backing track
Pre-recorded musical support
A backing track is a pre-recorded musical accompaniment that performers sing or play along with, typically containing all instruments except the featured part.
Karaoke uses backing tracks without lead vocals.
Solo performers use them to sound fuller: She sang to a backing track at the wedding.
Some criticize live acts that rely heavily on backing tracks as less authentic than fully live performance.
Singing to backing tracks
- singalongCommunal vocal session
- vocalsSung musical parts
- singerVocal music performer
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
rehearsal · accompaniment · solo · duet · microphone · stage · audience · entertainment
Notes sounded simultaneously
- progressionSequential forward movement
- keyLock-opening device
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- instrumentalServing as means
arrangement · orchestration · voicing · arpeggio · pad · strings · piano · guitar
Short-term paid work
- musiciansPeople who create music
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
- stageRaised performance platform
performance · monitor · playback · cue · setlist · venue · live show · concert
karaoke
Singing to backing tracks
practice · rehearsal · accompaniment · solo · duet · microphone · stage · audience · entertainment · performance
chord
Notes sounded simultaneously
- progressionSequential forward movement
- keyLock-opening device
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
instrumental · arrangement · orchestration · voicing · arpeggio · pad · strings · piano · guitar · synth
gig
Short-term paid work
- musiciansPeople who create music
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
stage · performance · monitor · playback · cue · setlist · venue · live show · concert · DJ
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- drumsStruck membrane instruments
- percussionSound through impact
metronome · groove · bassline · loop · pattern · timing · measure · pulse · syncopation · time signature
studio
Creative professional's workspace
multitrack · overdub · mastering · producer · engineer · audio · edit · levels · equalization · compression
- instrumental musicpiano solo, orchestral, symphony, concerto, film score
- talent competitionstalent show, talent shows, auditions, judges panel, golden buzzer
- trackspaw print, hoof print, footprint, footprints, spoor
- audio productionDAW, mixing, mixing board, audio mixer, Foley
- accompanimentbacking band, accompanist, piano accompaniment, guitar accompaniment, rhythm section
- music versionsminus one, piano cover, acoustic version, unplugged version, remix
backing tracklive band
Musicians performing in person
live performance · session musicians · house band · pit orchestra · jam session
backing tracka cappella
Singing without instruments
lead vocal · solo performance · unaccompanied · vocal track · master recording
back, track, backs, backed, backer, backers, tracking, tracked, tracker