Backing tracks in live performance

Information about availability of backing tracks

Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby noelford » 28 Dec 2015, 20:07

Well, I have to say that I have yet to meet any of these 'critics' at a live gig.

I'm sure my friend, guitarist Ken Gilbert, with whom I do a good proportion of those gigs that I play these days, would back me up when I say that the only comments we get from our listeners are complimentary - they tell us how much they enjoy the sort of music we are playing and the fact that we use backing track is never, ever queried.

Backing tracks aren't a prop for a poor player. A poor player will not sound any better with a backing track than with live band. Backing tracks, used properly, simply provide the 'canvas' upon which a good player can work his or her musical artwork.
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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby Pol » 28 Dec 2015, 20:46

noelford wrote: Backing tracks, used properly, simply provide the 'canvas' upon which a good player can work his or her musical artwork.

Pioneer of backing tracks Les Paul. Here demonstrating the loop device of his own design that he used for live gigs in the 1950`s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx1YW8SEygo

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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby dave robinson » 28 Dec 2015, 23:40

Sorry to have to say this, but whatever slant you try to put on it, the use of backing tracks is karaoke, that's what the word means. At the end of the day it's just a means to an end, although there is a bit more credibility if the player has made his own tracks. I've criticism for 36 years and during that time made a living using and selling tracks, even though I wouldn't cross the street to see anyone who does the same thing. I've heard the opinions of the 'critics' and to me it was water off off a ducks back, the reason for making my own BTs was because the provided accompaniment in clubs was largely unusable and pubs didn't have any, but I made a lot of cash working every night in pubs and clubs from 1979 through to 1999 until I got a live band again. On a commercial basis the bottom fell out of it when people began to give my work away, but I have no complaints how things turned out. :)
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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby noelford » 29 Dec 2015, 10:02

Whatever the original definition of Karaoke is, Dave (I believe the Japanese is 'empty orchestra'), I think the one being referred to in this topic is the all encompassing one of amateur singers performing in clubs, pubs, etc. to backing track and reading the words from a screen. Like many words, the original definition has evolved and, in the case of Karaoke, it has come to be used in a derogatory way.I think there is quite a big difference between that sort of thing and backing tracks being used by a skilled performer.

Of course, in an ideal situation, we would all love to play with a live back line, but the fact is that it's not possible for many of us.
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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby neil2726 » 29 Dec 2015, 17:09

Backing tracks were and are great for the solo singers who in the past had to carry sheet music around and hope the club had a decent organist/drummer. They are great for the bedroom player of course. The downside that I noticed plating in bands in clubs from the 60s was that the clubs soon realised they could book a solo singer with backing tracks cheaper than a full band.
The audience got the full band sound and were mostly happy with that. Bands however found it harder to get bookings as backing track singers became more popular and quite a few band singers went solo as they could earn more as a solo act!
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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby noelford » 29 Dec 2015, 19:10

Of course, the ultimate live-music killer has to be the Disco.
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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby Gary Allen » 29 Dec 2015, 19:35

If a major artist uses a bt,it's usually an overall good production and performance,for anyone else it's just karaoke,
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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby noelford » 29 Dec 2015, 20:23

Why?

You don't have to be a 'major artiste' to give a good performance. You just need to play well and in an entertaining way. I use backing tracks but create my own lead arrangements for many of the numbers I play. On some tracks, I create a completely different lead, from start to finish, much of it improvised. Even on some well known numbers, including Shads, I use the backing track as a basis for a different and creative interpretation of the original arrangement.

I'm not a major artiste.

I do use backing tracks.

I never do 'karaoke'.
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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby Admin » 29 Dec 2015, 20:51

Just to add fuel to the discussion:

The Shadows used backing tracks on their final tours.

Tracks come in varying degrees of complexity.
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Re: Backing tracks in live performance

Postby tolo » 29 Dec 2015, 21:23

Admin wrote:Just to add fuel to the discussion:

The Shadows used backing tracks on their final tours.

Tracks come in varying degrees of complexity.

Whoa - reverse! I can believe that they used midi tracks and maybe had sequenced VI's to 'enhance' the performance (pretty routine practice) - but pre recorded, mixed backing tracks as in the context of this thread? I don't think so. So who was miming then - as is the suggestion here? This is not particularly complex music or has any difficult arrangements. I cannot believe that reproducing it absolutely live would ever be a problem. Also I cannot ever recall seeing BB with an earphone or sync in a live performance?

There is a huge difference between 'backing tracks' in this context and professional live music production capabilities as used by most major artistes routinely. Let's be careful.
Last edited by tolo on 29 Dec 2015, 22:02, edited 1 time in total.
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