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Anyone on this site Backing tracks are not just for karaoke performers, but also for other performing artists. This information will help you take your band to the next stage if you're in one. This is especially true if you are performing with a tribute band or cover group. backing tracks for bands Since years, I have been singing and playing with various rock bands. The majority of the time, my performances are well received by audiences. I used to choose songs we performed by how well we could perform them on stage. It was about whether we could cover all of the parts required to make a hit song and do it justice. Sometimes a song will require keyboards so crucial to the song, that it would be impossible to do without them. We couldn't do it justice. So, rather than ruin the song we would put it on the shelf as a song we wished we could do. I did not see the point in hiring a keyboardist to only play in 20% at most of the songs, so it was more sensible to skip the song. In time, I joined a group that used backing tracks for complex backing vocals as well as piano parts. I realized how valuable these tracks were to performers. That meant that the very difficult backing vocals could be spot on every time and the back up singers could sing easier lines when playing live, giving the back ups a lot of depth. The music was also greatly improved. Audience members don't notice that a band is using tracks. They only know that this band sounds better than the last band, but they don't understand why. You can find the answer in the tracks. The lead singer can harmonize to his own voice more easily than someone else can do it so he should be the one getting recorded. Be careful not to put in too much though or you risk the show becoming a karaoke act. An important point to consider is what to do if you have technical problems. You must have a plan B. You have to know your show. I've been onstage and had the monitor system fail and not been able to hear the backing tracks and had to rely on the drummer keeping proper time. Using the tracks he has a click track in his left ear he should at least be able to keep time. The click comes from a track with a click on one side, and the song on the other. Using a small mixer on stage he can send the music the main mixing console and nobody in the audience will hear the click track. Top backing tracks You can give your performance a competitive edge by using backing tracks. This will help you stand out from other bands on your circuit or in your area. I will always use them now and am happy to because all the songs that I put on the shelf in the years gone by can now be done properly. | 