If you've not used guitar backing tracks but have been looking for great guitar tracks to perform to or practise with then this blog is a great starting place. Here we explore what guitar backings are, why someone might use them and how they can enhance a performance.

What are guitar backing tracks?

Generally speaking, guitar backing tracks are either acoustic or electric guitar recordings, often of popular songs, created to have a similar feel to a song but all the sounds of a produced band. They can feature doubled tracked guitars, melody lines, guitar solos, multi layers or just a simple acoustic guitar. There is quite a wide scope as to what can feature in a guitar backing track but it is all centred around the guitar.

Why might you use guitar backing tracks?

There are many practical reasons as to why you may want to use guitar backing tracks. Firstly, if you are a singer and you've focused on your voice as the instrument, you may not have learnt an instrument like the guitar. So, from a practical point of view, guitar backing tracks provide great value to a singer because it is a ready made guitarist ready to perform with you. You may also be an instrumentalist like a violinist or sax player and therefore need a harmonic instrument to play along to at your event. In this case guitar backing tracks are a great option.

Another reason you may need a guitar backing track is if you've injured yourself and need a ready made replacement last minute. If you've injured your hand or arm then guitar backing tracks can provide you with a great alternative if you can't find a live musician to cover you. Second to that, imagine your guitarist is on the way to the gig and their car breaks down. What are you going to do? That's where a guitar backing track can save your gig.

A big reason why performers use guitar backing track is because the clients just don't have a big enough budget to afford multiple musicians. I think it's important not to judge a client who has a limited budget. If they can't afford multiple live musicians, then that is the reality and they should not be judged for this. Here steps in high quality guitar backing tracks to fill the gap where a live guitarist may have been.

You can also turn your vocal/keys duo into a trio set up with a guitar backing track. Suddenly you've got rhythm, energy and a fuller sound with the third instrument in the mix. So the fusion of live and backing track is a real and magical thing.

Where might you use guitar backing tracks?

Practically speaking you're probably not going to use a guitar backing track for a big up beat party. But there are several settings to use a stripped back guitar track. Firstly, if you have a bar or restaurant residency which you play every week, you can turn up with new guitar backing tracks for every gig and keep your sets fresh. 

The wedding scene is a massive setting for guitar backing tracks and there are several points during a wedding day where guitar tracks will compliment the moment. Starting with the wedding ceremony, you can use guitar backing tracks for aisle walks, pre ceremony vibes, the bride and groom walk outs, signing the register and more. You can also use guitar backing tracks during a wedding reception to create a more chilled atmosphere and equally during the wedding breakfast but maybe with a little more energy. Finally performing to guitar backing tracks during a first dance can help create a beautifully intimate moment instead of a full produced band sound.

Do guitar backing tracks sound good?

This is a big question and it really comes down to the quality of the person or company producing them. But generally speaking you're looking for real musicians (ideally who are professional) using high quality recording equipment. And on top of that you're looking for consistency because if one track is great and the next is thin, out of time and quiet then it's not a great vibe to perform to.

Are guitar backing tracks expensive?

This again depends on who is creating them and the quality of the tracks. If you're asking a friend who's a guitarist to record a track for you, then they might be super affordable but the quality may not be great either in the delivery of the track or the mix. If you're using a company, this may be much more affordable but due to the size of their requests, the quality of the performance may not be up to scratch. So it's important to do your research and find a source for guitar backing tracks that provides high quality recordings, that are consistently at a high level but also affordable.

Who are Acoustic Backs And Tracks?

Acoustic Backs And Tracks provide completely acoustic backing tracks including guitar backing tracks for singers and instrumentalists. The AB&T catalogue sits at well over a thousand acoustic tracks many of which are solo guitar tracks. These guitar backing tracks cover a wide range of genres, artists, eras and vibes which means the tracks can fit well in almost any setting bar possibly the main party of a wedding.

If you've been unsure as to whether or not you should perform with guitar backing tracks, hopefully this blog has helped give you a better insight into the world of backing tracks and more specifically guitar backing tracks. 

If you're interested in learning more about AB&T and our catalogue, head on over to our store to check out the thousands of acoustic backing tracks we have on offer and build your next acoustic setlist.