Can't play with backing track

I'm learning to change A, D and E chords, and feel I can do it fast enough to do the backing track. But I find the backing track has too many sounds in it and I don't know when it play!

Is there an easier backing track to start with?

Zimdalf-

Have you tried to print off the chords and the measures for each chord and then follow this chart as you listen to the backing track? If you can change chords fast enough then you should be able to count beats for each measure giving you the proper time for each chord in each measure.

Bill C

Originally Posted by: ZimDalfI'm learning to change A, D and E chords, and feel I can do it fast enough to do the backing track. But I find the backing track has too many sounds in it and I don't know when it play!

Is there an easier backing track to start with?

I suggest you simply play the chords along with a metronome for a while first. The idea here is to get used to playing the chords, switching in time & being able to count 1-2-3-4 & think ahead to when the next chord change happens.

Obviously a lot of stuff to do for a beginner! :)

But this is why we practice. Only by sheer repetition can you eventually make all that stuff second nature, an automatic process. So that you don't have to focus on the switching, the counting or the individual chord shapes. After enough practice you can think in larger units, "A chord two measures, D chord two measures, etc."

Make sense?

We made the backing track in the GF course as bare bones as possible. Later backing tracks are only more complex. Playing along with other musicians has a lot more sounds in it! So, it's important to use this time as a beginner to automate the process of playing along in time.

Let us know how it goes or if you have other questions. Best of success!

Oh, yes the metronome!

Ok, I tried with the metronome now and says not near is fast as I thought! Or maybe playing in time is slowing me down? More to think about?
I seem to have some trouble playing the right number of strings for each chord now too!

So I just need way more practice, all that sheer repetition!


But all in all it's all good, I'm having fun! :)

Originally Posted by: ZimDalfOk, I tried with the metronome now and says not near is fast as I thought! Or maybe playing in time is slowing me down? More to think about?[/quote]
Good to hear you are working with the metronome!

This is completely a matter of practice. Everyone has to go through this stage. For some it's longer; others, it's shorter. But the same thing has to take place: you must repeat the physical motions until it becomes second nature to you.

One thing that can help is to isolate the problem task: changing chords. In order to focus solely on this, forget the backing track, forget staying in time, just pick two chords & go back & forth between them. Repeat!

See how quickly you can change from one chord shape to the next. Then pick the next 2 chords. Repeat! Make sense?

Remember, you have to practice the physical motions until they are second nature. Then, you think in larger units. When you start playing you have to focus on every little finger placement. It is hard because it is completely unfamiliar.

Gradually, as you repeat these things, they become automated (shifted over to your subconscious), and you are able to think in larger units. What's happening is your brain must build new neural pathways, and your muscles will get more and more used to these new signals being sent to them and respond quicker ("muscle memory").

At first you have to explicitly think & focus on every little detail: "Put this finger here, put this finger here, don't let this finger graze this string, do this for four beats, don't forget to keep counting evenly, etc."

With enough practice, you are able to think, "C major chord". And your brain & fingers will take care of the details! Merely having to think "C major chord" is the larger unit that "contains" all the necessary physical motions required that your subconscious gets assigned and signals your body to accomplish.

Eventually, with enough practice you get to the stage of playing whole sequences of chords or notes or even whole songs on "auto-pilot". This is because it's been practiced enough to be automated.
[QUOTE=ZimDalf]
So I just need way more practice, all that sheer repetition!

But all in all it's all good, I'm having fun! :)

Good deal! Let us know how it goes. Have fun. :)