Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Hello professor Tomo! Thanks for all the great lessons and wisdom that you share! I am wondering what you think about learning songs. Do you think that it is important to develop a large repertoire of cover songs? I know that tablature is a no-no for your students! So what do you think is the best way to learn songs? Ear training? Thanks Tomo!

The question was not directed at me but I think it's important to learn songs.
1) For your enjoyment
2) To develop your ear (try to learn them by ear, by slowing down videos etc, not with tabs; I think tabs could be used sparingly though let's be pragmatic)
3) To build up some repertoire and get inspired by licks/phrases/progressions etc

Best,

JB

Thanks JB that makes a lot of sense!

I agree. Songs tie many things together. For years I had played around on my own- just my own sounds. I was going to play at a party so I made a point to learn about 20 songs- at least the main parts to get by. It really helped. It forces you to pay attention to key, rhythm, timing, feel, etc. 10 songs can use the same 3 chords, in the same I, IV, V pattern and sound like 10 completely different songs. Songs are not a replacement for other ways of learning but compliment it.

Here is Tomo's comment:

"Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes, it is definitely important to learn songs. Start with simple songs, and learn them by ear. Then, learn more difficult songs with lead sheets (chord charts)."