Just joined the forum. I’m a 60 year old beginner (1 1/2 years) guitarist (I played when I was younger but never got good.) I’ve been using a popular online instructors free stuff as well as a paid app. What I’ve discovered is that the paid app has practice songs that allow you to play whole songs which is really helping me get timing down and advance my learning. The app allows for playing a given song with melody, bass line, drums and guitar (i turn off guitar because that’s my part). I’m finding that a metronome is terribly boring. I also like finding Youtube instructional videos and looping the parts I’m trying to learn. Very fun but usually no drums. I also like trying to learn specific songs but would love a way to have the drum parts. Can BeatBuddy help fill some of these gaps? I’m trying to keep it fun so i can continue to improve.
Very much interested in any/all feedback because I’ve got a lot to learn.
Just my opinion, but I have recommended the BeatBuddy to a couple of people I have been giving guitar lessons to for a while, and they love it… As you pointed out, a metronome can be pretty boring, and keeping it fun is important… I noticed a definite improvement with their timing after a little while as well…
Not sure if you noticed, but there are hundreds of songs available here on the forums that have bass as well as drums, and a good number of them also have keyboards, etc… There are a few talented people around here that have been kind enough to put them together and post them for us to use with the BeatBuddy…
Thanks for the feedback. It’s the fun part that keeps us practicing when the fingers and hands start to hurt.
So, regarding the song capability: I could download a song (I’ve been working on “Money Talks” by AC/DC) load it into the BeatBuddy and all I have to do is play the guitar? Is it possible to loop a tricky part say just 10-15 seconds worth?
You can only loop parts if the song is constructed to have looping parts. Most of the forum songs do not.
You can download the BB Manager software without having pedal and load the factory default content and forum songs and drum kits to try the system out. Then you can see how it would work. There is a virtual pedal on the BB Manager software that functions like the pedal.
It’s never too late to pursue your passion. I can relate to your journey - I also picked up the guitar later in life and understand the challenge of getting back into it after some time away.
I can totally relate to your journey as a beginner guitarist, especially since I also picked up the guitar later in life. Like you, I’ve been using a mix of free and paid resources to hone my skills, and I totally get what you mean about the metronome feeling a bit monotonous.
When I stumbled upon some music lessons online, it was like a game-changer for my practice sessions. Being able to jam along with drums really brought my playing to life and helped me nail down timing and rhythm in a much more enjoyable way. Plus, like you, I love looping parts from YouTube tutorials, but having those drum parts integrated takes it to a whole new level of fun and progress.
Having drum tracks to play along with makes a huge difference—it keeps things more interesting and really helps with timing.
What worked for me was mixing tools like that with some proper lessons. I took a few on https://www.artmaster.com, and it was super helpful. My teacher walked me through songs and techniques step by step, and combining that with loops and drum tracks made it all click a lot faster.
Welcome to the site. I have played guitar for decades. Have met many people that wanted to learn to play. Most of them never learned a chord nor a song. My suggestion is to learn how to play first-and-foremost. If you reach “a certain level”, then get a BB. No slight to those who are thinking of learning an instrument. But the BB (in my opinion) is for musicians that have reached “a certain point”. It seems like too much for a new musician. Spend the precious time learning that instrument and not fiddling around with BB at this point. Singular Sound marketing won’t like this, but truth be told. Along the lines of that first guitar. Buy something cheap. If you figure it out and “get it”, then get a Les Paul.
I have been dabbling with guitar for many years and call myself a beginner because I can play a few chord shapes i.e. cowboy and barre chords but get lost playing songs all the way through usually because of timings and rhythm. I just wondered if this would help me with that side of learning really. I have 3 decent guitars which I have brought over the years with a modeller and a small frfr cabinet and now want to improve my playing.
My view is slightly different and is based on hindsight. I’ve been playing guitar for many years and I learned to play by ear. One of my weaknesses that my bandmates pointed out was that my timing was not very good. I never followed a disciplined approach to practicing.
Using the BeatBuddy (BB) has helped me to improve my rhythm and timing. Nowadays, I regret not starting out with a metronome when learning and practicing. Wish I had the BB back then…
Your improvement at playing any instrument comes when you take a disciplined approach to practice—whether you use a metronome, Soundbrenner, a BB or not, they’re just a tool to help you improve and play better.
If you have not bought a BB pedal yet, consider trying the BBMO. You’ll have to download the default content to your computer but see if using any of the beats to practice with helps. The beats for the metronome genre may be as good a starting point as any. If you believe that you’re making progress, and are going to stick with it, then one of the Singular Sound offerings might be your next step.
I know my timing is terrible as I have never used a metronome and have never played with other musicians.
I was trying to stay away from a pc type device/software as it’s another thing to start up/get out when I get a few minutes to practice but it might be worth giving it a go before buying a BB pedal if I get on with the software.
I love my BB and have preformed live with it and practiced with it many many times.
As a beginner guitarist you will definitely benefit from one, however, taking nothing away from the BB - you could start with a simpler drum machine or even iPad / phone beatmaker to see how you get on and then invest ( time and money) in the BB.
I have a Valeton GP200 which has drums in it but I find it awkward to use along with the other parts of the multi effects unit so I was hoping for a separate option which was easy to use hence looking into the BB option. I’m going to download the BBMO to see how I get on with that first as suggested to see how I get on with the software.