ready or can be played start to finish confidently.

• Rotate songs between these categories as your abilities improve.

Step 3 - Balancing New Songs and Old Songs (The 50/50 Rule):

• Don’t just chase new songs or only maintain old ones. Spend half your practice on new material and half on revisiting and maintaining what you already know.

Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them):

1. Always starting at the beginning of a tune.
2. Not listening to the original recording.
3. Neglecting old songs.
4. Not keeping a song log.
5. Collecting snippets instead of completing full songs.
6. Practicing without a clear goal.

Action Plan for This Week:

1. Make a list of every song you can (or almost can) play.
2. Categorize each into Practice, Playthrough, or Perform.
3. Schedule a setlist run-through (like a mini gig at home).
4. Add a new, suitable song to your practice pile, balance new and old (50/50).
5. Track your song practice and progress.

Takeaways

• Focus on skill-appropriate songs, break them down, and use a structured maintenance method to truly own your repertoire.
• Rotate between learning new material and refreshing old songs to keep your playing both exciting and reliable.
• Set clear intentions with every song practice session to avoid getting stuck or demotivated.
• Celebrate your progress as songs move from “Practice” to “Playthrough” and finally “Perform”.

Resources Mentioned

• Beginner Guitar Academy: Join for a structured, supportive approach to learning, with access to live Q&As, workshops, a song library, and two weeks of access for just $1.

Next Steps:

Ready to make progress with your song repertoire? Follow Paul’s five-step plan this week and start building a song list you can truly play and enjoy!

Don’t Forget:

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or review, subscribe for future episodes, and check your email for details about the upcoming live Q&A.

Stay Tuned:

New episodes drop every Friday with actionable tips to help you become a better guitarist. Until next week, keep practicing and have fun!