[dunkit2323]

I'm wondering if there is a way to tell when the backing track is on the last repeat. I always am soloing and then the end hits me...I never know when to play the head again. Any help?

 

[ericdano]

Um….you count? Don't all the charts in the book say 6 chorus or whatever for each song?

 

[Pete Thomas]

I have the same problem. I find it very difficult to count the number of choruses while playing. Try listening to see if there is any kind of clue, something in the rhythm section that is unique to the last or penultimate chorus.

Maybe there is a build up into it, or the bass switches from 4 back to 2.

 

[wheels410]

I also have this problem sometimes and it doesn't always help when the song says play 12 choruses. That's a long time, and yes, even when I'm trying to count, I get lost. Thinking about what to play often distracts me from how long to play.

Try something a little shorter, and I agree with Pete. Listening for a cue helps since it's the same every time.

 

[Wade Cornell]

I personally don't have any of the "play along" type tracks, but wonder if it's possible to copy into a simple eidt program and then cut it down to something one would prefer and be easier to keep track of (two to four choruses)? Many of these go on for way too long. I guess the idea is for a long practice, but they certainly don't make for a good listen (musically).

 

[35TangoTango]

I'm so glad to see this thread! I thought it was just me, and my aging memory!

 

[dexdex]

Any audio editing tool will allow you to cut out some choruses. On Windows, I use Audacity. It seems to me that the Hal Leonards do a better job by turning back to 1,3 bass lines on the last chorus.

 

[35TangoTango]

I guess one could use the same editing program to drop a chime sound in when the last chorus is about to start, also.

 

[dexdex]

Definitely. Good idea.

 

[Stretch]

The point of the play along is to help learn tunes and to practice improv. It's a tool to help performance but I don't think of it as a performance in itself. The true test of learning a new tune is to be able to play it by memory without any accompaniment, melody and changes of course.

 

[dunkit2323]

I guess one could use the same editing program to drop a chime sound in when the last chorus is about to start, also.

great idea

 

[evan1]

I have the same problem. I find it very difficult to count the number of choruses while playing. Try listening to see if there is any kind of clue, something in the rhythm section that is unique to the last or penultimate chorus.

Maybe there is a build up into it, or the bass switches from 4 back to 2.

Thats the teacher coming out in Pete. Well put. And Pete is 100% right, there is always and indication in the rythym section when its back to the top after the solos.

 

[C9OFF]

You could try a simple digital countdown timer, measure the time, set the timer & off you go - this will act as a crutch, and in no time (sorry!) at all I bet you'll start hearing the cues....

 

[ralph lh]

I, frankly wouldn't worry about this when playing with a CD. The real objective is to learn the tune - changes, melody etc. Forget all the other things that, yes, could be done as mentioned above. These are just time wasters and a distraction to keep you from playing!!

If you can't initally 'hear' the ending coming you will eventually. Typically on playalongs there is a cue of some sort - perhaps as mentioned a change to what the rhythm section is playing when going into the final chorus or the drummer hitting a cue just before the last couple of bars. This is what would happen on a gig after all. But, it is a good idea to learn to count how many as you play along with the CD.

 

[The Saxist]

Just nod toward the CD player when you're ready to take it out...

 

[Mark Fleming]

I find that there generally is a subtle clue for the fini, but I don't notice it when I'm repeatedly mangling the chorus. I just pretend that I'm the band leader and it's my stupid backup players that screwed the ending.

Adding a chime for the clue reminds me of something I did back in the dark ages of audio recording. I put a feedback squeal on the end of a compilation tape I made so that if I fell asleep the machine wouldn't run all night (this was prior to autostop). I still get an uncomfortable feeling at the end of a particular Creedence Clearwater tune because I'm anticipating that squeal.

Mark

 

[FawltyTenor]

+1

I find that there generally is a subtle clue for the fini...

I think the rhythm section does usually set-up the last chorus, for sure on the top it's often clear that it's the last time. If you play with a track a few times, you can listen for a specific "tell" in the rhythm section prior to the last time and use that as a queue.

 

[JL]

Just nod toward the CD player when you're ready to take it out...

LOL, my thought exactly! That's the way it happens on a gig of course. And a good rhythm section will respond to the soloist's cue and play something in turn to help take it out.

 

[gary]

I think the rhythm section does usually set-up the last chorus, for sure on the top it's often clear that it's the last time. If you play with a track a few times, you can listen for a specific "tell" in the rhythm section prior to the last time and use that as a queue.

You know you're near the last chorus - you listen really closely and you'll hear Ed Soph say, "Hey Dan, did you make sure and make that double Peperoni?"