I am always on the lookout for suppliers with a vast choice of up to date Christian backing tracks so I'm sharing my 'where to find' resources to help anyone who is starting out or looking for just where to source them.
Over the past few years, the majority of backing tracks (also known as accompaniment tracks) I order are from USA, and it has been difficult to match a company to provide an equal selection here in the UK, though I have found one! Given that there are quite a few variations of products available, I have made a few mistakes and will share these to help you from wasting any money like I did! I have found that the average cost of a backing track from US is $8, which is approximately £4 - I think this is a really great price and to compare costs, most UK suppliers would charge double this.
My advice would be to do a web search for US sites if looking for a large varied choice of backing tracks.
I have found one with a choice of over 7000 tracks and downloads which I have listed on my blog site.
With some of the more popular backing tracks, one particular US site offers a download version for less than 1 dollar, which is great if you need it quickly for Sunday! The one drawback here is that they only allow downloads to US addresses.
Ordering does incur shipping charges, however by saving around £4 for each track it usually works out the same as buying in the UK.
Another thing to remember is that if you live out with the US, delivery time can take approx 10 days, although it is well worth it given such an excellent choice and many you cannot find in the UK anyway.
Artist Sites Many recording artists allow you to buy backing tracks from their official websites.
One benefit of this is that you might be able to get a track that you will not source anywhere else, due to copyright.
The track will be the original artist's recording so what you hear on the CD will be the same as you sing along to.
This can be a restricted option because when I have bought ones like this it may only have one original key but normally have 2 other tracks, with the option of- with or without backing vocals.
I have found these top quality, however you can pay a few dollars more, but well worth it.
Just make sure that if there is only one key, that it is suitable for your vocal range before you spend your money.
When I first discovered the novelty of buying Christian backing tracks online, I got quite excited and YES! - carried away.
On hearing just a short burst of a track, I clicked away happily...
when they arrived and listened in full, what I discovered was; o a) Track had too great a vocal range- even with a 3-key track - high key too high, low key too low, original key (out of my range, either way!) Helpful hint- might seem obvious but have a look at the backing track cover, usually shows each key and shows the highest note/lowest note so you know if it's suitable.
o b) Track sounded OK to begin with, then in middle of song was a long instrumental break or had repetitive (oh yeah bits! / adlibs) for about 3 minutes at the end! -Some gospel tracks tend to have this.
Helpful hint- I have found a site which lets you listen to a complete song, has a list of more popular Christian songs, although does not have an exhaustive list.
Check my site for link.
o c) Original track was sung by a male.
As I am female, none of the 3 keys were suitable.
It just didn't fit my vocal range.
o d) Track was in 3 keys, however only the original key had backing vocals, the higher key did not and it didn't sound quite the same without them.
I wasted quite a few dollars making these mistakes- "please take note!"
Over the past few years, the majority of backing tracks (also known as accompaniment tracks) I order are from USA, and it has been difficult to match a company to provide an equal selection here in the UK, though I have found one! Given that there are quite a few variations of products available, I have made a few mistakes and will share these to help you from wasting any money like I did! I have found that the average cost of a backing track from US is $8, which is approximately £4 - I think this is a really great price and to compare costs, most UK suppliers would charge double this.
My advice would be to do a web search for US sites if looking for a large varied choice of backing tracks.
I have found one with a choice of over 7000 tracks and downloads which I have listed on my blog site.
With some of the more popular backing tracks, one particular US site offers a download version for less than 1 dollar, which is great if you need it quickly for Sunday! The one drawback here is that they only allow downloads to US addresses.
Ordering does incur shipping charges, however by saving around £4 for each track it usually works out the same as buying in the UK.
Another thing to remember is that if you live out with the US, delivery time can take approx 10 days, although it is well worth it given such an excellent choice and many you cannot find in the UK anyway.
Artist Sites Many recording artists allow you to buy backing tracks from their official websites.
One benefit of this is that you might be able to get a track that you will not source anywhere else, due to copyright.
The track will be the original artist's recording so what you hear on the CD will be the same as you sing along to.
This can be a restricted option because when I have bought ones like this it may only have one original key but normally have 2 other tracks, with the option of- with or without backing vocals.
I have found these top quality, however you can pay a few dollars more, but well worth it.
Just make sure that if there is only one key, that it is suitable for your vocal range before you spend your money.
When I first discovered the novelty of buying Christian backing tracks online, I got quite excited and YES! - carried away.
On hearing just a short burst of a track, I clicked away happily...
when they arrived and listened in full, what I discovered was; o a) Track had too great a vocal range- even with a 3-key track - high key too high, low key too low, original key (out of my range, either way!) Helpful hint- might seem obvious but have a look at the backing track cover, usually shows each key and shows the highest note/lowest note so you know if it's suitable.
o b) Track sounded OK to begin with, then in middle of song was a long instrumental break or had repetitive (oh yeah bits! / adlibs) for about 3 minutes at the end! -Some gospel tracks tend to have this.
Helpful hint- I have found a site which lets you listen to a complete song, has a list of more popular Christian songs, although does not have an exhaustive list.
Check my site for link.
o c) Original track was sung by a male.
As I am female, none of the 3 keys were suitable.
It just didn't fit my vocal range.
o d) Track was in 3 keys, however only the original key had backing vocals, the higher key did not and it didn't sound quite the same without them.
I wasted quite a few dollars making these mistakes- "please take note!"