Playing along with recorded music

[Andy Mopley]

What are your opinions on this, what do you consider the advantages or disadvantages of this, I seem to be able to come up with many more advantages, eg

Adv. - teaches correct tempo; intonation; allows player to understand the genre; builds confidence; improves co-ordination with other players; etc.??

Disadv. - can be seen as a shortcut to proper learning; if music balance not correct, may drown mistakes; etc.??

understanding that is not a substitute for playing in a group/orchestra...

And happy holidays to you all!!

[precijazz]

Playing along to records can be a great way to learn, as long as you are able to hear your mistakes and work on them. I don't mean just acoustically - you need to notice when your timing is off, for example, without a teacher telling you. Not everyone, especially as a beginner, can do this. If you can't, you will not get far. Still can be fun, though

[Bruce Lindfield]

I think this is the way most people learned - especially in the rock/pop field.

The only thing I would say is that for Jazz, you get a big shock and it is very different. As Bass player in Jazz, most of the time, the band is relying on you to provide the basic pulse and outline the chord changes. Other instruments can "lay out" and you have to be rock solid on where you are at all time - playing with recordings can't prepare you for this and you really have to get out there and do it.

There's nothing else to prepare you for the feeling you get when you know that it's all down to you and you can't necessarily rely on the drums bashing out the rhythm and guitar/keys providing the chords on every beat.

Playing along with records can't help you with self-reliance.

[Trayster2]

When my instructor gives me a song to learn, I practice it with recorded music once I think I have it down. The Amazing Slow Downer app is an awesome tool to learn songs with.