Backing tracks have been around since the 1960s, but they used to be much harder to find and use than they are today. Now that backing tracks are available as MP3s, and you can play along with them on your phone or iPad, they’re so much easier to use. And just because you can play an instrument or sing, doesn’t mean that you’re ready to entertain a crowd. As any seasoned entertainer will tell you, high quality backing tracks are just one way to ensure you put on a professional show every time. In fact, using pre-recorded instrumental accompaniment is not just an option anymore; it’s practically mandatory if you want to take your performance up a notch or two.
So if you’re going to be performing a solo gig in the near future and you want some accompaniment tracks, here are 10 reasons why backing tracks might be the way to go!
Gone are the days of having to lug around a million instruments and sheet music for a gig. These days, backing tracks can be instantly downloaded from any number of websites. There’s no need to put anything in your car or risk leaving it anywhere! The accompaniments you need are only a click away.
If you’re an experienced soloist, you know that most gigs require musicians to play with an instrumental accompaniment (read: pre-recorded music). It can be difficult to sync your performance with a backing track, especially if it doesn’t have any percussion or live instruments on it. One of the best things about well recorded backing tracks is their natural tempo. They sound like real performers!
If you are heading out to an event where there will be a lot of people, it’s unlikely that you will have time to warm up. If your instrument does not have an amplifier or if you prefer not to use one, you can download MP3 backing tracks for your next solo gig which don’t require any amplification. Because they are in digital format, they also don’t need any sort of preparation or loading before playing them. You can simply insert them into your device and play when you arrive at the venue. This makes your life easier because you won’t have to rush around getting everything together while still needing some amount of pre-performance rehearsal.
MP3 backing tracks are extremely portable and always compatible with just about every device out there. You can load them into a mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone, and take them right on stage with you. This way, if your bandmates have to leave early because of a family emergency, you can still finish out your set without any trouble. Backing tracks can be played anywhere: you can play your backing tracks anywhere, anytime you like. You don’t need to lug a band around with you to get a big band sound.
While many performers do use backing tracks to help them perform, others simply prefer to use them so they can practice singing along with their instrument. If you’re not sure if you'll have a live band available, it’s good to have backing tracks on hand just in case. Because many backing tracks these days are specifically recorded with quality in mind, real musicians and instruments are used in the production of tracks. It's just like playing (or practicing) with the real deal.
When you’re a part of a band, other people are responsible for backing you up and ensuring your accompaniment is as good as it can be. When you’re on your own, though, those options aren’t always available to you. Having a selection of high-quality instrumental accompaniment tracks to play along with helps ensure that your next solo gig will sound just as good as it would if you had a full band backing you up.
A full orchestra costs thousands, backing tracks cost pennies. There’s an orchestra in your pocket, go for it - all for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
If there’s one thing that every performer should take seriously, it’s practicing. Practice makes perfect and it also helps you get better at performing your songs live in front of audiences without making mistakes. Backing tracks can be used as a great tool to practice with. They give you a chance to play along with a recording of another instrument, so you can have a jam session with yourself. You can slow them down, stop and rewind, as many times as you need to perfect that tricky phrase.
Using instrumental accompaniment tracks means you won’t have to worry about your audience missing out on high quality audio. The backing tracks you download or stream online are much higher quality than anything you could record at home. As long as your PA system is sized appropriately for the room, your listeners will always get the best sounding performance possible at your gigs.
If you know how to use a CD player or computer, then you know how to use a backing track. With MP3s in particular, all you need to do is find the file in your music library and press play!
