Where do I start with iReal pro? So many choices…

[Piano_by_joel]

Device Type

1. iPhone & iPad

This app was recommended to me as an easy, beginner backing track option. I may have made a mistake. I don’t even see where new piano player users are supposed to start. Any ideas? There are many things to click on. However, I am so new that I don’t know what I am looking for other than step by step starter instructions.

 

[pdxdjazz]

The iReal pro app is used by musicians of all levels, instruments and styles.
This wonderful app meets you wherever you are along your musical path and will be valuable support on your musical journey no matter what direction you choose.

iReal pro is a chord charts only music app. The app translates those thousands of chord charts into very musical backing tracks with one or more user selectable chordal instruments plus the bass of your choice and a drummer. Your “band” will play a backing track for the song chart you choose in the style you choose. You set the tempo and the key.
iRp is not a karaoke app. It makes no attempt to copy the “sound” of any familiar band or recording.
Using the player’s mixer feature, in addition to changing instruments, you can adjust (or mute) their individual volume.

The app comes with some onboard exercise charts.
Adding songs to your App Library:
First, import the main (quick start) playlists of familiar songs from the forums.
There are thousands more song charts you can import from the Forums.
There are thousands main playlists will get you started.

Answers to most of your questions are built in the app.
At the top of any chart, select the magnifying glass icon.
Explore EVERYTHING that hides there a little at a time.

How to start?
You are a piano guy.
Pick a chart for a song you already know how to play
Set the iRp chart’s key to match your preference.
In the mixer, slide the piano volume to off.
Choose a style (like medium swing)
Set the tempo …try 80.
Push play and sit-in with your new trio (you + bass and drums).
Beats the socks off playing with a metronome.
Enjoy
)BOB

 

[pietercuijpers]

This app was recommended to me as an easy, beginner backing track option. I may have made a mistake. I don’t even see where new piano player users are supposed to start. Any ideas? There are many things to click on. However, I am so new that I don’t know what I am looking for other than step by step starter instructions.

It will require a bit of instruction if you are a complete beginner at an instrument.

IRP is an aide for providing accompaniment to a song, or an aide for practicing playing accompaniment yourself. But to understand the basics, you will need a bit of knowledge of how accompaniment works.

 

[pdxdjazz]

Traditional music instruction views music as melody lines with specific notes in a specific order played in precise time. You can play with others only when everyone is playing the same sheet music.

iReal pro views music as a chord progression. Many different songs share the same (or similar) chord progressions.

Instead of focusing on the letters that make up the words that form a sentence, iRp is focused on the the phrases that form the paragraph.

As long as players are following the “road map” provided by the iRp chord chart, they can “jam” together.

iRp let’s you learn about chords and progressions by experimenting with them in the context of songs you already have in your head.

Music is supposed to be fun. With iReal pro it is!

)BOB