Apps, websites and other learning tools

Jazzman105

I saw Klaasvakie's post re the Yousician special, and recalled my comment re Ipad apps recently, and I was wondering... What apps, websites and other online/digital tools do you use?

There are many out there, so please tell us about the ones that truly made a difference in your learning.

klaasvakie

I only use a couple with any regularity.

Yousician, but almost always on Windows, not on the phone/tablet. I have posted my thoughts on this before, but the gamification of practice is a really effective tactic that works well for me. (personality dependent I think - other people I've talked to hate it)

Songsterr app, (I paid the R65 to get the premium features working). Has a good selection of tabs, doesn't feel as scammy as Ultimate Guitar and it also allows you to download the tabs in .gp5 format.

Metronome app. (I use the one by keuwlsoft, doesn't have any ads or need any permissions). It goes tick-tick.

I have an Amplifi amp, so I use the Amplifi app to fiddle with tones and effects.

Youtube of course, about 50% playing along with songs and 50% learning things.

Reaper for windows to record if I feel brave enough.

V8

For learning, not much at the moment:

http://www.studybass.com worked really well for me as a best structured method of working on the bas(s)ics that many self taught muso's don't really spend time on.

Coursea have a list of courses you can 'audit' (follow) for free, but not participate). I did a few back in the day when ya could participate for free - the deadlines are useful for getting things done! The Pat Pattison songwriting one was awesome, but I see it's no longer listed.

Youtube

I like Paul David's - mix of learning and guitertainment. He's got a beginners course coming out soon, interested to see how he approachs it
bossanovaguitar when learning a bit of Bossa Nova.
Cover Solutions for bass and guitar covers. Playthrough style with tabs - works for me.
Center Stage Guitar, Bass, and Ukulele Academy - for a mix of bass.guit & uke lessons and covers. Simple video's, minimal yak-yak, easy to grasp.
Recording Revolution - Home recording/Songwriting/Production, Good intro to the basics of recording and beyond. He's got a community going, fun to follow his work
Produce like a Pro for recording, I really like the sense this fellow talks. Sometimes a bit over my head, but he know's his $#$^!
Quist - Jazz n blues backing tracks and jams. Like that there's song charts to follow in some jams.
Justin Guitar - Enjoying the stuff he's doing with Lee Anderton (Rut Busters/Private lessons).

Apps

Not much - the phone's too small for me to work with. I'd really need a tablet to work with recording apps and the like.

Boss Tuner - simple, minimal ads, lightweight install
n-track - loads of features, works quite well. But a pita on a small screen - same for all recording apps I reckon.
Sound Meter - db meter to check I'm not bothering the neighbors ?

Jazzman105

Ok! V8 clearly has been around the block ?

Here's some pressure for you @V8. Pick one favourite for each category:
1. Website
2. App
3. Youtube Channel

V8

Grin...I clearly spend too much time keytaring and not enough guitaring...

Jazzman105 Here's some pressure for you @V8. Pick one favourite for each category:
1. Website

http://www.studybass.com - I like the modular & structured approach

App

I hardly use any...waiting to get a tablet for Xmas ? I only hear good things about iReal Pro though (sure you are already a fan).

Youtube Channel

Eeeeekkkk, just one. Argggh. Can't. Do. It. ⁉ That's already a rather abbreviated list! ?

Jazzman105

Thanks @V8... Ok, since you've had to endure that stress, I will do the same:

Website:
www.Jazzguitar.be. It is an all-round informative site, with a strong education angle. They have great resources on sale, but offer plenty free lessons to keep everyone interested. For jazz cats mostly, but there's so much we can all learn from it. Also great for learning and understanding the Blues!

Apps:
You guessed it @V8! iReal Pro has been a game-changer for me. It's an easy-to-use tool that gives you access to, and lets you create backing tracks in no time. When you use iReal Pro, it means that you always have a lead sheet (chord chart) at hand.
It is also my go-to tool to lay down basic song ideas. You can programme progressions within seconds and change the groove, bpm, key, etc instantly. It's also an easy app to help you learn new songs. The "forum" feature gives you access to thousands upon thousands of backing tracks. It comes highly recommended. It's available for Mac, iOS and Android.

Youtube Channel:
Here, I'm stumped. I'll go with "Justin Guitar" on this one. Simply because he's so chirpy and really tries to simplify things for the viewer.

klaasvakie

Jazzman105 Here, I'm stumped. I'll go with "Justin Guitar" on this one. Simply because he's so chirpy and really tries to simplify things for the viewer.

I enjoyed the lessons Justin Guitar did with Andertons:

The lessons alternated between the two channels which is why there are two playlists.

V8

Jazzman105 www.Jazzguitar.be.

I've used this site in the past - good reminder to get back there. Thanks!

Jazzman105 When you use iReal Pro, it means that you always have a lead sheet (chord chart) at hand.

I've seen it in action many times, my mate gig's regularly with it on a tablet - works great. I dig having the chord/lead sheet in front on me, really helps - though I've played a bit like this for a cover band or two, maybe I'm used to it. Though on a teeny phone screen I found it painful, precious few apps work for me on a phone.

klaasvakie The lessons alternated between the two channels which is why there are two playlists.

Nice find on the playlists - I also dig what Justinguitar is doing with Lee Anderton - is where I'm at on guitar a.t.m.

klaasvakie

V8 Nice find on the playlists - I also dig what Justinguitar is doing with Lee Anderton - is where I'm at on guitar a.t.m.

Yeah, I'm not as good as Lee, but the lessons hit the right spot for me as well. Maybe something about being an adult learner, I think many of the lessons out there assume that they are teaching for kids.

V8

klaasvakie Maybe something about being an adult learner,

You've nailed it - I like that he's taking what the C'ptn knows and works on that. I'm a rather lazy learner at the best of times, so working off what I know, to get to what I don't know really helps.

Bill-Rosenberg

I have really learnt a huge amount from Active Melody: https://www.activemelody.com/
Brian has a free portion, and a paid portion, and the free portion has given me more than enough to get on with.
If you sign up (still free), he e-mails you the lesson each week. I check it out, and if I like it, I download it (off YouTube) to work on at leisure.
Styles covered include, blues, rock, country, fingerstyle, hybrid picking, etc.
Sometimes he is on an electric, and sometimes an acoustic - lessons frequently work well on either.
The lesson always illustrates some particular technique, musical idea or theory, and he really explains things very well.
Tab is in the paid portion , so I write it out as I work through the piece, and that helps me remember it.
Usually the lesson gives you a complete piece, which is almost always an original, so you have something definite to play once you've done the lesson, and there will be a whole bunch of licks in there which you can add to you musical vocabulary.