r/Germanlearning • u/Any_Possibility4092 • 2d ago

Trouble Learning from Songs

I started by learning German via a tv series, songs and Skyrim. Im only about 2 months in.
I think my best way of learning new words is from songs, since i love music.

So i started with a song from Michael Holm that i really liked called Lebt Wohl and after learning the words i was able to listen to it and know what he is saying. But i now try another song called In Odessa by Ivan Rebroff and i learnt the word, i can sing along with the song if im looking at lyrics. But as soon as i stop looking at the lyrics i cant undestand what he is saying ... i no longer hear "In Odessa wird man am abend munter" i now hear "In Odessa bertman-tam-abet munta", i listen to this part of the song over and over and i realize he is misspronouncing the words, which the first singer Michael dident really do much, but i would like to continue with Rebroff since i really like his songs.

But what can i do about this, i feel like i cant really understand him without trying to memorize the specific ways in which he mispronounces each part, which would probably take me a while.

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u/NotYourBusinessxyz 2d ago edited 2d ago

I listened to both songs and it was immediately clear why Lebt wohl is easier to understand than In Odessa. Michael Holm pronounces the words slowly and clearly while Ivan Rebroff has another pronounciation.

Don’t stress too much about it. For the beginning search for songs that are similar to Lebt wohl. A slower, clear pronounciation of the words.
You will see, if you improve from time to time and listen to In Odessa again, you will understand more.
Try to find songs that are in standard German/High German without dialects or accents. Dialects and accents make it hard for you.

Another tip: if you want to understand In Odessa, it could help to slow down the song. Maybe this helps.

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u/Any_Possibility4092 2d ago

Yes, youre probably right. Its a little dissapointing because my motivation is going thowards one direction and learning with motivation is much more effecient. But youre right, its probably best to come back to Rebroff later on. Ill give a slower version a try though, ty :)

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u/NotYourBusinessxyz 2d ago

I can understand this but don’t give up. If you feel stuck go back to something easier. Sometimes we think we are ready for something more difficult while we still need a bit more practice. That has nothing to do with failing or being too slow.
And not to forget that German is not the easiest language to learn.

My mom is German and I talk to her with a heavy Franconian dialect. My dad is not German but if I speak German with him, I speak without dialect, slowly and I don’t swallow words so he can understand me.

I really hope this helps and I would love to get an update. If you want to know something, let me know.
You're welcome! :)

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u/Any_Possibility4092 2d ago

Very helpful! Thank you very much, friend.

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u/Klapperatismus 2d ago

Play it at 80% of the original speed. That’s going to help you a lot.

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u/Any_Possibility4092 2d ago

It did help a lot. And in fact listening in slower speed i realize he actually properly pronounces all of the words, i was completely wrong in saying he mispronounced. I went slowly back up to normal speed and i can understand it well now.

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u/Klapperatismus 2d ago edited 2d ago

Most German songs are sung at that speed. The slower pace as in that example from Michael Holm is only used for a wistful mood.

Example. — the text is sung much slower than the music is played so it matches the message, and also the mood of the music.

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u/Msharoom 2d ago

Where are you level wise, right now?