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Message 562
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I found out about Amazing Slow Downer on the old "Dobro Players Tune of the Week
Page" back around 1999 when I first started in on the dobro. (Wonder how Troy
Allen is these days, what a good guy). Over the years the program has been
upgraded many times and it really is "Amazing". I use it every few days,
mostly to figure out fantastic breaks that I learn and then forget because they
are so far beyond my ability to integrate into my playing. But little bits and
pieces do seem to make their way into my limited vocabulary here and there. Just
last week I was working on Jerry's break in "Dreadful Snakes" on the Dreadful
Snakes record. (If anyone can explain how he gets from the 7th fret to the 2nd
fret without missing a beat at that blistering speed I'd be grateful! I guess I
know the answer - its because it's Jerry!)
One of the best things about ASD is the way it lets you hear the pattern of
hammer ons and pull offs and when open strings are being played. Another is how
you can get a feel for the timing of the bluesy slides that Josh does by slowing
down the tempo and mimicing his bar movement. With ASD, the subtle aspects of
playing are much easier to understand, if not to master. Also, the ease with
which you can move from one passage to the next with one or two mouse clicks.
And the program saves the songs you have played in a "history status bar" so you
don't have to go rummaging through Windows Explorer looking for the directory you
downloaded the song to when you want to work on the same tune in the future. If
you are playing from a cd, you can save the track to your song directory.
I know some folks pride themselves on being able to do make do with the
utilities which Windows provides, but ASD is so much better, faster, easier, etc.
that you'll be kicking yourself for not getting it sooner. And, its a free
download that lets you try it out before plunking down your cash. So what have
you got to lose?
While I'm at it, I might as well put in a plug for Rhapsody. For 9.95/month you
can stream any well known song and many obscure songs from every genre of music,
bluegrass included. No need to dig through your vinyl collection, or your pile
of cd's. Just type the song title, or artists name, hit play and its right
there. Listen to individual songs, whole albums, make up playlists, etc. Good
stuff. You can download to your mp3 player, if you have one.
Have fun,
Steve
ryan.orr@att.net wrote:
>
> I am looking at purchasing the Amazing slow downer software. and I was
> wondering if you folks know of anything better to learn licks from.
Looking
> forard to your answers.
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