This post specifically applies to a popular song, or at least one that already has a recording. To me, practicing a song is fairly boring, tiresome, and very frustrating. I remember when I was learning “It Ends Tonight” by The All-American Rejects. I came close to giving up on that song, but there was something that gave me a little extra enthusiasm. I began playing the song along with the real track. I had the song playing in my media player and I played what I knew so far on my keyboard right in sync with it. I had played along with other songs like “Clocks” by Coldplay (<— lots of fun), but I had apparently forgotten that feeling. It just feels like you are up on stage in the band. As soon as you hit the best part in the song, usually the chorus, you get a feeling of rush and excitement when you are playing. That is what drives us to continue trying to get it right. Most of the time it will mean more practicing, but you will thank yourself later when you have it learned. You’ll be able to jam it whenever you want. Especially songs that are not necessarily “piano instrumental” one’s. I’m talking about ones where the main parts may just be guitar, synths, etc. Most of you have seen me play one of my favorites on youtube, “When You Were Young” by The Killers.