Playing Along with a Backing Track
by Ron Goldenberg
The most pleasurable moments that I have when playing alone in the depths of my basement are when I play along with a backing track. There are several kinds of backing tracks available but the ones that I purchase usually have several instruments playing a song in which the melody is left out. I fill it in with my saxophone. For instance, I purchased the backing track for the jazz standard Misty from jazzbacks.com (approx. C$11). The download came with PDF sheet music for the lead/melody instrument for three types of instruments: a C instrument (like a flute) a Bb instrument (like a Clarinet, Tenor sax, Trumpet …) and an Eb instrument (like an Alto or Bari sax…). It also came with a backing track with piano, drums and a bass.
You get your sheet music ready put on the track and away you go. You are the lead in a quartet! Sounds awesome and is a real rush.
I would like to share this great experience with you so I have put sheet music and a backing track on a Google drive which you can access at the link below. I have included the songs Misty and the Shadow of Your Smile for your playing enjoyment.
The sheet music for Misty is missing the first 4 bars and the 4/4 time signature. The first 4 bars are a rest and you come in on beat 4 of bar 5. I included a little audio segment for those of you who need assistance with the count in. The Shadow of Your Smile also has sheet music for bass instruments in C.
Please enjoy yourself thoroughly. I would love to hear from you to know what you think and how you are enjoying it. Please email me, rongold@videotron.ca.
Here is the link.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13dZMeU2r8eS6IvrvhPMTRXmo-POKNv7p?usp=sharingHappy holidays to you and your families!