The Australian Government recognises the significance and value of music in fostering cultural expression and contributing to the economy.
In 2019, the music sector contributed $1.7 billion to the GDP, with potential for growth given the right platforms and practices, states the Government’s “Australian Music Industry” report.
One unique and influential aspect in bolstering this growth is play-along tracks.
Most people might associate these with an artist’s music recording process, but they offer profound enrichment to music learning and practice.
“Popular tools like Band In A Box and iReal Pro have been conducive but seem too formulaic to some. The real essence lies in playing along with masterful renditions of seasoned artists, offering joy and a priceless learning experience,”says music enthusiast, Flynn Lawson of YouTube To MP3.
The importance of play-along tracks in music practice:
1. Enhances Musical Skills
Play-along tracks help to sharpen various musical skills.
These tracks pave the way to practice rhythm, melody, and harmony in real-time, fostering an in-depth musical understanding.
The natural, dynamic feeling of performing alongside a talented musician’s rendition of a musical piece helps to hone the students’ interpretative skills and musical intuition.
2. Supports Self-Expression
Playing along with recordings of talented musicians allows one to connect personally with the music, fostering expressive capabilities.
It helps discover one’s unique musical voice, resonate with the piece’s emotion, and communicate these effectively through performance.
3. Aids in Fixing Mistakes
With play-along tracks, musicians identify and rectify their mistakes on the spot.
The immediate feedback helps players to detect off-beats, wrong notes, or other areas of improvement.
This instant detection and correction instil better playing habits and contributes to steady musical growth.
4. Promotes Versatility
Another critical advantage of play-along tracks is the exposure to different music styles.
Individual tracks will likely embody various genres, cultures, and traditions, thus coaxing musicians out of their comfort zones.
This versatile exposure broadens the musical vision and cultivates adaptability.
5. Rehearses Performance-like Scenarios
Play-along tracks re-create the vibe of a live performance.
Practising with these tracks helps musicians become accustomed to the performance dynamic – following the tempo, maintaining sync, and imparting feelings.
This role-play aids in confronting stage fright and boosts confidence when actually performing.
6. Provides Enjoyment and Motivation
Above all, playing along with recordings of talented musicians makes music practice so enjoyable.
It breaks the monotony of routine practice, injecting a thrill of playing with a virtual ‘band’.
This fun-filled learning stimulates enthusiasm and motivation, fostering a more profound love for the music.
Fine Tune Your Practice With NetTracks
NetTracks from Alive Drumming is the musician’s store for play-along tracks, with 1000s of high-quality tracks of artists’ recordings from Alive Drumming and other vendors. It is the ideal way to find, download and play great play-along tracks. The Apple app has helpful metadata, a superb audio player and setlists. Just what one needs to take advantage of the best play-along.
Alive Drumming is a hub for non-classical musicianship, offering various resources to enhance your understanding of contemporary songs and particularly their rhythms.
Explore rhythm recordings and experience the convenience of Song Rhythm Tracks through the NetTracks app.
Check out Alive Drumming at alivedrumming.com and elevate your music practice like never before. Rock, steady rhythms start there!
Contact Alive Drumming for more insights at marketing@alive-drumming.org. They will guide you towards fulfilling your musical journey.
— Article from guest contributor Jude Young.