I like (ok, try) to use a metronome or to even play along with tunes when practicing to keep myself honest rhythmically. Otherwise I can fall into idiosyncratic timing. There’s an app called strum machine that plays bluegrass rhythm guitar for dozens of tunes to practice with when playing the melody. Like having your own backing band. Anything like that available for Irish trad? Rhythm guitar or even (heaven forbid) bodhran? I saw something in the Apple App Store for bodhran, but was curious if anybody uses practice aids like these.
I’ve dabbled with “BandLab” for multi-track recording + editing.
With it, you can listen + record simultaneously (using earphones).
Don’t know about canned tracks. I try to make my own.
Also, “abcmus” has a feature to auto-gen backing chords.
If I understand you correctly, you’re looking for a “band” to play with, I use the recordings from Dan Compton Irish Session classes. He has 69 albums, at $5.00 an album. They usually consist of 8 to 10 sets, 1 to 3 tunes for each set. The first time through played at or near session speed on the fiddle accompanied by the guitar and sometimes Box and flute . Then each tune is played slower, fiddle only so you can learn the tune. Originally they were CD’s, now they’re downloads.
His web site is https://irishsessiontunes.com/classes The quality of his recordings are good and Dan is a good musician. Many of the tutorials only play through once, while Dan will play through the first time through twice to three time, and then twice on the slower version. They are played as a learning tool, so for me a little easier to follow than just playing with a random Cd or recording.
If you search “Bodhran metronome” on YouTube, there’s a guy named Jon Antonsson who has a channel with (among other things) a bunch of 10-minute bodhran metronome tracks. You can pick a reel, jig, or slip jig at a wide choice of tempos. I have a tendency to habitually rush certain tune bits (man, I’m terrible about rushing rolls), and I find that practicing with these helps keep me honest.
Sounds like a good resource!
Here is my go to backing track channel for practice. It’s so good, I now get annoyed at the rubbish backers at my local sessions.
https://youtube.com/@traditionalmusicaccompaniment?si=YQ4sD6G3Jz4bqs9q