Performing with Backing Tracks...
For almost any band, performing with backing tracks is a perfect way for you to
add an element of professionalism to your show that most bands don’t seem to be
taking advantage of. You’ll see backing tracks being used primarily by tribute
bands but they’re really suitable for any cover band, or even original bands for
that matter.
Using tracks onstage is something that can take a little bit of work though. First of all you need to decide who is going to be in control of the tracks. It can be anybody in the band but most often it’s the drummer. He will be wearing headphones of some sort and will play along to the track with the click track going in his left ear and the music in his right ear. I’ve seen some drummers that only wear the left ear and listen to the click and just use the music from the monitors as a cue as to where they are in the song. Either way works but be sure to practice and know what you’re
going to do to operate your system because the stage is no the place to be trying to figure it out.
Check out the video below to see how keyboard backing tracks can help your band perform a wider variety of songs...
Using tracks onstage is something that can take a little bit of work though. First of all you need to decide who is going to be in control of the tracks. It can be anybody in the band but most often it’s the drummer. He will be wearing headphones of some sort and will play along to the track with the click track going in his left ear and the music in his right ear. I’ve seen some drummers that only wear the left ear and listen to the click and just use the music from the monitors as a cue as to where they are in the song. Either way works but be sure to practice and know what you’re
going to do to operate your system because the stage is no the place to be trying to figure it out.
Check out the video below to see how keyboard backing tracks can help your band perform a wider variety of songs...
My suggestion is that everybody should know their part well enough to be able to
play it without the backing track. I’ve been on stage and have seen where there
may be a problem with the monitors, for example. The next thing you know, the
drummer is starting the song and you can’t hear where you are. You really have
to know the song well enough that you could play it without the drummer or the
rest of the band being there. I’ve done whole songs and not been able to hear
them. It's not a very comfortable feeling but things happen onstage at times
that are out of your control and you need to be able to deal with those problems
as they arise. If you don't have a plan, then you're almost certainly going to
experience the classic "train wreck" that so many performing musicans talk
about. You need to rehearse and know how your going to handle a situation that
is going badly. Being prepared of course means that you're going to experience
fewer problems anyways.
I’ve also been onstage when all of a sudden the drummer has lost his signal for whatever reason, and had to shut the tracks off in the middle of the song. We naturally keep on playing, only without the tracks but it’s another eventuality you should prepare for when performing live with backing tracks because as you know, things don’t go perfectly EVERY time. There’s always a chance something can go wrong so you need to be prepared for it. To that end I’ve also been onstage when things have gone horribly wrong and the drummer has lost a beat on the click and not shut the tracks off. All of our horn and keyboard pad parts were coming in at the wrong time and we looked foolish as a result.
I’ve also been onstage when all of a sudden the drummer has lost his signal for whatever reason, and had to shut the tracks off in the middle of the song. We naturally keep on playing, only without the tracks but it’s another eventuality you should prepare for when performing live with backing tracks because as you know, things don’t go perfectly EVERY time. There’s always a chance something can go wrong so you need to be prepared for it. To that end I’ve also been onstage when things have gone horribly wrong and the drummer has lost a beat on the click and not shut the tracks off. All of our horn and keyboard pad parts were coming in at the wrong time and we looked foolish as a result.
The bottom line is this, be ready for everything when you’re on stage. You never know what can happen, and it could be anything that goes wrong.
One thing that can be an issue is songs that have a musical part that does not include drums. When you have such a part occurring you need to have some way for the band to keep time since they cannot hear the click track that the drummer is listening to. One easy remedy for this is for the drummer to hit his hi hat to the beat of the click or to click his sticks together or hit a rim lightly so the band can hear where the click is. If you don’t do this you can be sure that somebody in the band is going to lose time and the song will be a mess because the band is not coming in at the right time. Remember, the backing track is never wrong so the band has to adjust to the track, not the other way around.
In one band I play with we overcame this problem by purchasing a cheap 4-pack in ear monitor system by Nady (It's a Nady E03). I bought it on e-bay and even though the unit is cheap compared to a system by Shure, it is just what the doctor ordered. All of us in the band are able to hear both the click and the music sample mixed together so you know at all times what the meter is, and where you are in the song. Another good thing about doing this is that you can add vocal cues to your songs if you wish, as long as you have the right program to do it. They will go on the left side with the click track. Click on the image below to check out this Nady system. It has only one receiver but you can buy additional ones for it. Just be sure to get the right channel.
One thing that can be an issue is songs that have a musical part that does not include drums. When you have such a part occurring you need to have some way for the band to keep time since they cannot hear the click track that the drummer is listening to. One easy remedy for this is for the drummer to hit his hi hat to the beat of the click or to click his sticks together or hit a rim lightly so the band can hear where the click is. If you don’t do this you can be sure that somebody in the band is going to lose time and the song will be a mess because the band is not coming in at the right time. Remember, the backing track is never wrong so the band has to adjust to the track, not the other way around.
In one band I play with we overcame this problem by purchasing a cheap 4-pack in ear monitor system by Nady (It's a Nady E03). I bought it on e-bay and even though the unit is cheap compared to a system by Shure, it is just what the doctor ordered. All of us in the band are able to hear both the click and the music sample mixed together so you know at all times what the meter is, and where you are in the song. Another good thing about doing this is that you can add vocal cues to your songs if you wish, as long as you have the right program to do it. They will go on the left side with the click track. Click on the image below to check out this Nady system. It has only one receiver but you can buy additional ones for it. Just be sure to get the right channel.
Having said all that (and maybe even scaring you away from using backing tracks), your show will never be the same after having used them properly. The most important thing about any performance is what the audience thinks. If you’re using tracks you’re adding a dimension to your band that most people in the audience won’t even know exists, but they will respond to it very well because the song you are playing for them is more complete. The more they like it, the more they like you and your performances will always be remembered. They make your band sound huge and generally fill things out so that you’re no longer playing your inerpretation of a song, but rather, you’re playing the song exactly right, with all of the important parts and production.
Click on performing with backing tracks to return to the top of the page or click on pro backing tracks to go back to the previous page. Click on the link to return to the homepage or go to our backing tracks library to search for your favorite tracks!
Click on performing with backing tracks to return to the top of the page or click on pro backing tracks to go back to the previous page. Click on the link to return to the homepage or go to our backing tracks library to search for your favorite tracks!