https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:48:58 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-149575 Fri, 06 Jan 2006 04:02:05 +0000
Alan has the secret. Follow the bass.

Bass players are famous for mostly playing the Root note and 5th of a chord. So, just by copying the bass, you will have a pretty good idea what the chord progression is.

Some other tricks:

1) Usually (but not always) the first chord is the key the song is in.

2) Once you figure the key out, most songs will have the major chords and or the relative minor chords.

For instance, in the key of G, the Major chords are G (root), C (the 4th), and D (the 5th). The relative Minor chords in G are E minor, A minor, and B minor or B7.

So, if you know a song is in G, then try C, D, Em, Am, Bm or B7 by ear. Again, follow the bass. In probably 90% of songs, these chords will cover any chords used in the song. There are exceptions. But generally, this is a very good rule to use to figure out most songs.

The bass. Follow the bass. :D]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-149575 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-149233 Thu, 05 Jan 2006 02:50:25 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion undercat https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-149233 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-149089 Wed, 04 Jan 2006 13:24:11 +0000

A :-)]]> Guitar Players Discussion Alan Green https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-149089 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-149066 Wed, 04 Jan 2006 07:01:06 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion nolongerme https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-149066 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148933 Tue, 03 Jan 2006 23:24:30 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion fiskep https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148933 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148225 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 06:56:51 +0000
Best,


A :-)
how do you do that?

just recently I have stumbled on some songs, but it was purely accident :? :?]]> Guitar Players Discussion nolongerme https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148225 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148182 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 02:31:30 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion ModestCargo https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148182 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148180 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 02:23:32 +0000
Best,


A :-)]]> Guitar Players Discussion Alan Green https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148180 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148164 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 01:29:53 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion andrewlubinus89 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148164 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148163 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 01:28:25 +0000
https://www.guitarnoise.com/article.php?id=7

The next two columns after this one continue along the same subject lines:

https://www.guitarnoise.com/article.php?id=8

https://www.guitarnoise.com/article.php?id=9

I'm working on an expanded ear training piece (or pieces) that will hopefully be online before the next month finishes.

Hope this helps and Happy New Year.

Peace]]> Guitar Players Discussion David Hodge https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/figuring-out-a-song/#post-148163