Open a song and practise it your way: slow it down without the pitch dropping, move it into your key, loop the tricky bar and let the trainer raise the tempo a little every few repeats until you can play it at full speed.
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Decoding audio…
0:00.0 / 0:00.0
Pitch stays the same. Shortcut: ↑ / ↓ (±5%).
Tempo stays the same. Shortcut: + / −.
Turn on to raise the speed automatically after each few loops of the A-B section.
Markers
Saves the loop (or the whole song) at the current speed and key.
Keyboard shortcuts
Space play / pause
A / B set loop start / end
L loop on / off
←→ seek 5 s (Shift 1 s)
↑↓ speed ±5%
+− transpose ±1 semitone
Home back to A / start
M add marker, 1-9 jump to marker
R reset speed and key
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How to use the Song Practice Player
Open a song: drop an MP3, WAV, M4A, OGG or FLAC file (or a video) on the box. A demo riff is loaded so you can try everything first.
Mark the hard part: Shift-drag across the waveform, drag the A and B handles, or press A and B while it plays. Turn on Loop A-B.
Slow it down with the Speed slider or presets. The pitch stays the same, so you can play along in tune.
Change the key with Transpose if the song is tuned down or you want to sing it lower, and use Fine tune to match a slightly sharp or flat recording.
Turn on the speed-up trainer to start slow and gain a few percent every couple of loops until you reach full speed.
Save it: press Download practice WAV to keep the loop at your settings for practice away from the computer.
Practice speeds and what they are good for
Speed
Original 120 BPM becomes
Typical use
25% to 40%
30 to 48 BPM
Hearing each note of a very fast run while transcribing
50%
60 BPM
Learning fingering and picking for a new solo
70% to 80%
84 to 96 BPM
Playing along cleanly once the notes are known
90% to 95%
108 to 114 BPM
Building confidence just below performance tempo
100%
120 BPM
Full speed, the goal
105% to 110%
126 to 132 BPM
Over-speed practice so the real tempo feels comfortable
The new tempo is simply the original tempo multiplied by the speed: 120 BPM × 0.75 = 90 BPM. The length of the loop is divided by the speed, so a 4-second phrase at 50% lasts 8 seconds.
Transpose reference
Semitones
Interval
Frequency ratio
When it helps
−1
Half step down
0.944
Play along with a standard-tuned guitar when the band tuned down to E♭, or vice versa
−2
Whole step down
0.891
Songs recorded in D standard, or a lower key for singing
+2 / +3
Whole step / minor third up
1.122 / 1.189
Move a song into a higher vocal range or a brighter key
±5 / ±7
Fourth / fifth
1.335 / 1.498 (up)
Hear a part in a different position or key
±12
Octave
2.0 / 0.5
Bring a bass line up an octave so it is easier to hear
Each semitone multiplies the frequency by 21/12 ≈ 1.0595. Fine tune moves in cents (1/100 of a semitone): use it when a recording is slightly sharp or flat compared with A = 440 Hz.
Tips for faster progress
Loop short pieces: one or two bars at a time are learned far faster than a whole verse.
Add a one or two second pause between repeats if you need time to reset your hands.
Only move the speed up after three clean repeats in a row; the trainer's "every 2-3 loops" setting mimics this.
Practise a little above full speed (105-110%) before you perform, then the original tempo feels relaxed.
Name markers after song sections so you can jump with the number keys while holding your instrument.
Frequently asked questions
How can I slow down a song without changing the pitch?
The player uses a time-stretching method called WSOLA. It cuts the audio into short overlapping slices and repeats or skips slices in a way that keeps the waveform continuous, so the music plays slower while each note keeps its original pitch. Changes to the speed slider are heard immediately.
How does transposing work without changing the tempo?
To raise the key, the audio is first time-stretched to be longer and then resampled faster, which raises every pitch by the chosen number of semitones and brings the length back to the original. One semitone is a frequency ratio of the twelfth root of 2, about 1.0595.
What speed should I practise at?
A common approach is to start at a speed where you can play the passage cleanly, often 50% to 70% for fast solos, and increase in small steps of 2% to 5% only after a few clean repetitions. The gradual speed-up trainer automates exactly this.
Does slowing down reduce the sound quality?
Moderate changes sound natural. Very slow speeds such as 25% to 40% can make drums and other sharp sounds smear or echo slightly, because each short slice is repeated many times. The notes and pitches you are learning remain clear.
Can I use it to transcribe a solo by ear?
Yes. Zoom into the waveform, loop one phrase, slow it to 50% and add markers for each section. Pitch stays correct at any speed, so you can find the notes on your instrument while it plays.
What does the karaoke channel mode do?
It subtracts the right channel from the left. Vocals and other sounds mixed in the centre of a stereo recording cancel out, while instruments panned to the sides remain. Results depend on how the song was mixed, and mono files go silent in this mode.
Are my songs uploaded anywhere?
No. Files are decoded and processed by your browser on your own device. Markers are saved only in your browser's local storage.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.