Here we are, the latest archive of all my sampled practice loops, mostly categorized by style, mostly with tempos. I also have folders with all the loops I use the most, and with the ones that will be most useful to the most people, in all styles.
Put them on your device and run them through headphones, and practice whatever you’re practicing. I think it’s the best way to practice, because:
A. It’s real music from real records. All the playalongs recorded for that purpose that I’ve used seem phony. Playing with them is not the same experience.
B. I believe your memory for recorded sounds is very good. Memorized recorded sounds are a natural form of this mythical “internal clock” people are so fond of theorizing about.
C. Because of that, I think this way of practicing is very good for your musical time— so long as you’re actively concentrating on your time and accuracy while you’re doing it. The only thing better is to play with a slow click— metronome sounding the 1 only, or every other 1. In fact you should do both of those things.
D. Playing with loops gives all the dumb things you have to practice a chance to sound like music— you play them musically, with a musical touch, in a way that matches the vibe of the recording. In essence you’re testing out musical ideas vs. the music of the loop.
E. It’s fun and tricks you into practicing longer.
Download the archive (5.7 GB)
In light of this splendid gift I’ve given you, this is a great time to contribute a little something to the site— a recurring cash contribution (see the sidebar), buy a book (sidebar), or buy one of these wonderful Cymbal & Gong cymbals you have inexplicably not bought yet. Or get some lessons— in person if you’re in Portland, or on line. I don’t make significant money through this site, so a few people doing any of those things are a big encouragement for me in doing it. Thanks! tb