Learn Guitar Faster Using Jam Tracks

This week I have a couple fun updates involving the video jam tracks on my Song Notes website. These play-along tracks are an incredibly helpful way to get more out of your practice sessions, while also having fun along the way.

Don't miss my new video lesson (showing how I make jam tracks) below, but first let me show you how to find my jam track library...

BROWSE ALL MY JAM TRACKS

I've made several dozen video jam tracks, in addition to several other audio play-along tracks to accompany many of my lessons.

Each jam track loops through one (or several) chord progressions, which I display on screen. As each track plays, the current chord is highlighted... making it easy for you to follow along. Here's what they look like:

Open my Jambox web tool to see and hear them all for yourself!

This week I added some new navigation to this page, and also grouped the tracks by category (song-inspired, blues, single chord, and drums/percussion).

Each jam track includes a link to any lessons that use that jam track when I teach or perform the song. These are meant for you to play along with while learning any song.

I craft each jam track to evoke the vibe of the song I'm teaching. I'll add drums, bass, and sometimes other instruments (guitar, organ, strings) make it feel like you're in a band. Just add the guitar part I teach, and you'll be off to the races.

MAKING JAM TRACKS in GARAGEBAND

I also made this brand new lesson showing how I create the various jam tracks found on my site. I use GarageBand, which is my DAW (digital audio workstation) of choice. In my video, I walk you through my process in creating a new jam track from scratch:

▶️ Click to watch free video lesson​

The tutorial above shows I make the audio portion (using GarageBand) for each track, walking you through each step in real-time. I talk about the importance of having a plan, then turn that plan into realty bit by bit.

I learned all this mainly by going through these paces over and over. Each time it gets a little bit easier. Using any DAW (digital audio workstation) can be tricky at first, but time it becomes second nature.

Don't miss my part 2 and part 3 videos, where I show how I create the video portion of each track. I also demonstrate how to change the tempo (speed) of a jam track, in case you want to create a slowed down version for easier practice.

​View Part 2 and Part 3 on my lesson #621 webpage »​

COMING SOON

I've been working on Dreams by The Cranberries, the jam track for which inspired this recent lesson. Stay tuned for that one... a lot of you have requested it over the years.

I've also been working on a chilled-out, acoustic version of Ramble On by Led Zeppelin after hearing Robert Plant's amazing performance with Saving Grace on Colbert:

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Both of these are Key of E songs I've had a blast getting under my belt. Once I get these wrapped up, I'll return to tie up some various loose ends to my Travis Picking Essentials course.

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next one ✌️

David
​Browse all my lessons at songnotes.net​