How do I learn a song in another language?

By the RepeatWatch team · Updated

Quick answer

Learn a song in another language one line at a time. Loop a line at 0.75×, speak the words in rhythm until the sounds are clear, then sing them with the recording. Learn what the line means, save it as a section, and chain lines into verses before raising the speed back to 1×.

Try this now: loop one line at 0.75× and whisper it in rhythm with the singer, without singing. Which syllables can't you hear clearly yet?

How to learn a song in another language line by line

  1. Get the words and the meaning. Find the lyrics and a translation so you know what each line says. Meaning makes the sounds easier to remember.
  2. Loop one line slowly. Set A and B around one line and slow it to 0.75×. The melody stays in the same key.
  3. Speak it in rhythm. Whisper or speak the words with the loop, matching each syllable to its note. Mark tricky sounds, in IPA if you know it.
  4. Sing it. Sing the line with the recording, then from memory into a 3 s Pause between loops.
  5. Save and chain. Save each line as a section named with its first words, then loop pairs of lines.
  6. Back to full speed. Speed trainer: Step +0.05×, Every 3 loops, Goal 1×. At full speed singers often link words together, so listen for those joins.

Try it now: paste a YouTube link.

5 common mistakes

  • Singing from a romanized or phonetic spelling without checking it against the recording.
  • Learning sounds without meaning, which makes lines harder to remember and to sing with feeling.
  • Looping whole verses before single lines are clear.
  • Never practicing at 1×, where words run together in ways the slow loop hides.
  • Skipping the spoken step and mumbling over the hard syllables.

Frequently asked questions

Can I learn a song in a language I don't speak?

Yes. Many singers learn songs in languages they don’t speak, working line by line from the lyrics, a translation and the recording. A native speaker or coach can check your pronunciation.

What is IPA and do I need it?

The International Phonetic Alphabet is a set of symbols for speech sounds. It helps you write down tricky sounds, but you can learn a song by ear without it.

Does this help with learning the language too?

It can help with the language's sounds and rhythm, and lyrics give you whole phrases to remember. For conversation you'll also need speaking practice beyond songs.

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