backing tracks
Pre-recorded musical support
Backing tracks are pre-recorded musical accompaniments used for live performance or practice.
A singer might perform with backing tracks instead of a live band, or a guitarist might practice solos over backing tracks to simulate playing with other musicians.
The term sometimes carries a whiff of inauthenticity—lip-syncing scandals often involve backing tracks that included the lead vocal.
Supplementary support element
- playbackReproducing recorded media
- pre-recordedCaptured beforehand for playback
- background musicAudio meant to accompany
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
orchestration · loop · stem · multitrack · sync · audio file · sequence · DAW
Communal vocal session
- microphoneAudio input device
- vocalistOne who sings professionally
- duetPiece for two
- chorusSingers performing together
cover · key change · pitch correction · entertainment · nightclub · karaoke machine · teleprompter
- concertLive musical performance
- stageRaised performance platform
- playbackReproducing recorded media
- lip-syncSilent vocal mimicry
dance routine · DJ set · solo artist · theater · musical · broadcast · television · touring
Pre-performance practice session
- metronomeAdjustable beat-marking device
- drillHole-boring device
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
- exercisesActivities for fitness
improvisation · lessons · study · routine · slow-down · transcription · ear training · woodshedding
accompaniment
Supplementary support element
- playbackReproducing recorded media
- pre-recordedCaptured beforehand for playback
- background musicAudio meant to accompany
arrangement · orchestration · loop · stem · multitrack · sync · audio file · sequence · DAW · MIDI
singalong
Communal vocal session
- microphoneAudio input device
- vocalistOne who sings professionally
- duetPiece for two
chorus · cover · key change · pitch correction · entertainment · nightclub · karaoke machine · teleprompter
live show
lip-sync · dance routine · DJ set · solo artist · theater · musical · broadcast · television · touring · arena
rehearsal
Pre-performance practice session
- metronomeAdjustable beat-marking device
- drillHole-boring device
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
exercises · improvisation · lessons · study · routine · slow-down · transcription · ear training · woodshedding · scale practice
- practice toolsmetronome, tuner, practice pad, music stand, practice log
- jazz resourcesfake books, lead sheets, jazz standards, sheet music, method books
- music resourcessheet music, music theory, scores, music education, metronome
- musical arrangementsovertures, medleys, choral arrangements, variations, fantasias
- instrumentalsguitar solo, guitar solos, drum solo, piano solos, drum solos
- street performingsinging, juggling, magic tricks, miming, harmonica
backing trackslive band
Musicians performing in person
session musicians · backing band · house band · pit orchestra · accompanist
backing, tracks, back, track, backed, backer, backers, backs, tracked