How to Adjust Music Speed (Tempo)
Quick Answer
Audio Jam lets you slow down or speed up music from 0.25x to 2.0x without changing pitch.
How to use:
- Import and play any song
- Find the speed control (shows "1x") at bottom of screen
- Tap to open speed slider
- Drag slider or tap preset buttons
- Music plays at new speed instantly
Perfect for: Learning difficult parts slowly, building speed gradually, or speeding up for challenge.
What is Speed Adjustment?
Speed adjustment changes playback tempo:
- Slow down: 0.25x - 0.99x (25% to 99% speed)
- Normal: 1.0x (original speed)
- Speed up: 1.01x - 2.0x (101% to 200% speed)
Key feature: Pitch stays the same - no chipmunk effect!
Uses: ✅ Learn difficult passages slowly ✅ Build speed gradually ✅ Hear details clearly ✅ Practice technique ✅ Challenge yourself at faster speeds
How to Adjust Speed
Step 1: Play a Song
- Import song to Audio Jam
- Tap play button
- Song plays at normal speed (1.0x)
Step 2: Open Speed Control
Location: Bottom of playback screen
Look for: Speed indicator showing "1x" or "1.0x"
Action: Tap the speed indicator
Step 3: Adjust Speed
Method A: Use Slider
- Drag slider left (slower) or right (faster)
- Fine control over speed
- Real-time adjustment
Method B: Tap Preset Buttons
- Common speeds: 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, 1.0x, 1.25x, 1.5x, 2.0x
- Quick selection
- Popular practice speeds
Method C: Type Exact Value (if available)
- Enter precise speed
- Example: 0.87x, 1.13x
- Maximum precision
Step 4: Play at New Speed
- Music adjusts immediately
- Pitch remains unchanged
- All features work at any speed
Speed Range Guide
🐌 Very Slow: 0.25x - 0.5x
Best for:
- Extremely difficult passages
- Note-by-note learning
- Complex rhythms
- Fast solos or runs
- Transcription
Example uses:
- Learning shred guitar solo at 0.25x
- Hearing individual notes in fast run
- Understanding complex drum fill
- Transcribing jazz improvisation
Tip: Start here for very challenging material!
🐢 Slow: 0.5x - 0.75x
Best for:
- Difficult sections
- Building technique
- Learning new songs
- Practicing accuracy
- Developing muscle memory
Example uses:
- Learning difficult chord progression at 0.6x
- Practicing fast guitar riff at 0.7x
- Studying bass line at 0.65x
- Learning drum pattern at 0.75x
Tip: Most common practice speed range!
🚶 Moderate: 0.75x - 0.9x
Best for:
- Polishing technique
- Increasing speed
- Building confidence
- Transitioning to full speed
- Fine-tuning
Example uses:
- Almost ready for full speed
- Final practice before performance
- Building endurance
- Smoothing out rough spots
✅ Normal: 1.0x
Original song speed
- No modification
- As recorded
- Performance tempo
🏃 Fast: 1.0x - 1.5x
Best for:
- Building speed beyond original
- Challenge practice
- Developing technique
- Pushing limits
- Advanced training
Example uses:
- Practice at 1.2x to make 1.0x feel easy
- Build finger speed at 1.3x
- Challenge yourself at 1.4x
- Extreme practice at 1.5x
🚀 Very Fast: 1.5x - 2.0x
Best for:
- Extreme challenge
- Speed building
- Advanced technique
- Testing limits
- Fun experimentation
Example uses:
- Make original tempo feel slow
- Extreme speed practice
- Pushing technical boundaries
- Advanced training
Tip: If you can play at 1.5x, 1.0x will feel effortless!
Practice Workflows
Workflow 1: Slow Learning Method
Goal: Learn new difficult material
Steps:
- Start at 0.5x - Very slow, learn notes/movements
- Practice 10-20 repetitions - Build muscle memory
- Increase to 0.6x - Slightly faster
- Practice 10 repetitions - Maintain accuracy
- Increase by 0.05-0.1x - Gradual progression
- Repeat until 1.0x - Full speed mastery
Time: 20-30 minutes per section
Workflow 2: Speed Building Method
Goal: Increase speed on known material
Steps:
- Start at comfortable speed (e.g., 0.75x)
- Play perfectly 5 times - Ensure accuracy
- Increase by 0.05x - Small increment
- Play 3-5 times - Maintain quality
- If perfect, increase again - Continue progression
- If mistakes, decrease slightly - Consolidate
- Repeat until target speed - Gradual mastery
Key: Only increase when perfect!
Workflow 3: Challenge Method
Goal: Make original tempo feel easy
Steps:
- Learn at normal speed (1.0x) first
- Practice at 1.2x - Slightly faster
- Master at 1.2x - Build comfort
- Practice at 1.3x-1.5x - Push limits
- Return to 1.0x - Feels effortless!
Result: Original speed becomes easy
Workflow 4: Detail Study Method
Goal: Understand every detail
Steps:
- Slow to 0.25x-0.5x - Extremely slow
- Listen carefully - Hear every note
- Identify all elements - Notes, rhythm, technique
- Practice slowly - Perfect execution
- Gradually increase - Build to full speed
- Maintain details - Keep clarity at all speeds
Perfect for: Transcription, analysis, technique study
Combine with Other Features
🎵 Speed Adjustment + AB Loop
The ultimate practice combination!
Workflow:
- Create AB Loop around difficult section
- Slow to 0.5x - Very manageable
- Practice repeatedly - Loop plays automatically
- Increase speed gradually - 0.05x-0.1x at a time
- Master section - Perfect at full speed
Example:
- Loop: Guitar solo (4 bars)
- Start: 0.5x speed
- Practice: 10 reps at each speed
- Increase: Every 2-3 minutes
- Result: Master solo in 30 minutes
🎵 Speed Adjustment + Smart Metronome
Build perfect timing!
Workflow:
- Slow to 0.5x-0.75x
- Enable Smart Metronome
- Practice with click
- Lock in timing
- Increase speed gradually
- Maintain timing precision
Result: Rock-solid timing at all speeds
🎵 Speed Adjustment + Stem Separation
Practice with custom backing track!
Workflow:
- Separate stems
- Mute your instrument
- Slow to 0.5x-0.75x
- Practice with band
- Increase speed
- Build performance skills
Example:
- Mute: Guitar
- Speed: 0.6x
- Practice: Guitar part with drums/bass
- Result: Play in context, build timing
🎵 All Features Combined
Maximum practice effectiveness!
Setup:
- AB Loop - Difficult section (4 bars)
- Speed - Start at 0.5x
- Stem Separation - Mute your instrument
- Smart Metronome - Enable click
- Chord Analysis - View chords
Practice:
- Loop plays repeatedly at 0.5x
- Practice with backing track
- Click keeps timing
- See chord changes
- Increase speed every 5-10 reps
- Master section completely!
Speed Increment Strategies
Small Increments (0.05x)
Best for:
- Fine control
- Difficult material
- Building confidence
- Avoiding plateaus
Example progression: 0.50x → 0.55x → 0.60x → 0.65x → 0.70x...
Time: Slower progress, more solid
Medium Increments (0.1x)
Best for:
- Moderate difficulty
- Balanced progression
- Most practice situations
- Efficient learning
Example progression: 0.50x → 0.60x → 0.70x → 0.80x → 0.90x → 1.00x
Time: Good balance
Large Increments (0.25x)
Best for:
- Easy material
- Quick review
- Testing progress
- Advanced players
Example progression: 0.50x → 0.75x → 1.00x → 1.25x
Time: Fastest, less thorough
Practice Tips
✅ Start Slower Than You Think
Why:
- Build perfect technique from start
- Avoid learning mistakes
- Develop muscle memory correctly
- Progress faster overall
Rule: If it feels easy, you're at the right speed!
✅ Only Increase When Perfect
Criteria for increasing speed:
- 5-10 perfect repetitions
- No mistakes
- Relaxed and comfortable
- Consistent quality
If mistakes occur:
- Decrease speed slightly
- Practice more at current speed
- Don't rush progression
✅ Use Consistent Increments
Choose one increment size:
- 0.05x for difficult material
- 0.1x for moderate material
- Stick with it throughout session
Benefits:
- Predictable progress
- Easy to track
- Systematic improvement
✅ Practice at Multiple Speeds
Don't just practice at one speed:
- Warm up at slower speed
- Work at medium speed
- Challenge at faster speed
- Perform at target speed
Example session:
- 5 min at 0.6x (warm-up)
- 10 min at 0.75x (work)
- 5 min at 0.9x (challenge)
- 5 min at 1.0x (performance)
✅ Return to Slow Practice
Even after mastering:
- Regularly practice slowly
- Refine technique
- Maintain quality
- Prevent bad habits
Recommendation: 20-30% of practice time at slow speeds
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Starting Too Fast
Problem:
- Learn mistakes
- Develop tension
- Slow overall progress
Solution:
- Start at 0.5x or slower
- Build solid foundation
- Speed comes naturally
❌ Increasing Speed Too Quickly
Problem:
- Mistakes creep in
- Tension develops
- Quality decreases
Solution:
- Increase only when perfect
- Use small increments
- Be patient
❌ Skipping Intermediate Speeds
Problem:
- Large gaps in ability
- Inconsistent quality
- Plateaus
Solution:
- Practice at all speeds
- Use consistent increments
- Fill in the gaps
❌ Only Practicing Slowly
Problem:
- Can't perform at full speed
- Lack of performance skills
- Different feel at speed
Solution:
- Gradually increase to target speed
- Practice at multiple speeds
- Include full-speed practice
❌ Practicing with Mistakes
Problem:
- Learn incorrect patterns
- Hard to fix later
- Wasted practice time
Solution:
- Slow down until perfect
- Quality over quantity
- Perfect repetitions only
Speed for Different Skills
For Technique Building
Recommended speeds: 0.5x - 0.75x
- Focus on form
- Build muscle memory
- Develop efficiency
- Avoid tension
For Learning New Material
Recommended speeds: 0.5x - 0.7x
- Understand all elements
- Learn notes/rhythms
- Build confidence
- Establish patterns
For Polishing
Recommended speeds: 0.75x - 0.9x
- Refine details
- Smooth transitions
- Build consistency
- Prepare for performance
For Performance Preparation
Recommended speeds: 0.9x - 1.0x
- Build endurance
- Develop confidence
- Simulate performance
- Final preparation
For Challenge/Advanced
Recommended speeds: 1.0x - 1.5x
- Push boundaries
- Build speed reserve
- Develop technique
- Make target speed easy
Troubleshooting
Audio Quality Decreases at Slow Speeds
This is normal:
- Extreme time-stretching affects quality
- More noticeable at 0.25x-0.4x
- Still usable for practice
Tips:
- Use highest quality source files
- Accept slight quality loss for learning benefit
- Focus on notes/rhythm, not tone
Can't Keep Up Even at Slow Speed
Solutions:
- Go even slower (0.25x)
- Break into smaller sections
- Practice hands/parts separately
- Simplify temporarily
Progress Plateaus
Try:
- Decrease speed, focus on quality
- Practice at multiple speeds
- Take break, return fresh
- Analyze technique for issues
Feels Different at Full Speed
This is normal:
- Different feel at different speeds
- Need practice at target speed
Solution:
- Practice at all speeds
- Spend time at 0.9x-1.0x
- Build speed gradually
- Include full-speed practice regularly
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What speed should I start at? A: For difficult material, start at 0.5x. Adjust based on comfort - should feel easy.
Q: How much should I increase speed each time? A: 0.05x-0.1x increments work well. Smaller for difficult material.
Q: Does slowing down affect pitch? A: No! Audio Jam maintains original pitch at all speeds.
Q: Can I speed up beyond original tempo? A: Yes! Up to 2.0x (double speed) for challenge practice.
Q: How long should I practice at each speed? A: Until you can play perfectly 5-10 times. Usually 5-10 minutes.
Q: Should I always start slow? A: For new or difficult material, yes. For review, start at comfortable speed.
Q: What's the slowest useful speed? A: 0.25x is extreme but useful for very difficult passages or transcription.
Q: Will practicing slowly make me play slowly? A: No! Slow practice builds technique. Gradually increase to full speed.
Q: Can I use speed adjustment with all features? A: Yes! Works perfectly with AB Loop, Stem Separation, Smart Metronome, and Chord Analysis.
Q: Does speed adjustment work offline? A: Yes! All processing is on-device.