Whenever I’m learning a new lick, riff or scale, I always find it best to start off slowly then gradually get faster until I can play it faster than actually I need to, then it’s always a relief to play it at the correct speed 8). To help you do this, I’ve put together a range of drum backing tracks in various time signatures for you to practice your licks and riffs over.
They all start at 70BPM and very gradually get faster and faster (up to a ridiculous 194BPM) over 6 minutes. As you do not notice the increase in speed at first it makes learning a riff much easier, and it’s always fun to try and push yourself further than you got before. I’ve also put fills in every 4 or 8 bars and made them nice and punchy.
Have fun, but please, don’t wear your fingers down!
Copy the link into the address bar to download
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3/4 http://intellectualmusician.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/3-4rock.mp3
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4/4 http://intellectualmusician.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/4-4rock.mp3
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5/4 http://intellectualmusician.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/5-4rock.mp3
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6/8 http://intellectualmusician.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/6-8rock.mp3
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7/8 http://intellectualmusician.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/7-8rock.mp3
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9/8 http://intellectualmusician.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/9-8rock.mp3
Any questions / suggestions: lessons.music@gmail.com or leave a comment 
more articles by James Mulvale
- Killer Finger Exercises 1
- Home Recording Techniques Part II
- More Music Stationary (Manuscript / SATB / Piano / Strumming Charts)
- Blank Stationary for Guitar / Bass / Mandolin / Banjo
- How Music Works part I
- Home Recording Techniques part I (Setup/Sequencers/MIDI basics)
