BACKING TRACKS

Backing Tracks/Links

Backing Tracks

Backing tracks are great to put on (your computer, phone, stereo, etc.) and jam with. There are many of them in various

keys (scales) and various styles: Rock, Jazz, Classical.

For 12 Bar Blues (the most common) here is a PDF showing the format, I wrote it in both C & F, both clefs. Notice that though the chords change, depending on what key you are in, the structure of the I, IV, and V chords is always the same.

Here's the original version of Think of One.

Also, here's a backing track for it. It's a nice one that has the sheet music too.

Here's one for the AHS Jazzrzzz

Bessie's Blues by John Coltrane - a classic blues in Eb (concert :-) Right here is the original, on vinyl.

A great "track" for D Dorian blues is here (great for Revelation or Coltrane's Equinox).

Blues in the Closet backing tracks. Nice medium tempo "Closet" with a Jazz trio.

Mr. P.C. backing track is here.

The original is quite fast but we do it in a medium swing style. Finn, when you have it slow, try this one for the adult version.

Green Onions has a couple backing tracks too. This one is great. Remember it's in F, not Bb.

Here are some of Powell's favorites:

Bb Blues (slow) ~ Bb Blues (quicker) ~ Bb Blues (rockish)

Here's Eb Blues (slow) ~ and Medium Eb Blues

Let's move to the F Blues. Here's a rockish shuffle blues in F. Here's a nice Jazzy Blues in F.

Guitar Players

There are many backing tracks on the web, but for guitar, Blues in E is a blast. Here are three different style and speed backing tracks for 12 bar blues in E.

#1 This is one is medium slow (90 beats per minute).

#2 This is at 100 BPM and slightly rocky in style.

#3 This is a medium shuffle, Texas style.

For flutes, pianos, violins, marimbas or for other instruments to transpose, this is Pachelbel's Canon in D. Read the sheet music and play along.

Here is Bach's Minuet in G. You'll recognize this.

Le Signe (the Swan) for alto sax. Here's the same song for clarinet (or tenor sax). Also for Flute (guitar).

Jam With Songs

When I was younger - and even today - I put on records I enjoy and play along with them, over and over. You'll figure out what the musicians are doing and you'll discover things they play that you like, or don't like.

Here's a great tenor sax feature by Sonny Rollins, Blue 7 (slow blues in Bb). Here's sheet music for Blue 7 (concert pitch).

I like "outside" music a lot. Music that is quirky and less experienced people may call strange. Just takes listening to with an open mind and some repetition. This is The Hard Blues by Julius Hemphill. Cello as bass - coolio!

High School Alumni

Here's a nice backing track for slow, groovy Bb blues. Here's a shuffle - splanky eh? Here's one specifically on Blue Monk. Here's another for Blues in the Closet in Ab.