| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Slowing down mp3's to learn licks?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Slowing down mp3's to learn licks?
Mike Winter


From:
Portland, OR
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 11:36 am    
Reply with quote

Back when I was a kid learning to play 6 string, I would play a 45 at 33 RPM, or an album with weights to slow it down, so I could more easily figure out licks. The problem with that was that it lowered the key, so then I'd have to transpose once I "got it."

On Windows Media Player, there is a slider that allows speed changes when you are playing audio files...and it doesn't change the key. I have been able to listen to some PSG stuff, slowed down to where I think I can figure what they're doing...almost. Has anyone used this as a learning tool? I'm a newbie and I think this might help me.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Steve Howard

 

From:
High Ridge, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 11:41 am    
Reply with quote

I do the same thing with a winamp plug in and it is invaluable. I am learning so much because I can hear every note and really get the nuances of playing. Best learning tool I have.

What version of Media Player do you have?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Steve Robinson

 

Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 11:50 am    
Reply with quote

Yeah, slowing down 33's was how I learned b$%jo back when the earth was still cooling. I use these for slowing down psg licks now: http://sky.prohosting.com/oparviai/pacemaker/ http://www.ronimusic.com/
View user's profile Send private message
Bill Miller

 

From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 11:55 am    
Reply with quote

I think there's been a discussion about this awhile ago but a little program called 'AmazingSlowDowner' is the best learning tool of this type that I've seen. Unlike some others like 'Transcribe' it is very simple to use and yet very powerful. You can widely adjust playback speed without altering pitch. Or in situations where you need to slightly alter pitch you can do that too. But best of all is the very handy 'loop' feature. You can make loops of the solos you're trying to learn and set the number of repeats. I use it to burn practice loops to CDs at various speeds.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Buck Grantham R.I.P.


From:
Denham Springs, LA. USA
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 12:01 pm    
Reply with quote

I use AMAZING SLOWDOWNER and it works great for me.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Steve Howard

 

From:
High Ridge, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 12:09 pm    
Reply with quote

Actually, winamp has all of those features in plug-ins as well. Best part is it is absolutely free. No piracy required to get it free.

Has a plug-in that will slow down or alter pitch (for playing six-string and have to learn Eb licks in E instead) or do both of course.

There is another plugin for the looping and quick buttons to forward your loop to the next section or previous section.

Problem is, these plugins are getting hard to find .

But I have heard nothing but good things about the Amazing Slow Downer. Just mentioning that there are other options as well.

[This message was edited by Steve Howard on 07 February 2005 at 12:24 PM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bill McCloskey

 

Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 12:15 pm    
Reply with quote

I've use SlowGold for years and it works well for me. You can not only slow things down, you can transpose the song into any key you want. I think i paid about $40 bucks for it and have had no complaints.
View user's profile Send private message
Gary Lee Gimble


From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 12:29 pm    
Reply with quote

Depending on how compact your work station is and the amount of audio sources you use, an external unit may be concussive for stealing licks from your favorite horn man. Check it out: http://www.reedkotlermusic.com/rkm/TR_400.htm
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 1:12 pm    
Reply with quote

I just tried out this tool and then bought it.
Amazing Slow Downer for OS X
http://www.ronimusic.com/

there are version for MAc OS X and PC.

I have used it for several weeks and am extremely happy with it. It doesn't have a wave form on screen, but I really don't miss it at all.

Very intuative and I have been working on Tico Tico, and a few other tunes I would NEVER have a clue about with it.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Mike Winter


From:
Portland, OR
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2005 10:24 pm    
Reply with quote

Steve - It's version 9.00.00.3250. It came with Windows XP.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Chris Lasher


From:
Blacksburg, VA
Post  Posted 8 Feb 2005 6:51 am    
Reply with quote

Users of WinAmp can find a slowdown plugin, called "PaceMaker", at http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=12689 A looping plugin for WinAmp that works well in combination is "Loop Master Musician's Tool", available at http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=30749
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Ray Minich

 

From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
Post  Posted 8 Feb 2005 8:00 am    
Reply with quote

Also, "Transkriber" is available on the net.

I think "Slowblast", that comes with the latest shipments of "Band In A Box" does the same thing too.

They reduce tempo for .wav's, I don't know about their compatibility with .mp3's.

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 08 February 2005 at 08:01 AM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jonathan Gregg

 

From:
New York City
Post  Posted 8 Feb 2005 10:08 am    
Reply with quote

The Amazing Slow Downer is the best learning tool I have ever seen. You can loop tricky sections, and it keeps your tune selections in a little library, plus there is a karaoke setting to play along without the lead element. Truly remarkable.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 9 Feb 2005 12:02 am    
Reply with quote

Yep, and you can output a file at what ever speed you like for a cd.
You can make a library of slowed down tunes for practice.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron