Are there 50 steps to learning a tune?

Stemming from the discussion about The oral tradition of passing on tunes is ongoing in Irish Traditional Music https://thesession.org/discussions/20472 I started thinking about how I learn tunes.

There’s at least 22 steps in the process. Am I missing some steps?

To really, really know a tune,
1. I have to hear it.
2. If I’m lucky someone will play it slowly for me and I can record it.
3. Try to copy what I heard.
4. Consult notes for the little bits that I can’t quite catch from listening (ABCs work for me).
5. Practice, practice, practice.
6. Hear it on CD (helps in that I can hear it over and over and over).
7. Practice, practice, practice.
8. Hear it in a session.
9. Practice, practice, practice.
10. Hear it in another session.
11. Practice, practice, practice.
12. Attempt to join in playing it in a session (but generally not start it for fear of being left high and dry and guaranteed to mess it up).
13. Practice, practice, practice.
14. Join in any time I can in sessions.
15. Play it with anyone who will play it with me.
16. Practice, practice, practice.
17. Start it in a session!
18. Then I think I may know it but…….
19. I then hear another version or slant to the tune.
20. Think about the new version.
21. Put some of that new version in the tune or not depending if I like it and how it suits my playing style and ability.
22. Practice, practice, practice

I thought Thirty-Nine Steps was the norm, ending (like John Buchan’s thriller of that name) in shenanigans, arrests, seizure of nefarious instruments and stuff.

I would love you to list then 39 steps considered the norm. Of particular interest would be the progression from tame practice to the aforementioned seizure of nefarious instruments. It hints of tales and adventure; I so love a good yarn.

Just listen to the track Jack
learn every cran Stan
whistle it on the bus Gus
that’s steps 1, 2 & 3
get the right key Lee
don’t be coy, Roy
about the ABC

Hmm, sounds interesting - the 22 steps, I mean - but much too premeditated. First, I think, we should take into account that CDs have to a certain extent taken the place of oral tradition. You very often just can´t sit down with a fiddle player in a pub or a banjo player on his front porch. But , if you´re lucky, you get on CD or can even watch them on youtube. So when you can watch Aly Bain play “Wild Rose of the Mountain” or Kenny Baker “Jerusalem Ridge” (bluegrass examples) , this is as close to oral transmission as you can come unless you are living where these musicians are. When I hear a tune which really grabs me, I first decide on which instrument I want to play it (guitar, concertina if it´s something like maybe a waltz, madolin…); then I of course listen to it a lot - while driving , etc. Then there will come a moment when the tune begins to move around in my head and begins to develop a life of its own: I imagine ornamentations, rhythmic variations and so forth, and I very rarely feel the need to have somebody to play it for me slowly…and then I play it. After I while I perhaps listen to the recording again and change my playing, and so on…And: there is always the Amazing Slow Downer to download in case you´re stuck

She said it’s really not my habit
To intrude
Furthermore, I hope my meaning
Won’t be lost or misconstrued
But I’ll repeat myself
At the risk of being lampoon-ed
There’s about fifty steps
To learn a tune

I’m with Chuck (or Ry) on this one.

’Now, the thirteen question method is the one to use,
Listen to me!
Thirteen question method is the one to use.
I’m saying that the thirteen question method is the one you gotta use
If you wanna have some fun
‘cause the thirteen question method is the one to use.’

How about a 12 step program?

It is an addiction I suppose, but who wants to recover? In the early days of trad-ness I was told..no warned..it’s a disease!

Denial
Anger/Resentment
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

Surely in this day and age there must be a 3 step method!

Sit in with a ceili band playing for set dancers.

Learn tunes FAST! Learn 20 tunes in 30 days following this single simple rule! For details, send $5.00 plus $14.99 shipping and handling to…

listen
play
listen
repeat.

Nearly 3 steps..

listen
play
listen
repeat
ad nauseum

Well from where I’m at your missing out the really hard bit.
Listen and play - at the same time.
(oh, and sorry for the late stage digression on your last discussion. Thought everyone had moved on)

3 steps:

1. Begin learning tune.
2. Wife and kids shut the door and complain.
3. Dog is barking tune.

(3A. bring dog to session)

If you already have a good command of your instrument and can
already play Tunes properly, then it’s pretty easy:

1. get the tune in your head
2. spend a few minutes getting it under your fingers

I can do that with tin whistle but it’s a bit more complicated with fiddle

1. Write down the notes
2. Try and play the notes
3. Get the right rythm in the notes
4. Memorise the notes
5. Practice

Zen master says two. Hear the tune. Be the tune.

I bow to the Zen master. I hereby denounce my list.

I am the tune!

LOL! Om mane pint me, my brother.