Set aside enough time to do steps 1 - 6 in one session. (On average, this will take about 45 minutes per song.) Do steps 8 & 9 throughout the week until you have learned the song.

1.   Read through the words of the song. Think about the message the song is conveying. Look at the structure of the song to understand its form.

2.   [1 repetition] Listen to the full version of the new song. Listen to the melody and get the “spirit” or “mood” of the song. Watching the notes and words is optional in this step. (no singing)

3.   [2 repetitions] Carefully listen to only your isolated part on the learning track. For these reps have the sheet music in hand and follow along with the singer while watching your notes as he moves through the song. Let your brain begin to anticipate each note as it approaches. Do not worry about the words at this point. (no singing)

4.   [3 repetitions] Continue listening to only your isolated part on the learning track. Music in hand, follow along with the singer and “be-bop” the notes. Do not sing the words. With each repetition of the song, work not only on matching the notes, but also on matching the phrasing and breathing. As you “be-bop,” hold out the note values to the ends of phrases and match the “spirit” of the song.

5.   [3 repetitions] Continue listening to only your isolated part on the learning track. Sing along with the learning track using the words. Sing lightly the first time through. Again, match the singer on the learning track as closely as possible. After the second repetition, find the areas that you are having problems with and circle them on your music.

6.   [3 repetitions] Now, listen to all four parts on the learning track and sing along on your part. Pay special attention to your problem spots. Drop out for a moment if you don’t have it rather than reinforce a mistake.

7.   Completely write out all the words to the song on a piece of paper. Write the words out by hand; do not type them on a computer. Do not make short cuts if the song repeats.

8.   Repeat steps 4-6 during the week. Repeat step 4 until you can “be-bop” the song without any note or breathing errors. Repeat step 5 until you can sing your part without errors and without the music (off paper).  As you repeat step 5, aim to sound like one voice with the learning track. Match the singer's tone, color, dynamics, breathing, etc... Continue to step 6 and repeat until you can sing your part without errors and without music.

9.   [3 repetitions] Finally, remove your part from the learning track so that you only hear the other 3 voices. Sing along on your part. Circle problem spots on your music and work on them.

If you follow these steps and make an honest effort to learn the music, you should be able to be off paper on most new songs within 2 weeks.