Tips on Playing in Time

[Ch0jin]

Not sure on your Audacity issue specifically, but the thing that improved my timing massively and very quickly was when I bought my first looper. (Boss RC-2)

Being able to record my own backing tracks, even if it's only two chords to solo over, with built in drums and loop quantisation (sp) that automagically puts everything in perfect timing helped me sooooo much. After a few months jamming with the looper you WILL improve timing.

Jamming with others will also help a lot, as long as you have a drummer who can keep time of course!

I've since moved on to a Boomerang 3 looper which doesn't automatically fix your timing, so I've had to become even more aware of my timing to make great loops.

If you don't want to splash the cash on a looper (but do, seriously, they are one of the best guitar training tools ever) play along to backing tracks. They are readily available all over the net and are a lot more fun than the last resort, which is using a metronome.

[Rockinghorse Winner]

Not sure on your Audacity issue specifically, but the thing that improved my timing massively and very quickly was when I bought my first looper. (Boss RC-2)

Being able to record my own backing tracks, even if it's only two chords to solo over, with built in drums and loop quantisation (sp) that automagically puts everything in perfect timing helped me sooooo much. After a few months jamming with the looper you WILL improve timing.

Jamming with others will also help a lot, as long as you have a drummer who can keep time of course!

I've since moved on to a Boomerang 3 looper which doesn't automatically fix your timing, so I've had to become even more aware of my timing to make great loops.

If you don't want to splash the cash on a looper (but do, seriously, they are one of the best guitar training tools ever) play along to backing tracks. They are readily available all over the net and are a lot more fun than the last resort, which is using a metronome.

Wow, that's awesome. I have to look up that thing. It sounds great. I also discovered 'click tracks!' That enabled me to at least get a handle on the timing. I even made something that sounds like a song. I am so stoked about audacity.

Thanks a lot for the info. Right now I'm SOOC (no dough), so I'll have to wait until I work some more overtime.

[Rockinghorse Winner]

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. I will look up some backing tracks on the net. Who knew?! Are these 'free use,' or just for practice purposes? Anyway, it's more rewarding to work out your own backing tracks, I think.

[Ch0jin]

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. I will look up some backing tracks on the net. Who knew?! Are these 'free use,' or just for practice purposes? Anyway, it's more rewarding to work out your own backing tracks, I think.

Usually backing tracks are free use as far as I know, but yeah, I only use them for practice. Another fun use though is collaboration. We've done a few here actually, where someone creates (or finds) a nice long backer and we all have a go at playing lead over it.

Anyway, yes it absolutely is more rewarding creating your own backing tracks! However if you just want a "quick fix" to jam with, backing tracks made by someone else are very quick and easy.