Play a song badly or not at all?

[Erlend_G]

BADLY!!

Poor music, is better than no music, IMHO .

-E ♪

[solspirit]

Might as well getting stuck in 12-bar blues for that matter. I think he needs to first get comfortable being uncomfortable, in order to improve.

What a help you are

[Gtrjunior]

I said "If needed". YMMV.

Just sayin’

[Aceman]

By the way - also consider this...

Playing it exactly the same (Technique and note choice) is one way to look at it.
- I saw Night Ranger play "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and the guitar player played it exactly as Jeff Watson would. It was meh.
- I have seen numerous bands tap the same notes out play in different positions. Sounded great.

Playing the same notes anyway you can is sometimes an option
- Assuming the technique doesn't matter. It usually doesn't. Usually.
- Eruption isn't gonna fly without tapping.

Playing something else well is also an option.
- There are a lot of things that playing something else will be just fine. Just play it in key, in time, and perhaps rhythmically similar.
- Randy Rhoads varied what he played A LOT live.
- Lynch never really plays his recorded solos as on record

There are some things you shouldn't ever mess with pitch or rhythm
- Intro to Johnny Be Goode...every note, as played, no excuses.

Playing something Bad, whether exactly as originally played, the same notes played, or something, "in the style of" or even totally different is never an option.

[devastone]

I agree with Ace, I think... Work out something that sounds good that you can play, but you can also have a goal of working up to playing the real thing. As he mentioned, if you work out a part, it needs to be in the right key, rhythmically similar if possible, at least in time, even if half the speed. I would often throw a scalar run where the string skipping part is in the end, mostly because I was lazy and didn't spend the time to figure it out note for note. If we bring the song back, I may, or may not, invest the time to learn it...

[Gtrjunior]

By the way - also consider this...

Playing it exactly the same (Technique and note choice) is one way to look at it.
- I saw Night Ranger play "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and the guitar player played it exactly as Jeff Watson would. It was meh.
- I have seen numerous bands tap the same notes out play in different positions. Sounded great.

Playing the same notes anyway you can is sometimes an option
- Assuming the technique doesn't matter. It usually doesn't. Usually.
- Eruption isn't gonna fly without tapping.

Playing something else well is also an option.
- There are a lot of things that playing something else will be just fine. Just play it in key, in time, and perhaps rhythmically similar.
- Randy Rhoads varied what he played A LOT live.
- Lynch never really plays his recorded solos as on record

There are some things you shouldn't ever mess with pitch or rhythm
- Intro to Johnny Be Goode...every note, as played, no excuses.

Playing something Bad, whether exactly as originally played, the same notes played, or something, "in the style of" or even totally different is never an option.

This is generally my outlook as well.

[Aceman]

As he mentioned, if you work out a part, it needs to be in the right key, rhythmically similar if possible, at least in time, even if half the speed.

Randy Rhoads often played the run at the end of the solo in Crazy Train at half speed / half the notes. IUt sounds like he picked up the lick somewhere in the middle of the run. Probably the second octave on. The recorded one is a blaze of hammer ons.

Here is the studio: 2:50

But listen to this: 1:17

[Bogner]

I would work it in sections and learn as much as I could that way. The parts that are more difficult I would hit the key notes in their proper place and play less and let it breathe. Hold the notes, bend them, shake them nicely, it could really open things up and allow things to breathe. Anytime you can throw a volume swell in there could be nice as well. Htting the key notes and utilizing various dynamics can go a long way.

[Mincer]

Or, just select a 23 second reverb on a Big Sky and hit any notes you want.

[Aceman]

Or, just select a 23 second reverb on a Big Sky and hit any notes you want.

Ouch! Saucy Dave, saucy indeed!!!

[Securb]

Warren Haynes complained that he would have to play One Way Out note for notes as the Filmore recording even though Duane played it differently every night. Hit the recognizable licks that is all you need to do.

[Mincer]

Warren Haynes complained that he would have to play One Way Out note for notes as the Filmore recording even though Duane played it differently every night. Hit the recognizable licks that is all you need to do.

Yeah, you don't tell a player like that to hold back. Same with Jimmy Herring. They went on to better pastures.

[NegativeEase]

Or, just select a 23 second reverb on a Big Sky and hit any notes you want.

Well. since you opened this line of thinking..... how about a giant feedback swell with some serious rock moves with your back to the audience...

[playas]

I agree with what seems to be the consensus here.
Work out something that is easier to play, sounds good and fits into the song well. Doesn't have to be complex.

If you want to learn the actual part note for note, plan on doing it longer term.
Practice way slower than actual speed, to a metronome where you can play it comfortably and accurately. When you are consistently and reliably getting it spot on repeatedly, speed up bit by bit (don't rush this).

I find this guy a little annoying, for some reason I can't quite put my finger on, but he has some very useful advice nevertheless:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtPjrZCPEmYQBjn7juSCl2A

[LLL]

Well. since you opened this line of thinking..... how about a giant feedback swell with some serious rock moves with your back to the audience...

Not dramatic enough.