Backing Tracks in a Gig Setting

[Blankandson]

I can't find my photo I took but in 1967 the 1910 Fruit Gum Company (Yummy Yummy Yummy . . .) did a concert at Missouri State. On a table behind the singer was a tall reel-to-reel player. During almost every song the singer would turn around and hit 'play' for about 30 seconds, then stop it and go back to singing. On almost every song. I didn't know back then to laugh or get angry. Grrrrrr

 

[hrodbert696]

It's a tool, and like any tool, it just depends on how it's used. I've never used them myself, and I'm reluctant to, partly for the sake of flexibility (what if we want to vamp a bit or stretch a solo out?) and partly out of concern for my own shortcomings (what if I miss a transition and then we're off the track?). I have known a group that uses that, not too excessively. The drummer (only) has a click in his ear and triggers the track and everyone else follows the drummer. It seemed to work well for them.

 

[tfer]

Part of the fun of doing covers, is stripping down the arrangements to its most vital parts, and then finding a way to recreate them as well as you possibly can.

Using various effects, I play the sax line in Turn The Page, the horns in Sweet Caroline, I double some power chords in various rock songs, etc.

Finding the essentials of a song, and being creative in finding ways for various band members to play them, is how I believe it should work. We aren't trying to perfectly recreate a song; we are putting our spin on it.

If my band wanted to use backing tracks, they'd need to start auditioning bass players.

 

[alack]

The purist in me says "No! Never!" But after considering the question with an open mind, I think it could be fun and present a new challenge provided the tracks only supply pieces of the arrangement that can't be covered by a live musician currently in the group. If I'm reduced to pretending to play while a bass track pumps through the house, then I'm out.