When learning a new piece of music, when should a musician work on getting right the rhythm and feel of the piece?
We have long believed it has to be the very first thing to get right and there’s little point playing notes at all unless they are in the desired rhythm (feel and groove). Tempo, however, is a whole other subject – there’s a lot to be said for precision and even playing tunes at markedly different tempos to internalize the piece better.
Timing is the bedrock of all music: “When a note is struck at the wrong time, it’s the wrong note”.
Getting playing in the right rhythm as soon as possible is why we have always sought out structured and inspiring rhythmic backing. This ultimately lead to “Song Rhythm Tracks“.
Rhythm and Timing
Practice Makes Permanent
One of the most repeated terms used to, and by, musicians is that “practice makes perfect”. I’ve heard this altered to, “practice makes permanent”. i.e. if we repeat a thing, over and over, then we do internalize it and it becomes a facility we have “without consciously thinking about it”. This is why we can do complex coordinated movements without much conscious thought such as driving cars and even using a knife and fork. If you’ve never done these things in your life before they can be very challenging for the very first time, but once performed daily one doesn’t even recognize them as a challenge anymore. It’s as if an entirely different part of your mind is assigned to the task. So, what is important is that we are very selective about using this repetition technique and make sure it affects don’t work against us because if what we are practising is not beneficial then it will get internalized just as readily…. So, practice can make perfect; It will eventually make permanent, but that permanency can defeat you as well as help you.
Developing your own sense of timing
A key aspect of music is rhythm and timing – it’s what can make music come alive, and it’s what can kill it as well. It’s essential that we develop good rhythm and timing.
A Pulse!
If you haven’t yet developed the sense of that regular pulse that is present in most modern music – pop, folk, country, jazz – playing along to something with a pulse is of great benefit because wherever your pulse is lacking it will be clearly shown and you will automatically adjust to follow the pulse and keep the timing. Great: That’s a real win. My recommendation is to be very selective about the use of metronomes and click-tracks: There’s more to rhythm than a pulse!
But not just any pulse!
Misuse of Metronomes and click tracks Considered Harmful
Always using a click-track when you practice and when playing together in a group will likely work against developing your own human interaction on the pulse and detract from the rhythmic nuances that end up being beaten out by the demanding, oh-so-regular, ‘click’. In a similar way also, counting when you are jammingwith others will be a problem: Counting the pulses within the meter, such as 1-and-a, 2-and-a, is an absolutely invaluable aid when learning a new, perhaps rhythmically challenging melody: I’ve heard it said that if you cannot count a melody or rhythmic idea out, you don’t really know it: It is great to count it out to ensure we really know it, but once you have internalized that melody, it is time to stop counting it and feel the rhythm and communicate with the others you are playing with without blocking them out by counting in your head.
The Jazz educator Steven Sedergreen in his book, “Start Playing Jazz Piano Now”, writes, “Time and feel are intuitive rather than mechanical. Reliance on mechanical means such as counting and the use of metronomes are poor substitutes for feeling it. Time emanates from within the body and moves outwardly, a natural feeling that should not be restricted”. (chapter 21, para 4)
IBISWorld reported that Australia’s music industry contributes a whopping $1.0 billion to the national economy. That’s a massive number, and it means one thing—there’s a lot of competition out there. To stand out, you’ve got to bring your A-game.
“It’s all about capturing the vibe and delivering an authentic sound that resonates with listeners”, notes songwriter Olivia Jones of Author Flair—one of Australia’s trusted businesses in writing services.
Like how you want the right team to win a footy match, you need the correct elements to succeed in music. This is where song-arranged, rhythmic backing tracks created by top-tier drummers come into play.
These aren’t your run-of-the-mill computer-generated drum lines; we’re talking about the pulsating rhythms and heartbeats captured by absolute drumming legends.
Why song-arranged, studio-grade drummer backing tracks make a difference.
1. Authentic Feel
Using this quality of recordings and musicianship brings your music an organic, “real-life” feel that programmed drums can never capture. It’s like choosing between frozen lasagne and your grandma’s homemade recipe. Which one would you prefer?
Actual drum recordings bring inspiration and authenticity to your music, making it more relatable.
2. Versatility Across Genres
Using actual drum recordings adds depth and versatility regardless of genre, from rock to jazz, blues to pop.
A top-notch drummer’s unique skills and flair will adapt to multiple styles, offering a broad range of sounds.
3. Unmatched Quality
The sound quality of a studio-recorded drum track is as good as it gets. It has clarity, depth, and nuance that can lift the overall quality of any song.
Think of it as upgrading from a good old pair of thongs to a high-end pair of leather boots. The difference is clear and instantly noticeable.
Ways to Incorporate Song-based, Studio-quality Drummer Backing Tracks into Your Fully Mastered Music
Here are some ways to elevate your music with song-arranged, studio-grade rhythmic backing tracks.
1. Choosing Tracks
You’ll find many platforms where you can purchase or license recordings from established drummers. Listen to previews, read reviews, and seek expert advice. The aim is to find and enrich tracks that align with your musical vision.
2. Some Technical Know-How
Here’s where it gets a bit geeky, but stick with me.
Once you have your chosen drum track, you can use music software to blend it with your other instrumentals and vocals. This process is called “sequencing.”
Arranging is like cooking; each ingredient must be added at the right time and amount to create a delicious meal. Sequencing is just mixing all your musical ‘ingredients’ together.
3. Fine-tuning and Mastering
This stage is like putting the icing on your cake. It’s where you make minor adjustments to how the tracks interact with one another and the elements of your song.
You might tweak the volume, adjust the timing, or add special effects. Your goal is to make all the tracks fit together and make the whole shine.
Elevate Your Sound with Song-Arranged, Studio-Grade Drum Tracks!
Music is an ever-evolving field; staying ahead often requires thinking outside the box.
Using song-arranged, studio-grade rhythmic backing tracks can give your music that competitive edge, making it resonate with a broader audience.
Explore the world of rhythm with Alive Drumming – your go-to resource for contemporary rhythms, always delivered as professionally song-arranged drum recordings and the creator of Song Rhythm Tracks apps and service.
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 renditionsof 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.
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!
Unleashing Your Musical Potential with NetTracks: A Deep Dive into Alive Drumming’s Innovative App – By Jude Young
The Australian government outlines that COVID-19 heavily disrupted the live music sector. There is an 80 per cent fall in the number of promoted events from 35,800 in 2019 to just 7,300 in 2020.
“Backtracks in music provide a reliable base for live performances, enriching the experience for artists and audiences. It enables intricate arrangements, accompaniments, and soundscapes that may be challenging to recreate using only live instruments,” says music enthusiast Flynn Lawson of YouTube To MP3—Australia’s most successful affiliate partner online.
Technology continues to redefine how musicians create, practice, and perform. One such revolutionary innovation is the NetTracks app by Alive Drumming, a tool that has completely transformed the concept of backing tracks.
Take a comprehensive look at the capabilities and benefits of this remarkable app:
1. Personalised Customisation For Musical Expression
NetTracks is an innovative app enabling musicians to personalise backing tracks to their musical preferences, encompassing styles, tempos, and song structures. It clarifies arrangements, including intro/outro section lengths and form repetitions.
NetTracks offers a sophisticated Backing Track Player, allowing users to control volume, stereo balance, fade endings, and start-ups, enhancing their ability to deliver polished and captivating live performances.
2. User-Friendly Interface And Seamless Integration
Navigating through a complex app can be a frustrating experience, especially when your focus should be on the music. NetTracks understands this concern and presents an intuitive interface that guides musicians effortlessly. The user-friendly controls ensure that even those less familiar with technology can access its features without impediments.
Furthermore, NetTracks seamlessly integrates with Apple devices, elevating the user experience to new heights. The compatibility with iOS devices creates a synergy, ensuring musicians can access their personalised backing tracks consistently across their devices. This integration enhances convenience and promotes a seamless transition from practice to performance.
3. Real-time Accompaniment
Practising with a live band can be a transformative experience, yet only sometimes readily available. NetTracks bridges this gap by offering real-time accompaniment for musicians.
4. Nurturing Musical Growth Through Exploration
Exploration is at the heart of musical evolution. NetTracks encourages musicians to go beyond their comfort zones and embark on new musical journeys. The vast selection of backing tracks with the ability to customise them serves as a springboard for creativity. Musicians can experiment with different musical genres, tempos, and arrangements, fostering a culture of curiosity and artistic exploration that propels their musical growth.
5. Reducing Friction For Enhanced Accessibility
NetTracks is a streaming service for backing tracks, increasing accessibility by eliminating barriers. Unlike the traditional channels of purchasing CDs or downloads, the app’s subscription model grants musicians instant access to backing tracks. This approach reduces obstacles, allowing musicians to concentrate on their craft.
Unleash Your Musical Creativity With Personalised Backing Tracks
NetTracks app empowers musicians to focus on their passion and explore their creative boundaries. Whether you are a budding artist ready to embark on your musical journey or an experienced performer seeking to refine your skills, NetTracks is the tool that will guide you toward unlocking your full musical potential.
Alive Drumming is a trailblazing organisation delivering top-notch rhythmic backing tracks that breathe life into your music. NetTracks’ powerful setlist feature, seamless searching and ordering and a musician’s audio player, with configurable fade endings and per-track volume control, help curate and arrange tracks suited to your songs.
Contact Alive Drumming at marketing@alive-drumming.org for more information and get to know Alive Drumming—one of Australia’s rhythmic backing tracks and services providers.
NetTracks is a musician’s backing track player, ideal for play-alongs, either in practice or performance. Let’s take a look at what’s available.
Music tracks meant for mixing come in various forms.
Karaoke – for singers. All the music is there, just the singer’s voice is absent – which is supplied by the karaoke singer. The display of lyrics, synced with the music, is crucial. MIDI and audio formats prevail for Karaoke. They help singers practice and perform songs. When MIDI-based tracks are used, they can be tuned by increasing and decreasing the volume of individual instruments in the mix. All ideal for singers.
Musicians’ song-based practice backing tracks. These are song-based tracks, like Karaoke, that target musicians rather than singers. They help musicians learn tunes and improvise over them. They are usually stereo audio, but sometimes mono. Often a chord chart or lead sheet accompanies the audio, so musicians can easily match the harmony or learn new tunes. Rhythm-only backing tracks have less need for chord charts, but are a great way to learn new tunes when combined with lead sheets. The NetTracks Mac and IOS app is an ideal player for these types tracks, which are surveyed below..
Musicians audio mix-ins. These are intended to be used in creating of new, original audio tracks by musicians, independently or in groups, often with a producer. They comes as drumming grooves, baselines, and harmony, often separated into stems – individual per-instrument audio tracks for the arranger. Sometimes they are song-based, but usually not.
Musician’s Play-along Music Collections
Some song-based play-along collections we dig.
Jamey Aebersold
Jamey Aebersold pretty much made the creation of high-quality Jazz and Blues play-alongs his life’s work, and these albums have been widely appreciated and still, decades later, are much revered. The JazzTimes has a good article on his work. The hour-long video is worth the watch. These play-alongs can be purchased through many channels, including the traditional booklet, complete with CD, from musical instrument stores, and the audio separately, per track, on iTunes. They are stereo tracks with instruments well isolated to the right or left channel, allowing users to select the mix by changing the stereo balance. The collection started in the 1970s and now comprises about 120 separate albums, each with a booklet. These should be considered collaborations between Jamey Aebersold and top musicians, with Jamey managing the entire exercise and creating comprehensive, high-quality booklets of lead sheets and scales. These are the gold standard of educational Jazz and Blues backing tracks.
Hal Leonard’s Real Book
When Hal Leonard legitimised the then-Berkely fake books into their Real Books, they took the opportunity to supply backing tracks that match the lead sheets in their Real Books. Pure Genius. You can buy these backing tracks separately in the format of USB sticks if you already have the books. Professional quality jazz trio playing, leaning more to the ballads than bop and not with the stereo separation of the Aebersold’s. Well worth getting.
Hal Leonard has diversified its retailing channels to include online sales.
Hal Leonard also supplies many other play-along books for specific artists or genres, including their multi-track products.
Ralph Patt
Ralph Patt, now deceased, generously created practice backing tracks that he released into the public domain in a guitar user group for the aid of all musicians. These, like those of Jamey Aebersold, isolate instruments in the stereo mix to either the left or right channel. They generally have fast tempos. Ralph was a good musician; we will always be thankful for his legacy. These tracks do not benefit from the same team of musicians behind them that Jamey Aebersold’s did, but for a sole contributor, they are a real achievement and well worth trying. They do not come with lead sheets, but the tempos are shown. Ralph also published the ‘Vanilla Book’, a book of chord charts for many Jazz and Blues standards. Many of his backing tracks are covered in his Vanilla Book. If you play a harmony instrument and want to play along to fast tempo drums and bass, check them out.
Real Book Software
Real Book Software tracks are also based on Real Books and come from an independent supplier, focusing on their complete software product. You can purchase the Jazz Play-Along backing tracks separately from the software product. These tracks are an inexpensive option and worth considering for the added variety they provide. The musical key is shown, and every song generally comes in multiple renditions, such as with and without piano comping, and other variations, such as tempo, repeats and key. We do not have any experience with Real Book Software, software product, but we have tried the stand-alone backing track collection and enjoyed it, considering it a similar experience to Hal Leonard’s.
Bobby’s Backing Tracks
Bobby’s are quality tracks by dedicated musicians. Direct, online sales from their website are the only option. They deal with stems and supply minus-one mixes (no bass, no drums or no keys). They serve the gigging community as much as the practising one. You will listen carefully to the track to figure out its arrangement. They suit more those who learn their tracks through listening critically rather than expecting everything to be supplied upfront, as you would get from educators such as Jamey Aebersold. What you do get, though, is quality backing, easily acquired through their online store. They are not cheap, but a good option to consider, particularly if you want inspiring tracks for performance.
JazzBacks
JazzBacks are based in the UK and use a similar business model to Bobby’s – High-quality tracks using modern equipment for practice or performance direct from their website. JazzBacks proudly do not include fade endings or verbal count-ins and provide copious supporting materials. Their downloads are ZIPs which include the audio file, and multiple chord charts (per instrument type, so C, Eb and Bb), so you know which chords to use and the arrangement, such as,
“Black Orpheus; Key – A minor; Intro- 4 bars; Head; Solo – 1 chorus; Head; Ending – Dm/ Am / Dm/ Am/ Dm/ Em/ Am”.
For Stella,
“Stella By Starlight Key Bb (concert); 2 Bars drums; Straight into the head; Solo- 2 Choruses; Head; Repeat last line twice; End”.
It is great to know this arrangement information up-front, so you can quickly play along knowing what to expect. These professional tracks are very approachable and easier to use than most. They are purchased per track (with bundles available) and can be used in performance.
Song Rhythm Tracks
Alive Drumming’s Song Rhythm Tracks are play-along backing tracks specialising in drums and/or percussion. They use high-quality audio from talented drummers with many different genres represented. Drumming is arranged around the song’s form, and arrangments may include introduction and outro sections, always clearly stated in the accompanying description of the arrangement. Some tracks include stops (aka holds). Arrangements are always visible. It may seem that less is less, but less can be more. Players of harmony instruments, such as guitar or keys, can enjoy playing along to superb drumming without any bass track but still hearing the drummer playing the same song. Give it a go. Song Rhythm Tracks often cover Real Book tunes and sometimes come with public domain lead sheets. The entire collection are accessible within the NetTracks app via a low-cost annual subscription.
Musical Genres other than Jazz, Blues
The vendors above tend to specialise in the genres of Jazz and Blues, often adding Funk, Bossa and other associated styles. These styles of music, with their usually constant pulse and simple forms, lend themselves to highly approachable covers and artists’ improvisations. That’s often the attraction of this music. In turn, these songs can often be well supported by lead sheets and associated backing tracks, making the songs even more approachable for beginning students and experienced musicians.
NetTracks
NetTracks adds to the experience of backing track crafted by musicians by making tracks more accessible and providing the industry’s best setlist and backing track player. We hope more and more students and experienced players find acquiring and using artists’ backing tracks a real pleasure.
Music tracks meant for mixing come in various forms.
Karaoke – for singers. All the music is there, just the singer’s voice is absent – to be supplied by the karaoke singer. The display of lyrics, synced with the music, is crucial. MIDI and audio formats prevail for Karaoke. They help singers practice and perform songs. When MIDI-based tracks are used, they can be tuned by increasing and decreasing the volume of individual instruments in the mix.
Musicians’ song-based practice backing tracks. These are song-based tracks, like Karaoke, that target musicians rather than singers. They help musicians learn tunes and improvise over them. They are usually stereo audio, but sometimes mono. Often a chord chart or lead sheet accompanies the audio, so musicians can easily match the harmony. Rhythm-only backing tracks have less need for these charts. Below, we give our survey of some vendors of these. The NetTracks Mac and IOS app is an ideal player for these tracks.
Musicians audio mix-ins. These are intended to be used in creating new, original audio tracks by musicians, independently or in groups. It comes as drumming grooves, baselines, and harmony, often separated into stems – individual per-instrument audio tracks for the arranger to tune. Sometimes they are song-based, but often not.
Musician’s Play-along Music Collections
Some song-based play-along collections we dig.
Jamey Aebersold
Jamey Aebersold pretty much made the creation of high-quality Jazz and Blues play-alongs his life’s work, and these albums have been widely appreciated and still, decades later, are much revered. The JazzTimes has a good article on his work. The hour-long video is worth the watch. These play-alongs can be purchased through a number of channels, including the traditional booklet, complete with CD, from musical instrument stores, and the audio separately, per track, on iTunes. They are stereo tracks with instruments well isolated to the right or left channel, allowing users to select the mix by changing the stereo balance. The collection started in the 1970s and now comprises about 120 separate albums, each with a booklet. These can be considered collaborations between Jamey Aebersold and top musicians, with Jamey managing the entire exercise and creating comprehensive, high-quality booklets of lead sheets and scales. These are the gold standard.
Hal Leonard’s Real Book
When Hal Leonard legitimised the then-Berkely fake books into their Real Books, they took the opportunity to supply backing tracks that match the lead sheets in their Real Books. Pure Genius. You can buy these backing tracks separately in the format of USB sticks if you already have the books. Well worth getting.
Hal Leonard has diversified its retailing channels to include online sales.
Hal Leonard also supplies many other play-along books for specific artists or genres, including their multi-track products.
Ralph Patt
Ralph Patt, now deceased, generously created practice backing tracks that he released into the public domain in a guitar user group for the aid of all musicians. These, like those of Jamey Aebersold, are stereo with instruments isolated to either the left or right channel. They generally have fast tempos. Ralph was a good musician; we will always be thankful for his legacy. These tracks do not benefit from the same team of musicians behind them that Jamey Aebersold’s did, but for a sole contributor, they are a real achievement and well worth trying. They do not come with lead sheets, but the tempos are shown. Ralph also published the ‘Vanilla Book’, a book of chord charts for many Jazz and Blues standards. Many of his backing tracks are covered in his Vanilla Book.
Real Book Software
Real Book Software tracks are also based on Real Books and come from an independent supplier, focusing on their complete software product. You can purchase the Jazz Play-Along backing tracks separately from the software product. These tracks are an inexpensive option and worth considering for the added variety they provide. The musical key is shown, and every song generally comes in multiple renditions, such as with and without piano comping, and other variations, such as tempo, repeats and key. We do not have any experience with Real Book Software, software product, which has had mixed reviews, but we have tried the stand-alone backing track collection and enjoyed it.
Bobby’s Backing Tracks
Bobby’s are quality tracks by dedicated musicians. Direct, online sales from their website are the only option. They deal with stems and supply minus-one mixes (no bass, no drums or no keys). They serve the gigging community as much as the practising one. You will listen carefully to the track to figure out its arrangement. They suit more those who learn their tracks through listening critically rather than expecting everything to be supplied upfront, as you would get from educators such as Jamey Aebersold. What you do get, though, is quality backing, easily acquired through their online store. It is not cheap, but a good option to consider, particularly if you want to perform with the tracks.
JazzBacks
JazzBacks are based in the UK and use a similar business model to Bobby’s – High-quality tracks using modern equipment for practice or performance direct from their website. JazzBacks proudly do not include fade endings or verbal count-ins and provide copious supporting materials. Their downloads are ZIPs which include the audio file, and multiple chord charts (per instrument type, so C, Eb and Bb), so you know which chords to use and the arrangement, such as,
“Black Orpheus; Key – A minor; Intro- 4 bars; Head; Solo – 1 chorus; Head; Ending – Dm/ Am / Dm/ Am/ Dm/ Em/ Am”.
For Stella,
“Stella By Starlight Key Bb (concert); 2 Bars drums; Straight into the head; Solo- 2 Choruses; Head; Repeat last line twice; End”.
It is great to know this arrangement information up-front, so you can quickly play along knowing what to expect. These professional tracks are very approachable and easier to use than most. They are purchased per track (with bundles available) and can be used in performance.
Song Rhythm Tracks
Best Backing Track Player in the industry.
Alive Drumming’s Song Rhythm Tracks are play-along backing tracks specialising in drums and/or percussion. They use high-quality audio from talented drummers with many different genres represented. Drumming is arranged around the song’s form, and arrangments may include introduction and outro sections. Some tracks include stops (aka holds). Arrangements are always visible. It may seem that less is less, but less can be more. Players of harmony instruments, such as guitar or keys, can enjoy playing along to superb drumming without any bass track. Give it a go. Song Rhythm Tracks are accessible within the NetTracks app.
Musical Genres other than Jazz, Blues
The vendors above tend to specialise in the genres of Jazz and Blues, often adding Funk, Bossa and other associated styles. These styles of music, with their usually constant pulse and simple forms, lend themselves to highly approachable covers and artists’ improvisations. That’s often the attraction of this music. In turn, these songs can often be well supported by lead sheets and associated backing tracks, making the songs even more approachable for beginning students and experienced musicians.
NetTracks
NetTracks adds to the backing track experience by making tracks more accessible and providing the industry’s best setlist and backing track player. We hope more and more students and experienced players find acquiring and using backing tracks a real pleasure.
A survey by the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN) in 2021 found that 94% of Australian musicians use technology to create, record, and distribute their music.
“Technological tools have a positive impact on the creation of music. It has helped musicians to be more creative, efficient, and accessible. As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how it continues to shape the future of music.” says music enthusiast and small business loan provider Shane Perry of Max Funding.
Alive Drumming recently introduced NetTracks, a groundbreaking app specifically designed for Apple Macs and iOS devices, redefining the world of rhythmic backing tracks for musicians.
NetTracks elevates the musical experience for artists.
1. Extensive Library Of Rhythmic Backing Tracks
Spending too much time on tasks like shopping for tracks, loading them onto mobile devices, and jotting down arrangement details is frustrating. NetTracks boasts an extensive library of professionally crafted rhythmic backing tracks. With various styles, tempos, and feels, musicians can find the perfect accompaniment to complement their creative vision.
2. Real Drummer Performances
What sets NetTracks apart from traditional rhythm accompaniment tools is its authenticity. The app showcases the artistry of real drummers, each with their unique style and flair. These professional performances breathe life into the music, infusing it with a natural feel and groove that computer-generated beats cannot replicate.
3. Arrangements Made Simple
NetTracks ensures that arrangements are always visible, providing musicians with essential details such as the length of introduction and outro sections and the number of repeats of the form. This clarity eliminates the need to keep track of such information separately, allowing artists to focus solely on their musical practice and performance.
4. Comprehensive Rhythm Descriptions
The app’s rhythm descriptions leave no room for ambiguity. Musicians can find essential information, including the beats-per-minute (BPM), ensuring a seamless integration of backing tracks into their compositions. This feature empowers artists to align their music precisely with the chosen backing track.
5. Setlist’s Musician Player
NetTracks offers a sophisticated Musician Player, allowing users to configure the volume, stereo balance, fade endings, and start-ups. This level of control enables musicians to tailor their performances, delivering captivating and polished live shows.
6. Seamless Integration With Apple Devices
NetTracks caters to a wide range of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Soon, it will also extend its support to Apple TV, providing a seamless experience across all platforms with just one low-cost universal subscription. This unified approach makes it incredibly convenient for musicians to access their tracks and settings on any Apple device.
7. Low-Cost Universal Subscription
You can enjoy low monthly or yearly subscriptions and get an introductory month free with the annual plan. Unlock access to a world of backing tracks on your iPad with a membership offered after your first free 20 plays.
Play With Backing Tracks And Elevate Your Musical Experience With Alive Drumming
NetTracks is a game-changer for musicians using Apple Macs and iOS devices. With its extensive library of drummer performances, seamless integration, and customisation options, the app revolutionises the world of rhythmic backing tracks. Embrace NetTracks today and experience the transformative power of rhythm at your fingertips!
Contact Alive Drumming at marketing@alive-drumming.org for more information and get to know Alive Drumming— one of Australia’s top rhythmic backing track services providers.
Music Australia believes that drumming is one of the oldest styles of music and has been used in many different cultures for centuries. A good drum groove can make your drums sound more powerful and cohesive, so learning how to build one is essential.
“Building a solid drum groove is essential to playing powerfully and with cohesion. Without a good groove, your drums will sound sloppy and unprofessional. An unprofessional image is not good in the business industry, so improving your groove is a must,” says business expert Ashley Hansen of Online Business—Australia’s top online resource for entrepreneurs and business startups.
There are many ways to build a drum groove, but these five techniques are some of the most common.
1. Exercise Using A Metronome
For this, you can either use a traditional mechanical metronome or a digital substitute. Timing is essential for creating a solid groove and remaining in the pocket. When a new drummer joins a band, many have the propensity to get excited, frequently resulting in them starting to speed up the music. Use a metronome to practise so you can master maintaining a constant tempo at all times.
2. Remove The Glamorous Things
Of course, by occasionally incorporating our unique style into our beats, we all like to be acknowledged as accomplished and skilled musicians. The groove, not the sound, is the most crucial element in pocket drumming. Why do we say that? As drummers, our job is to move the music forward, not to add to its content, when we’re playing in the pocket. Therefore, reduce the fills and place the groove in their place.
3. Play In Front Or Behind Of The Beat
This one is one of the best methods for transforming a drum beat into a pure groove. Sadly, it’s also one of the most difficult to master! A great way to add tons of groove to even the most straightforward beat is to play a drum note before or after the actual beat. Use a metronome to practice this technique; it will take some time to master, but it is well worth the effort.
4. Ride The Groove And Learn To Relax
The techniques that must be learned and used while playing have been covered so far. Of course, this is crucial. The issue is that groove is typically about feeling, and losing that groove by focusing too much on your playing is a foregone conclusion. The secret to excellent pocket drumming is to not only play the music but to feel the music as well. Doing this creates a comfort zone that the entire band, including you, can use. Have fun!
5. Bringing Everything Together
Keep going if you listen to various drum grooves, imitate the ones you enjoy, and still need to get the desired results. Perfecting a drum groove requires practice, just as with any other component of music production. Keep honing your grooves and combine genres to your heart’s content; the only rule you need to follow is: “Does that sound good? If so, you can move forward.
Build Your Drum Groove With Alive Drumming
Drumming is an essential part of any musician’s toolkit. It can provide the backbone for excellent performance and allow you to build layers of grooves that can be adapted to many different styles of music.
Alive Drumming is a website showcasing non-classical musicianship. It offers resources on contemporary rhythms, arranges rhythm recordings, and provides the Song Rhythm Tracks service and mobile apps.
Contact us at marketing@alive-drumming.org for more information.
According to Music Australia, drumming has become a part of our everyday lives. Whether you play at home or go to a club, chances are you’ve heard someone say they love drumming. Drummers are sometimes stereotyped as loud, obnoxious, and annoying. In reality, drumming is a complex art form that requires practice, patience, and discipline.
“Drumming has become very popular worldwide. Drumming can be done alone or with other instruments such as guitar, bass, and keyboard. Drumming is a great way to exercise your body and relax simultaneously,” says Flynn Ross, a musical instrument specialist at Guitar Tuners—Australia’s top supplier of musical instruments.
Drumming is a fun and relaxing hobby that anyone can enjoy. There are several myths surrounding drumming, but they only apply to some drummers.
1. The Physicality Is Extreme
Drums are no more physically demanding to practice than other instruments. Still, all musical instruments have a maximum volume that may be easily reached before you break it and start wasting your time or showing off.
2. The Key Is To Hit Things
Drumming revolves around striking objects, but a piano, another percussion instrument, does the same. It’s not the same as hitting something as hard as you can when you strike it to get the best sound out of it.
3. Drummers Perspire Heavily
A drummer’s working room.
They used to since the club had low ceilings and they were flanked by infernal floor lighting or a row of incandescent lamps dangling above them. The drummer was inches away from getting a tan, thanks to being on a riser. LED drummers no longer sweat more than anyone else on stage due to the environment’s low heat. Keep up with technological advancements while remaining alert in the back.
4. Drumming Can’t Be Practised At Home Without Making Others Mute
False. Practising surfaces include books, pads, and electronic drums. Also, your sister’s violin or brother’s trumpet, which requires natural playing to generate a good tone, can quickly drown out the appealing pattering of sticks on a practice pad or electronic set.
5. Drums Cannot Be Played On Your Own
That is no longer the case in the virtual world. Some YouTube drummers who “stay at home” have a business coaching other drummers online.
6. Drums Aren’t Musical Instruments
It is true that drums “have no pitch”. This is typically cited as support for this claim. On the other hand, it has an undefined or approximate pitch. The ear can tell which drum has a higher pitch than the other.
7. It Will Only Take Additional Time Away From The Books To Study The Drums In High School Or College
Maybe, but those hours will probably improve academic performance if they aren’t wasted. There is a growing body of research on the many advantages of learning any musical instrument, including patience, discipline, confidence, attention to detail, and coordination.
8. Drummers Are Not Musicians
It’s a prevalent misconception that drummers don’t need to understand how music functions. This is false; many drummers have at least rudimentary proficiency on a second instrument.
9. You’ll Experience Hearing Loss
Modern in-ear monitoring provides a level of control that allows you to have whatever sound you choose in your ears at any volume. If you turn the monitors up to their maximum volume, the drums sound fantastic, but there is a risk of ear injury. You should give it some thought.
Break The Myths And Enjoy Drumming With Alive Drumming
There are myths about everything; no one should hinder someone from doing what they love. With professional help, breaking these myths and enjoying drumming will be possible.
Alive Drumming showcases non-classical musicianship, with resources on contemporary rhythms, arrangement rhythm recordings, and provides the Song Rhythm Tracks service and mobile apps.
Contact us at marketing@alive-drumming.org for more information.
According to the Australian Institute of Music, thousands of different types of drums are out there. From acoustic to electronic, they come in various sizes and shapes. The type of drum you choose depends on the style of music you play.
Drums are one of the oldest instruments around. They’ve been played since ancient times and continue to play an essential role in music today. Here are some standard drum terms you should know before starting your journey into the world of drums.
1. Rudiments
Rudiments are various drum rhythms that you can play on a drum set or drum kit to create music or be used as drills in and of themselves. Although there are many other drum rudiments, 40 have been chosen as the most essential and practical rudiments to master.
2. Drum Fill
A drum fill, also known as a lick or a chop, is a phrase you play to bridge the gap between verses, choruses, or other musical portions of a song or to lead the band into the following section, such as the bridge.
3. Drum Throne
The term “throne” is frequently used to describe the drummer’s chair. Yes, the drummer has a specific seat, just like royalty.
4. Authentic And Coordinated Grip
These phrases explain the proper grip for the drumsticks. You hold the left stick like a fork and the right bar like a wand while using the conventional grip. Hold both bars in a wand-like fashion with palms facing down and a matched grip.
5. Groove Or Beat
A rhythmic pattern you play in sync with the music is called a drum groove or beat.
6. Tempo
Tempo is an expression of speed or duration. When practising and increasing their tempo, drummers may employ a click track or metronome. Certain drummers and ensembles even use a click track when performing live.
7. Drum Shell
The drum shell provides the framework of the drum. Shells can be crafted from metal, acrylic, or wood.
8. Drumroll
This two-handed drumming style, sometimes known as a buzz roll, generates continuous sound. Drummers frequently use the snare drum for drum rolls.
Play Drums Like A Pro With Alive Drumming
The list of drum words is endless, and as you continue your drum training, you will learn many more. Never be afraid to ask someone, preferably an expert, what a new term means if you come across one. The most excellent method to learn and expand your drum vocabulary is through practice.
Alive Drumming is a website showcasing non-classical musicianship. It offers resources on contemporary rhythms, arranges rhythm recordings, and provides the Song Rhythm Tracks service and mobile apps.
Contact us at marketing@alive-drumming.org for more information.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that musical training can enhance young children’s reading skills and executive functioning. The study participants were 6-year-olds who had never received any formal music lessons. After eight months of regular music classes, the children showed significant improvements in their reading ability and executive function compared to a control group of children who did not receive musical training.
“Songs, rhythms and rhyme can profoundly affect early development. They can provide a fun and stimulating way to interact with your child and support their cognitive, linguistic and emotional development,” says mum, linguist, and writer Olivia Jones of Author Flair.
Curious as to how songs, rhythms and rhyme can help your child’s development? Here are some ways:
1. Songs And Rhythm Can Introduce Your Child To New Words And Concepts
Introducing your child to songs and rhythms will expose them to new vocabulary, which can help them develop their language skills. Themes can also teach children new concepts such as counting, colours, shapes, etc.
2. Rhythms And Rhyme Can Help Your Child Learn To Read
According to the study, music can help support your child’s reading skills. It is believed that regular exposure to rhythms and rhyme found in songs helps children develop the ability to read with greater fluency.
3. Songs And Rhythm Can Help Your Child Develop Their Memory Skills
Songs are a great way to help children practice and develop their memory skills. Through repetition, they can learn the words and melodies of songs quickly. This ability to remember and recall information can also help in other areas of learning, such as reading and mathematics.
4. Songs And Rhythm Can Help Your Child Develop Gross And Fine Motor Skills
Singing and moving to music help children develop their gross and fine motor skills. Clapping, dancing, and playing instruments require large muscle groups, which helps kids develop coordination and control. Additionally, songs that need children to use small movements, such as finger-plays, help them develop fine motor skills.
5. Songs And Rhythm Can Help Your Child Express Themselves
Songs provide an excellent outlet for children to express themselves. Through singing, they can share their feelings and emotions in a safe and non-threatening way. Additionally, making up their songs or adding words to familiar tunes is ideal for children to be creative and use their imagination.
Explaining musical concepts
6. Songs And Rhythm Can Help Your Child Bond With You
Singing together is a great way to create a special bond between you and your child. It’s a time for cuddles, eye contact, and smiles – all of which help your child feel loved and secure. Additionally, singing songs is a great way to create positive memories that your child will cherish for years.
Break Out Into Song And Rhythm When You’re Spending Time With Your Little One
These are just some ways that songs, rhythms and rhyme can help support your child’s development. So, go ahead and bust out those tunes – your child will indeed thank you for it later! It might help them develop in more ways than you ever thought possible!
We at Alive Drumming are ecstatic about drumming — actual drummers striking genuine drums, as opposed to simulated drumming. Our Song Rhythm Tracks are recorded by top studio drummers and sequenced by AI technologies into complete, fully-arranged backing tracks that fit specific songs. We strive to provide our customers with the best possible rhythms and beats worldwide. We want to make it as easy and convenient as possible to get the inspiration you need!
Get your children started on their song and rhythm learning journey today by contacting us!
