Everyone uses the app differently - your use case scenario does not represent every user. However, I'm not suggesting that you can't interact with the audio player - you can do that in many ways. You can use a touch action, pedal action, MIDI action, etc. I was mainly just saying that most users wouldn't be trying to adjust settings on the audio player, or going back and forth in the audio track, while actively performing. If you are using it as a learning aid - then sure, you are interacting with it more in that case, but that's not how every user uses the audio player. If you want to use an audio player outside the app, use a smart button as I suggested. Otherwise, I have already said that I can consider adding more pedal actions (i.e. keyboard shortcuts) and remove the focus issue so that you can do exactly what you are asking for - use space bar to start/stop and the arrow keys to fast forward or rewind. If you are saying you need something beyond that, then I'm willing to listen.
Mike
Mike