Best Backing Tracks for Guitarists: Top Play-Along Books and Albums for Practice
Answering the common search for professional backing tracks for guitarists, this guide highlights five strong options across books, CDs, and online audio. These picks suit different players—from beginners seeking structured riffs to seasoned players chasing studio-style jam sessions. Each option is chosen for accessible learning support, clear tab/notation, and reliable backing tracks to accelerate practice and improvisation. The buyer’s needs vary: some prioritize extensive song catalogs, others seek instructional methods with practical theory, and a few focus on specific genres like blues, rock, or boleros.
| Product | What It’s Best For | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Blues Jam Trax Collection for Guitar | Blues practice and soloing | Book + 2 CDs |
| Creative Guitar 1: Cutting-Edge Techniques | Improvisation and theory in rock | Book + CD |
| Motley Crue: Guitar Play-Along Volume 188 | Heavy metal/rock band staples | Book + Online Audio |
| Songs of the 1960s – New Decade Series | Classic hits with backing tracks | Piano/Vocal/Guitar, with online tracks |
| Classic Rock Deluxe Guitar Play-Along Volume 7 | Classic rock hits with TAB | Book + Online Audio |
Blues Jam Trax Collection for Guitar
Best for dedicated blues players seeking structured jam tracks and TAB-backed practice. This 2-CD/80-page book targets electric guitarists with a clear blues framework, enabling looped practice and soloing over traditional shuffles and blues progressions. The combination of notation and play-along tracks helps players internalize call-and-response phrasing and blues scale usage. Caution: the collection focuses on blues context; players seeking jazz or fusion backing may prefer broader genre options.
Creative Guitar 1: Cutting – Edge Techniques
Best for players who want a modern approach to improvisation and theory. This book/CD pack covers pentatonic patterns, arpeggios, and guided backing tracks to support creative solos. It’s well-suited for mid-level players building a repertoire of scale shapes and phrasing. Limitation: the material emphasizes technique and theory; beginners may need additional foundational practice before fully leveraging the backing tracks.
Motley Crue: Guitar Play-Along Volume 188
Best for rock and metal players who want high-energy, track-backed practice. This book includes online audio to accompany 80 pages of TAB and arrangement notes, aiding fast learning of rhythm and lead parts. Caution: Metal/hard rock bands may require players to adapt to sharp timbres not present in all schools of blues-influenced guitar.
Songs of the 1960s – New Decade Series
Best for pianists and guitarists seeking broad era hits with robust online backing. The 418-page volume presents a comprehensive set of classic songs suitable for ensemble practice and solo work with accompaniment. It’s an excellent choice for players who want a wide repertoire in a single collection. Caution: the format is shared among piano, vocal, and guitar, which may require careful page organization for guitarists focusing only on guitar parts.
Classic Rock Deluxe Guitar Play-Along Volume 7
Best for players targeting timeless rock anthems with accessible TAB. This volume pairs classic rock tracks with online audio so players can practice rhythm and lead lines with authentic-sounding grooves. A caution: some tracks emphasize late-1970s to early-80s rock idioms; modern players may want to supplement with contemporary backing tracks for a broader sound palette.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations For Selecting Backing Tracks
- Genre Focus: Choose tracks that fit your preferred styles (blues, rock, metal, bolero, etc.).
- Notation and Tabs: Look for books that provide clear TAB or standard notation to guide improvisation.
- Audio Quality: Online audio or CDs should offer clean mix with distinct guitar parts for easier practice.
- Skill Level: Match the difficulty of the backing tracks to your current proficiency to maximize learning gains.
- Catalog Breadth: A larger catalog can support longer practice sessions and varied repertoire.
- Format Preference: Decide between printed books with CDs, online audio, or digital TAB for portability and convenience.
FAQ
- What backing track format is best for beginners?
Books with CD or downloadable audio paired with clear TAB help beginners align rhythm and phrasing with the guitar part.
- Are online audio tracks easier to use than CDs?
Online tracks offer immediate access and sometimes adjustable tempo, which can aid gradual skill progression.
- Should I mix genres to improve versatility?
Yes. A mix of blues, rock, and pop-backed tracks helps develop flexible phrasing and timing.
- Do these products include complete song arrangements?
Most provide song arrangements with TAB or notation tailored for guitar; some volumes also include additional online audio.
- What should I consider when buying for a group lesson?
Look for books with multiple songs, reproducible pages, and audio that works with group tempo pacing.
- Can backing tracks substitute for a live band?
Backing tracks are a practice tool and not a replacement for real-band experience, but they help with timing, groove, and soloing.