Thoughts? I'm presently volunteering in Big Bend National Park, TX and work 3 days on/3 days off so I have a good bit of time to practice my craft, playing acoustic electric guitar and singing, and incorporating customized backing tracks on my iPad. I realize some tunes simply sound better without backing them up with tracks. I'm always learning tunes while keeping in mind my goals. One of my goals is to play for veterans venues with a few coffee houses and bars along the way while im livinga nomadic lifestyle. I'm trying to keep a good balance of tunes but I'm not going to break my neck doing it. I'm getting tired of the same 3-400 tunes I can easily meddle through and truly at this point in my life, almost 66, I feel I have nothing else to prove to anyone but to myself (alternate tunings, difficult tunes that I like and should play at least for my own personal enjoyment). So many songs out there. Some stay popular for shorter periods of time than others and that's life.  I'd appreciate anyone's input on this topic of using backing tracks, how and when, overuse, to include vocal harmonizer use.  Criticism taken lightly. Rock on, Rich Ford! (I hope the link works)

https://www.karaoke-version.com/blog/1556-backing-tracks-vs-live-musicians-how-to-find-the-perfect-balance.html?utm_campaign=newsletter_kv&utm_source=bulk&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0&utm_content=custom_1

She did an AMAZING JOB with the cover of "Me and Bobby McGee" - Check it out!

Me and Bobby McGee

play with this in the 2nd verse.. what happened? Did life get in the way? Distractions from work, the kids, the day to day humdrum of life? Approach verse 2 from that perspective... then back to the chorus....

The bridge could be the 'solution' to how they get back on track...... and then finish with the chorus...

I'll ponder the lyrics but look at it from this perspective - you may find the words you need

"I Just Wanna Learn a Love Song" - by Harry Chapin. This is a great 'Chapin' Story song. Not as well known as "Cats in The Cradle" (In my rotation) or "Taxi" (Not yet).. but this is a fun song to play. Haven't played live yet - as it's for a specific audience type. Can't wait to play it though.

"Red Solo Cup" - by Toby Keith. A surprisingly easy song to perform. The Intro is a G-D walk down while doing a 2/4 strum (G, F#, E, D - done on the High E String.. Then getting the tempo down for the lyrics as it's rather 'talking' instead of singing - but it's a fun song and will go over well in certain venues. Just started this one - so not quite ready for 'prime-time'

"Chevy Van" - by Sammy Johns. A one hit wonder but one everyone knows. It's got a pretty cool A,Asus2,Asus4 sound that makes it identifiable. Then just a D and an E... Fun to play fun to sing. 

Check out the post on learning new songs - This is my process and it's very effective.

Anyone working on new material?

1. KNOW the Song!- Listen to the artist rendition of the song and listen to other covers of the song. Hear it from different angles. The point here is to 'hear' yourself playing it. Often times, original artist versions are full bands and can 'muddy' the song structure a bit for a solo artist - so by listening to other versions, you will hear different things that can lead to your own version. You should listen until you can sing along with it - getting the tempo, timbre, and feel of the vocals

2. Get a good chart of the song - There are multiple sources for the chords of songs, Chordie, Ultimate Guitar, or simply 'google' chords of a particular song. Work thru the chords first to know the changes - try this without the record first - for rough spots, listen to the recording and see if you can capture it - LEARN the song in the original key first - you can always change the key to fit your voice afterwards, but by learning the chords in the original key, you will be able to hear the fills and licks easier.

3. Play along with the recording - You'll need to do this in the original key but you will start 'feeling' how the song goes before you change keys (If you even need to). Play along and sing along with the recording.. Over and over until you have it down.

4. Turn off the record and go it solo. See how it feels - record yourself playing it and listen to yourself. This is HARD because you will hear your mistakes - but this will allow you to correct them or adjust as required.

Once you can confidently play the song without the artist or other covers you heard - go BACK and listen to the artist and covers and see how you do - Is your tempo too fast (my biggest problem)? Too slow? Chords not sounding correct, or changes not how you like them? Adjust at this point.

Be sure to take a few days off after learning it - and then go back and try it again - did you remember everything? Still some rough spots? Over time, the songs will become internalized - You're ready to go.

Have other tips or tricks?

https://1drv.ms/u/c/640a05cdd8df3f02/EfruS5UDpdFEidnzFkL0aSwBrPIcpvtBJ5qEnmcdtjwtKQ

Rough recording, missed a few vocal notes and I had to slow down/pause before the Chorus to swipe down on my cell phone.  Hopefully one can access the link and recording. Let me know as I'm sure you will! 😊 open for recommendations and please formulate lyrics about the value of love, in this tune anyway. Thx. David

Intro: C Am7 Fmaj7 G

If I had a dollar
For all the times
I kissed your lips
And held you tight

Well, I'd be rich man
But I'd want more
I'd never get enough
Honey that's for sure

But baby lately
I'm coming up short
Nickel and dining
Growing poor

We got to get back
Cuz we know what's there
A pot of gold
For us to share


Chorus:
Am                        Ammaj7
Baby I can see it in your eyes
                            Am7
You're running on empty
                    D
And so am I
Dm                             G/
Let's fill back up on love
             C
Startin' tonight