How can I slow recordings of tunes and songs down to make them easier to learn?
One popular and low-cost option is to • copy the recording onto your computer as a WAV or MP3 file, using applications such as CDex for Windows, iTunes for Mac, or paranoia for linux. • use playback software to play that file and slow the music down (whilst, crucially, either retaining or deliberately altering the original pitch of the recording). Satisfied users have suggested Transcribe (Windows, Mac, linux), the Amazing SlowDowner (Windows, Mac), and the Audacity audio editor (Windows, linux) supports LADSPA plugins, one of which will do time-shifting. The Transcribe website also maintains a page of links to other transcribing software packages. Many professional sound editing packages also have this facility of course, but they come with professional software price-tags to match.
