One of the best things I ever learned to do was to create my own numbering charts. You can play a song in any key with those. They're fairly similar to Jazz charts but not as complicated.
Listen to the song and create a general map ... ie. Intro/Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Bridge/Chorus etc. It may be more or less complex than that. Pre-Chorus? Vamp? etc. Dont' worry about chords at this point, just structure.
Then listen again and try to block out the chords like this: "Chorus: I, IV, Im7, IV (4x)" (this is Louie Louie by the way). Concentrate on one section at a time. Just block chords, don't try to figure out the nuances. I do this by playing straight chords (usually a triad; sometimes more complex) with my left hand and the melody in the right hand. It's rare to find a pop or country song with complex chords (a few minor 2, 6 or 7s is all you're likely to find).
Don't worry about the key; it doesn't matter. The key might be C while you're learning it but later when you start playing it back you can do it in whatever key you're comfortable with. It's ultimately up to whoever is singing the song ...
Once you've got each part figured out with block chords go back and plug it all into your general map and THEN try to figure out the nuances. ie. the arpeggios and grace notes.
I know this is a little off-topic from your request but "free" tab sites are notoriously spam and trojan laden. As such I no longer visit them.
Last edited by vanblah; 08-30-2006 at 07:33 AM..
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