Hello Everyone,
I’m two months into my guitar journey and was wondering if anyone is having timing or rhythm trouble playing along to songs in the app. I’ll be tapping my foot and playing along with the audio track, but it feels like the graphic bar is moving too fast and the next chord flashes sooner than it should. It could just be me, but it can feel like I’m racing to catch up to the next chord/bar. Boppin the Blues by Elvis is a good example.
Thanks!
I haven’t really used the app in a while, but I wonder one thing: are you using any bluetooth device for playback?
What I noticed is that BT audio introduces a small delay and that is enough to throw you off when playing. If I’m using my phone as backing track I either have to plug it directly (audio cable from the phone to whatever I’m using for amplification) OR, if I’m going to be using bluetooth, then I cannot look at the phone because the app display will be a few milliseconds ahead of the audio, and that’s enough to throw off my playing if I pay too much attention.
Come to think about it, it would be a nice “feature request” to the app to have a advanced config to tweak the delay between audio and video for specifically this scenario - and it has to be adjustable, because different BT audio devices have very different delay characteristics.
Hi Heckler,
Thanks for your input. I don’t believe I’ve ever used an external speaker via Bluetooth with the app. I just use my iPhone or iPad alone. I’m going to run through the Elvis song I mentioned again and focus on the audio track for the timing of the chord changes. Playing along to the track should be the right approach.
Thanks again.
I’ve just watched a play through of this song paying attention to the notes etc on my iPad and honestly it looks fine to me, the right notes and in time.
It always tells the next chord 1 bar before the change is due to give you chance to prepare. I did notice that the song is 160bpm which is quite fast if you’ve not been playing long. There is the option to slow the track within the app. The other suggestion with fast songs is to learn the chord sequence so you’re not relying on reacting to the screen as much. If you think that you’re watching the screen, trying to change chords and strum nearly 3 times each second in time with the beat then that’s a lot going on, particularly early in your guitar playing journey. Try to focus more on the rhythm of the song as opposed to a progression bar on the screen. Not easy I know.
Hope this helps
Hi Matt,
Thanks for running through the song and confirming the audio and video are in sync. I’ve tried strumming a few chords years ago but really just started playing at the end of June. I think listening to the track, watching for the next chord change, and sneaking peaks at my fretting hand are too much for me at 160bpm. I’ll stick to slower songs until I have more experience.
Thanks again.