When using an iPod to play backing tracks, it’s not as simple as just loading songs on the machine and pressing play. This is because, as a singer, you need to have your song list (ie your set list) in a specific order and you will need the iPod to play the music in a [...]
When MP3 was first invented, it didn’t take singers long to realise that they could buy backing tracks online and download them to their computer. This meant that they didn’t have to wait for days for the postman to deliver their backing tracks – they could get them instantly. MP3 Backing Trax Ltd were the [...]
2005 was the year that Jack Johnson came on to the music scene in the UK and by 2006 he stormed the UK charts with his hit “Better together”. When I sing this song, the catchy guitar riff always makes me feel like I should be in a dimly lit, smokey jazz club late at night – it [...]
Y Viva Espana by Sylvia has become the anthem for a generation of British package holidaymakers on their way to sunny Spain, yet oddly enough, Sylvia wasn’t even Spanish (she’s Swedish)! The song was a worldwide hit so will be a popular song to sing anywhere – especially during the summer season. This backing track is [...]
I can’t think of a better way to finish a cabaret set than singing Elvis presley American Trilogy. It’s been a favourite of male singers everywhere and not just Elvis tribute acts. There’s something very uplifting about this song, even if you’re not American, and this is one song that EVERY male singer should have [...]
If you have used mp3 for a while you will probably be aware that there are different bit-rates available for encoding an audio file to mp3. Newbies to mp3 could be forgiven for thinking that bit rates don’t really matter much, after all mp3 is mp3…but those of you who have used mp3 for some [...]
There are many factors you need to consider when choosing an mp3 player. These factors become much more important when you are choosing an mp3 player to play backing tracks in an onstage “live” environment. Whatever you do, don’t just buy the first mp3 player you see and don’t be fooled with the extra features [...]
The backing track subject that is the least understood by singers is editing backing tracks. Even singers with years of experience using backing tracks are totally lost when it comes to editing them. This isn’t surprising considering there are very many types of backing track formats (cassette, DAT, midifile, MP3, CD. Minidisc, Cubase Arrangements, Cakewalk [...]
Summer holiday was a hit for Cliff Richard in 1963 and this backing track (taken from the movie of the same name) has stood the test of time. It’s still a popular song especially during the hot months of July and August and is pretty much the anthem for all holidaymakers everywhere. No doubt you’ve heard it sung in airport departure [...]
If you are reading this, then you are probably new to singing and would like to begin singing professionally. Perhaps it’s something you’ve wanted to do all your life or maybe your friends have encouraged you to take it up professionally after hearing you sing at a karaoke night or with a local musician, school [...]
