Backing Tracks, Performing Live & Cheating Onstage

Rock stars always seem to find a way to make headlines and these days the use of backing tracks seems to be the big topic. From the use of backing tracks behind the band performing live to vocalists lip-syncing their parts to instrumentalists miming their parts onstage. For fans spending hundreds and in some cases, thousands of dollars for tickets alone, this is big deal. So, for whatever reason that a band is either filling in the sound or dare I say, deceiving their audience, we are entitled to an explanation.

Backing Tracks

I have performed with backing tracks several times in multiple bands. In each case it was out of necessity. From the use of sequencers to determined musicians who filled in the space due to missing band members, it was certainly a use what you have approach. Either way, I respected the determination of those in such projects. In each case, the audience didn't seem to care because the backing tracks featured specific instruments and not the vocals and, the band made no attempt to hide the fact that we were using backing tracks.

There are times we see vocalists perform alone onstage with backing tracks and for some reason that doesn't seem to bother anyone. I guess the topic for that discussion is whether or not it is a true live performance. However, the vocalist still might deliver an amazing performance so how many of us would even care at that point? I also don't think many of us care if there are tracks of background vocals or perhaps if the voice on the track is of a deceased performer.

In each case, the lead vocalist is still performing live so while we cam wince and wonder what we think of such uses of technology I think we should consider how far we take it. If it's going to be a lip-sync event then I believe the bands need to be open about it in the same way that a concert ticket says you have a "partial view of the band" because the seat is near a piece of the venue that blocks part of the person's view of the stage. Further, I don't think fans should be charged for a full concert because no matter the extravagance of the show, part of that performance is supposed to include a live musical act and if there are members miming and/or lip-syncing their parts -- without admitting to it -- then we have a problem.

Now let's take a look at another performance world, musical theater. I don't know any theater company that does not want to use live musicians. Sometimes, there are budget issues and/or we now live in a world where people are more interested in beat boxes or virtual instruments. With that in mind, how long should a theater company look for dependable and capable musicians before making the commitment to put on a production? It starts with finding the right actors and no one is going to take this opportunity away from them based on the availability of musicians. And, if a theater company has a regular practice of using backing tracks, how many productions does this allow them to do?

Further, does anyone know of the skill needed to perform to backing tracks? From a musician playing to a click track in the recording studio to a stage actor that is front of a live audience. The idea of offering an expressive performance while also following a prerecorded track. If you know, you know and for those who do it well, respect!

What is Cheating?

Musicians and fans are similar to those in the sporting world as they seem to dislike one form of cheating but are fine with others. Take baseball where players and coaches are fine with stealing signs if they in fact figure out a pitcher or coach's tendencies or the fact that there are some other tricks that musicians do that their peers and fans have no problem with.

Take for example the recording of an album. You have everything from producer's more or less writing the songs for the artists, session musicians being brought in to replace official band members on some tracks to the songs sounding better thanks to that little bit of studio magic. In most cases, while the producer gets some songwriting credit we don't always know the weight of their involvement and/or there are bands who do not credit studio players. Is this right? Then we also have remote recording where people are in another part of the world recording their tracks in their home studios and sending them back to the main studio. This is great for convenience and budget but it also takes away the vibe that musicians get when they are in the same studio jamming together. And yes, this same idea sort of applies to musicians in the same studio who are doing overdubs after the basic tracks are finished.

Then you have live albums where members of the band come in the fix some glitches in the performance. I agree with the artists who say that we certainly don't want to buy an album and hear the same mistakes over and over. Should bands have to out themselves and explain all of the fix its they did on the album?

Speaking of live performances, what about the bands who do play on their albums and then have numerous back up musicians onstage with them? We're not talking about say a duo who needs to fill out the rest of the band but a band that will have back up singers, additional instrumentalists, etc. Is that what I am paying to see or do I want to see the band perform their songs? And, in many cases, how many of hired hands are in fact, the best musicians onstage, thus, making the band sound better than they would without the hired help?

Finally, as a drummer who is now in his 50's I have to be more conscious of my physical condition in order to pull off my gigs. I have not slowed down at all but it does take more effort on my part to perform those late night gigs at the same level people remember from me say ten years ago. Still, I show up ready to do my part every night that I am onstage. Meanwhile, how many bands are tuning down in order to accommodate their aging or damaged vocalist? I've been to such performances and I'm sorry, but that's not the way that song sounds on the album nor is it the way the song sounded when I saw the same band perform it years ago. Is that not another way of cheating one's audience? I understand altering some vocal melodies in order not to blow one's voice out during an entire show (ahem, that could be another discussion because it's not like a drummer's gig is not demanding...yes, that was sarcasm) but still, are you giving the audience what they paid to see?

The Only Guarantee is Change

Things change and it's not just the instrumentation onstage. It's also in the way music is sold, the way musicians network, the way musicians buy instruments, as well as how people learn from music teachers. I'll expand on two of these realities.

In the case of studying with a teacher, I'm sure no one would deny how much better it could be if the student was present with their teacher, but this is way things are done now. And, by doing things in this way, music teachers can now expand their pool of students, as they are no longer limited to the area in which they live. Of course sometimes the instruction is not that personal as a monthly payment leads to having access to an instructor's premium content. While that also might not be the ideal way that a student wants to learn from a teacher it's still something that they wouldn't have without today's technology.

We also buy instruments now without trying them out first, which I still think is totally crazy. I mean, how can I fall in love with the crack of snare drum without hitting it first? The same would be true when buying something second hand from a private seller. Music stores continue to stock things at a minimum so unless I go to an event like the NAMM Show and try the drum out first hand I have no idea what it sounds like. Be it as it may, this is another change that isn't going anywhere and it isn't going to change any time soon so yes, I have purchased things via mail orders and can only hope for the best, even when I have done my due diligence on the products that I buy.

Meanwhile, things changed for good when the drum machine was invented. Many people loved the convenience and cost efficiency that this new device brought while purists argued against the lack of feel of the machine as well as the work it took away from drummers. Did the industry go back? No. Later we had sequencers and other mechanical goodies to use and the industry not only continued their forward progress but also saw the invention of new musical genres that could not have happened without these machines. Aside from the industry moving forward, there are many musicians who love having these tools at their disposal in order to avoid the compromises and drama that comes from being a band with other people. 😲

Final Thoughts

Opinions vary on the issue and that's fine. All I sought to do with this blog is encourage people to expand the conversation a bit in terms of what a live setting actually is, which I think shows that we don't exactly hold all musicians to the same standard. I also don't think a musical setting should dictate the purity of one's performance. I want people to consider the fact that using a backing track is not in fact a crime. A purist attitude is fine but it doesn't make you a better musician or a better music fan. All that matters is that the music continues to move people and we know that a live performance is in fact a great way to experience any music.

Finally, a personal approach to music is in fact more than a live setting and while some people may not find Master Classes, networking, and in person musical instruction to be as important as a show, I do think we underestimate their value in terms of the impact they have on others. Master Classes give us a very intimate look at an artist in a more instructional setting while also giving us a chance to ask questions ourselves rather than hope that a journalist would do it for us. As far as musical instruction, many of us have had some amazing teachers and it was in fact that personal time we had with them that made all of the difference in the world. However, there was a time when a student may have to travel to see an instructor that did not live close by, which also meant that this personal time with them was at a minimum...until the internet. That is not a bad thing.

Musical genres change, the distribution of music has changed, the way we network for gigs has changed, the way we record music has changed and notice I didn't say whether any of these changes were good or bad. They are simply real and in some cases cheaper and more convenient, and if this is the direction the business is going then so be it, we have to adapt to the situation. The same thing applies to how music is performed. Backing tracks are here to stay and whether the purists like it or not, they are now a part of the business of musical performance. So, if you want to keep working you may have to ask yourself how important your pride is when it comes to paying your bills. Meanwhile, if you're willing to try, you'll find that is also takes great skill to perform with backing tracks and that you create a great performance through the use of backing tracks.

Desert Drummer Promo Video

Desert Drummer live excerpt