Practice Apps, Tools & Tips!

[Fireproof]

The GUITAR (and BASS) PRACTICE APPS, TOOLS, and TIPS thread.

The Stadium thread discussion about slowing down tracks for practice, etc., made me think a thread on the topic of practice apps, tools, and tips would be beneficial to some of us.

• So share any apps or tips you have for helping your practice sessions.
• Including things like audio-editing apps to remove tracks, change tempo, etc. Or good sources for backing tracks or drum tracks for known songs when you don’t want to create your own.
• Be sure to include how you use Stadium Showcase when that’s available!

I’ve mentioned I’ve been “out of the game” for a couple years and just getting back to it. So sadly, in that time, some apps i was using no longer exist.

One that I’ve used for years still seems to be around - the Amazing Slow Downer!! That’s worked well for tackling hard/fast solos. As well as just changing the pitch of a song up a half step so I can play along to it without messing with my own tuning.

Let me know what you got!

 

[AlbertA]

I use Guitar Pro 8 - I find backtracks (YouTube, official backtracks sometimes, other sources) and I add them to existing tabs/sheet music - I spend a little time aligning the sheet music tempo with the audio and then I can slow it down, loop sections etc.

Also some times, I will use YouTube playback speed, if it's a just riff or looking at the original artist playing something to get the fingering. If I feel inclined I will slow it down in YouTube, transcribe it into GuitarPro 8 until it sounds closish to me.

Most of the time, a backtrack will be available so I haven't explored making my own for quite a long time.

Songsterr will also have a bunch of tabs with real audio linked (YouTube).

For piano - I used to use piano3D but it's gone now. Flowkey seems fantastic (I've only done the trial)

 

[deathbyguitar]

Can anyone recommend any apps for teaching theory? I've been playing for 24 years and still haven't grasped the circle of 5ths lol.

 

[SpaceMan]

Can anyone recommend any apps for teaching theory? I've been playing for 24 years and still haven't grasped the circle of 5ths lol.

It might depend on what aspects of theory you’re interested in, but I might suggest the app ‘Solo’

 

[Fireproof]

For tabs - I’ve been using Songsterr. Large library. And most come with multiple tracks/instruments so you can selectively mute and play along. Pretty cool and easy.

 

[Mooselake]

My number one practice aid is "Transcribe!". Despite it's name, I don't use the transcribe features, but rather to slow down audio (maintaining pitch) and/or shifting pitch to something more convenient (usually from Eb to E standard). A couple years ago I decided I was going to learn a few challenging pieces strictly by ear and I use Transcribe! for that. My musical ear is pretty atrocious.

For quick and dirty tabs for something I don't want to invest the effort to learn by ear, I'll just look it up on Songsterr, or sometimes I'll just look for a live performance on Youtube, or a 'lesson' on Youtube.

 

[PhilA]

Absolutely Guitar Pro really useful.
Songsterr is good I subscribe a month and download a load of tabs in Guitar Pro format.

Theory
Solo (guitar specific)
Tenuto (app version of https://www.musictheory.net/)
Read rhythm app (https://sites.google.com/view/readrhythm-app/home)

 

[12tone]

I use Anytune and Songmaster these days. Both will change pitch without affecting tempo and vice versa. Songmaster will also break songs into stems and also give you basic chords of songs.

 

[Genghis]

I use JamZone for backing me while I practice cover tunes for my band or when I practice drums. You can change key and speed and mute whatever tracks you are practicing with.

 

[Dez]

I use Guitar Pro 8 - I find backtracks (YouTube, official backtracks sometimes, other sources) and I add them to existing tabs/sheet music - I spend a little time aligning the sheet music tempo with the audio and then I can slow it down, loop sections etc.

Also some times, I will use YouTube playback speed, if it's a just riff or looking at the original artist playing something to get the fingering. If I feel inclined I will slow it down in YouTube, transcribe it into GuitarPro 8 until it sounds closish to me.

Most of the time, a backtrack will be available so I haven't explored making my own for quite a long time.

Songsterr will also have a bunch of tabs with real audio linked (YouTube).

For piano - I used to use piano3D but it's gone now. Flowkey seems fantastic (I've only done the trial)

I love Guitar Pro for practicing parts. Put that shit on a loop and slow the tempo down, increase slowly until you can play the thing you couldn’t originally

 

[Dez]

Can anyone recommend any apps for teaching theory? I've been playing for 24 years and still haven't grasped the circle of 5ths lol.

I used the apps “Theory” and “Tenuto” on the App Store - they helped a good bit. I got to the point with music theory to where I can understand the foundations and I’m not super interested in learning advanced stuff.

 

[Gary_W]

Thanks for starting this thread @Fireproof - I’ve been using Ultimate Guitar for years to look up tabs / chord sheets. I’d like a better way so I’ll look at Guitar Pro 8 and also Songsterr.

I prefer a one-off payment product if I’m honest so the Black Friday deal on Guitar Pro 8 is sounding attractive…. Especially because it’s got other learning tools in there too. @AlbertA - would you mind telling me how easy it is to (a) find tracks that work and (b) sync them up in the way you’re describing? Sorry if that’s a broad (and basic!) question but getting my head around which way to go…. They’re selling a subscription to ‘MySongBook’ - 20 euros for a year Black Friday deal…. Is that worth it / necessary?

 

[Fireproof]

Thanks for starting this thread @Fireproof - I’ve been using Ultimate Guitar for years to look up tabs / chord sheets. I’d like a better way so I’ll look at Guitar Pro 8 and also Songsterr.

I prefer a one-off payment product if I’m honest so the Black Friday deal on Guitar Pro 8 is sounding attractive…. Especially because it’s got other learning tools in there too. @AlbertA - would you mind telling me how easy it is to (a) find tracks that work and (b) sync them up in the way you’re describing? Sorry if that’s a broad (and basic!) question but getting my head around which way to go…. They’re selling a subscription to ‘MySongBook’ - 20 euros for a year Black Friday deal…. Is that worth it / necessary?

Very cool.

Yeah I got grandfathered into a perpetual license with Songsterr. I think it’s a subscription now - but all the features still seem to work for me. I keep expecting that to change.

I used Guitar Pro many years ago - maybe version 5? I bet now that they are on version 8 it’s got a bunch of new capabilities. I’ll have to check it out.

I don’t use MySongBook but I think it was one of the top apps at the time I landed on OnSong. Probably both similar. I used it to share songs and set list with friends. We would jam a lot and it was nice having chords or lyrics to follow along so not everyone had to have everything memorized to have a good time. I’m sure there are a lot of capabilities in there that I never used. These days they seem to be feature rich with auto scrolling, some bring in backing tracks, Bluetooth connectivity to control pedals etc.

 

[AlbertA]

@AlbertA - would you mind telling me how easy it is to (a) find tracks that work and (b) sync them up in the way you’re describing? Sorry if that’s a broad (and basic!) question but getting my head around which way to go….

Sometimes the artist offers their own backtracks - for example:

• https://nickjohnstonmusic.com/jam-tracks
• https://www.vai.com/minisites/nakedtracks/nakedtracks_paw.html

I usually just search "<song> backtrack" - sometimes I get lucky sometimes I don't. There's many talented people now a days that make their own high quality backtracks and usually on YouTube. I will do a loopback device on my computer and record into a DAW if it's on YouTube (I guess you could use a YouTube downloader as well and extract the audio that way).

On finding a good tabs - again sometimes the artist have their own tabs, for example:

• https://www.sheethappenspublishing....thology-5-pack-complete-guitar-transcriptions (another way to support your favorite artists)

Finding a good tab is hit and miss otherwise. Songsterr is usually where I end up (a free account lets you export to guitar pro file).

Once you have the guitar pro tab though, check this tutorial out:

They’re selling a subscription to ‘MySongBook’ - 20 euros for a year Black Friday deal…. Is that worth it / necessary?

It is Not necessary. Is it useful? It can be - they have a bunch of the popular songs out there, the most popular ones will come with audio backtracks already sync'ed up as well - it just depends on what you are looking for.