Originally Posted By: Joe V
First - I need to get some good ones.


Also - anyone have any tips on using backing tracks live ?


I've been asked this so many times for my duo http://www.s-cats.com, that I made a web page explaining how I make the tracks and how I use them on stage:
http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html

Originally Posted By: Joe V
My guess is you're often stuck playing to a specific, unalterable tempo, which I'm afraid might give the covers a slightly mechanical feel. Especially if for example drum or bass embellishments are used as a 'question-answer' think with particular lyrics (is there a name for this type of thing ?)


Sometimes I record the same sequence in different tempos, to use for different situations.

Also, since I make the backing tracks myself, sometimes I might rush the B section a bit, or slowly, almost imperceptibly, increase the tempo towards the end.

Originally Posted By: Joe V
I'm also curious - suppose I want to use some of these backing tracks for an 'original'. I know melodies are copyrighted - but what about all the other instruments to accompany a song ? I would imagine with slight changes (and there's the judgement part) one could reuse the ideas without building them from scratch. Or I suppose even better - just use a comparable PG backing track or accompaniment - that's what they're made for.


Copyright questions are best asked to a copyright lawyer. Think of the "Stairway To Heaven" mess from a chord progression that first appeared in the Baroque era or "Blurred Lines" that used a general feel.

Originally Posted By: Joe V
And lastly - comparing backing tracks true to the original artists vs. those from PG - are they comparable, or could one see buying the backing tracks from the original as getting a more true-to-the-original cover as far as listeners (serious music aficianado listeners) are concerned ?


When I make my own backing tracks, there are times when I strive to cover the hit version, times when I base my backing track on the hit version but change it either a little or a lot for my own personal tastes, and times when I completely change the feel, style, or whatever, for example; taking a swing song and making a Salsa or Reggae song out of it.

It's a judgement call when I create the track. More often than not I think I make good decisions, based on experience of what worked before, and other times I make a bad call and have to do it over again. That's one of the nice things about MIDI tracks, they are so very, very editable.

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