Using backing tracks

[wirralaccordion]

I guess that there are some accordion players on here who use backing tracks in public performances. I would be very keen to have some advice on this as I am trying it out for the first time and finding it surprisingly difficult e.g. to keep exact time etc.

 

[Valski]

Hello there, Which sort of backing tracks are you using? Are they pre-recorded by someone else or are they something that you've created using software or a backing module. I play a Roland Fr8x and create my own tracks using the Bk7m backing module which is reasonably easy to do with the digital instrument and the module using a midi cable. There are in fact many ways to achieve this and I'm currently learning how to use software to enhance and edit the tracks.

In the past I tried using tracks downloaded from the internet but found them to be tricky to use for exactly the reasons that you indicated. When recording my own tracks I have had to carefully select tracks with a steady and distinct beat that was easy to follow and also easy to hear the rhythm. After recording and editing the pieces it's important to practice the pieces before using them in public because when starting to use these tracks, you're doing something that you're not accustomed to do. It's also important to pick songs that you know very well and are comfortable with because you'll have to concentrate on something entirely new when first performing the pieces in public. As you go along it becomes easier but still requires quite a lot of effort.

I like recording my own tracks because they're my version of the song and I can adapt the piece to suit me. Other forum members advised on how to add clicks to count in at the start of each song. I now have about 30 or so songs that are ready for live performances. Let us know exactly what you're using for your attempts because we can learn from each other and there are probably many ways to achieve your goal.

 

[wirralaccordion]

Hello there, Which sort of backing tracks are you using? Are they pre-recorded by someone else or are they something that you've created using software or a backing module. I play a Roland Fr8x and create my own tracks using the Bk7m backing module which is reasonably easy to do with the digital instrument and the module using a midi cable. There are in fact many ways to achieve this and I'm currently learning how to use software to enhance and edit the tracks.

In the past I tried using tracks downloaded from the internet but found them to be tricky to use for exactly the reasons that you indicated. When recording my own tracks I have had to carefully select tracks with a steady and distinct beat that was easy to follow and also easy to hear the rhythm. After recording and editing the pieces it's important to practice the pieces before using them in public because when starting to use these tracks, you're doing something that you're not accustomed to do. It's also important to pick songs that you know very well and are comfortable with because you'll have to concentrate on something entirely new when first performing the pieces in public. As you go along it becomes easier but still requires quite a lot of effort.

I like recording my own tracks because they're my version of the song and I can adapt the piece to suit me. Other forum members advised on how to add clicks to count in at the start of each song. I now have about 30 or so songs that are ready for live performances. Let us know exactly what you're using for your attempts because we can learn from each other and there are probably many ways to achieve your goal.

Hi Valski,

Thanks for your interesting comments here. I have not used backing tracks in public. I am still at the experimental stage. All the backing tracks I have used have been pre-recorded by someone else and I have no desire to use software and develop my own. Also, my accordion(s) are not digital as yours is.

There are 3 sources I have tried

• Playing on top of backing tracks pre-recorded on a CD.
• Playing on top of a rhythm played on my Panasonic SY-100 personal music PA system, which is basically a mixer.
• Playing on top of “video minus one” songs played back through my computer on Arrigo Tomasi’s website at www.arrigotomasi.com. Usually I have used Audacity to slow songs down first as they are too fast “as is” ( for me! ).

Of these no 2 is easiest as there is an additional light blinking with the tempo of the rhythm, and no 1 is the hardest.

If I could present just one song including a backing track to play ( amongst others, without ) in a christmas singalong I will be very satisfied!

Phil

 

[Valski]

Hello Phil,

I also use Audacity to finish backing tracks. It is useful for fine tuning these tracks. Although I haven't used the function so far because there has been no need, you should be able to adjust the volume on the rhythm portion of the track. This is one of the main reasons that I purchased my FR8X because even without using tracks you can get some great orchestral bass sounds from the left hand which to me is halfway to backing tracks. Best of all is the ability to play those backing tracks directly through the Fr8x because for a smaller event you can just use the accordion without having to bring additional equipment.

It's important to be able to hear the rhythm of your tracks when using these and perhaps you might want to find some more suitable ones if you can't hear them. A couple of years ago I downloaded a bunch of midi tracks that weren't of any use to me because although they were for the same song, it didn't mean that we were playing exactly the same version. When you're unknowingly playing a different version of the song, it's impossible to make it work.

 

[AndyM]

Hi Phil, don't know if you've seen this one, but I use a programme called iReal, which provides rhythmic accompaniment. You can select from quite a wide range of available songs, or choose a rhythm and create your own chord chart, if what you're playing isn't already there. You can change the tempo, transpose into different keys and choose from a small selection of instruments. The volume of each instrument is also individually adjustable.
And it isn't overly complicated!!

iReal Pro - Practice Made Perfect

The most popular music practice app on earth just got even better. Master your art by practicing with a realistic band that can accompany you in any song or style, whether you’re writing your own or at a jam session with the band.

www.irealpro.com

If memory serves, cost about $20US.
AndyM

 

[jozz]

I guess that there are some accordion players on here who use backing tracks in public performances. I would be very keen to have some advice on this as I am trying it out for the first time and finding it surprisingly difficult e.g. to keep exact time etc.

I find myself occasionally needing to play to a track.
for me it's mostly about doing enough practice runs, before going live. it's much like recording to a click

1. practice (a lot) with a metronome or with the actual track at home
2. make sure you hear the track LOUD enough and let it 'lead' you, to not steer off the track yourself (happens easily when you do not hear the track well enough)

 

[Giovanni]

Tip 2. Is Very good advice

 

[Valski]

Hi Phil, don't know if you've seen this one, but I use a programme called iReal, which provides rhythmic accompaniment. You can select from quite a wide range of available songs, or choose a rhythm and create your own chord chart, if what you're playing isn't already there. You can change the tempo, transpose into different keys and choose from a small selection of instruments. The volume of each instrument is also individually adjustable.
And it isn't overly complicated!!

iReal Pro - Practice Made Perfect

The most popular music practice app on earth just got even better. Master your art by practicing with a realistic band that can accompany you in any song or style, whether you’re writing your own or at a jam session with the band.

www.irealpro.com

If memory serves, cost about $20US.
AndyM

I looked at the iReal program and it looks great. I've tried some of these in the past and they were very limited so I dropped them and decided to go the fully digital route. There can be a steep learning curve with any of these programs so practice is very important and it's easy to become frustrated when you don't spend substantial effort to learn how to play along.

 

[Valski]

Tip 2. Is Very good advice

Very true, if you can't hear either the backing track, your accordion or both, you won't be able to keep time.

 

[AndyM]

I looked at the iReal program and it looks great. I've tried some of these in the past and they were very limited so I dropped them and decided to go the fully digital route. There can be a steep learning curve with any of these programs so practice is very important and it's easy to become frustrated when you don't spend substantial effort to learn how to play along.

Hi Valski, glad you like iReal. The thing that I very much liked about it that it is quick to learn and easy to use. So much software tries to be 'all things to all people' and ends up being overly complicated, with features that get don't get used much. iReal have got the balance between complexity and functionality just right. Enjoy.

 

[Valski]

Hi Valski, glad you like iReal. The thing that I very much liked about it that it is quick to learn and easy to use. So much software tries to be 'all things to all people' and ends up being overly complicated, with features that get don't get used much. iReal have got the balance between complexity and functionality just right. Enjoy.

I had a look at iReal but didn't purchase it because it because I already own a fully digital setup with a Fr8x, a Bk7m, the FC-7 foot pedal plus music editing software. Just wanted to thank you for pointing out some of the newer technologies. There's a limit to how many electronic toys that we can use because even with all of the fancy stuff we still need to practice our parts so that they sound effortless.