Backing Tracks

[Mike K]

I have never used them but many places want more of a full band sound then just a solo instrument. Wondering if there are any good sources for backing tracks for music like American Standards, French, Latin, Jazz, etc. I also play keys and the Yamaha MOXF8 has arpeggios which can provide the sounds of different instruments...gives a fuller sound to everything. Can't use it for accordion though because it is based upon what you are playing on the keyboard. I could create my own to some degree but I am sure they would not be real professional.

 

[Thomas N]

I use a site called Karaoke Version. They allow you to preview the tracks and customize them to remove vocals, leads, drums, etc. You can also transpose and choose the key you want the song to play in. You can save the file as a midi or mp3.

I have a few songs I downloaded that I saved as mp3s and play them directly from the USB on my Roland FR-8X. It works well, although I still prefer the independence of playing along with my BK-7M arranger.

 

[JerryPH]

I like the BK better than backing tracks too, I have even made backing tracks from the BK, but there is a kind of pleasure controlling an arranger along with playing. Arrangers also give the freedom to choose when and where to start and end or continue a song for another verse… cannot do that with a backing track, one is truly fixed to play for the backing track, an arranger is the other way around, it serves you.