Playalongs are very good. I used them as well. When I was training to walk bass, I used Ron Carter walks that were recorded with just drums and a piano playing the basic chords so that I could walk with it. And someone even thought enough to realize that these recordings might go too fast for a student and re-recorded them playing a half-speed so that those fast, tricky areas could be distinctly heard. Makes all the difference.
I have also used YT as a guide. When I play jazz, blues or ragtime guitar--I NEVER use a pick. I play with my bare fingers. I can't use fingerpicks--bass-player's fingers, I just can't get used to them but the intricacies of the music preclude using a plectrum.
But, anyway, playalongs are, IMO, a necessary training device.
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