The backing tracks.
We have produced two complete sets of backing tracks for Stringtastic Beginners, a set of piano accompaniments and a set of band tracks. We felt that this would give students more flexibility in their practice and would allow for different options in performance.
The pieces were originally conceived for strings and piano and, as a result, we feel that the piano backing tracks work really well. They were performed by Mark on his, somewhat ancient, Techniks SX P30 keyboard, recorded in midi, edited and then given the sound of a Bösendorfer grand piano. Just a small improvement on Mark’s keyboard!
The band backing tracks were Paul’s domain, with the exception of the orchestrated pieces, which Mark scored using the Sibelius program and Paul enhanced with better orchestral samples. Both composers really enjoyed the process of re-imagining the piano parts, Mark in a more traditional, orchestral sense and Paul in all sorts of weird and whacky ways! We’ve been amazed at how easily these pieces transformed into so many different musical styles.
Why two sets of backing tracks?
Initially, Faber wanted one set of backing tracks, so why would we double our workload by creating two sets? The answer is quite simple: to give the pupil and teacher greater flexibility. One set of backing tracks might work better than the other, depending on the teaching situation. Let’s explore this a little bit further.
In individual or small group lessons where the teacher is accompanying their students on the piano, the piano backing tracks would probably be more appropriate for the pupils to use at home. If children are learning in a whole class situation, or the books are being used in a beginner string orchestra, then the band tracks, with their fuller sound and added percussion, might be more exciting and would be more easily heard by the players.
We designed Stringtastic to be as flexible as possible as a teaching resource. We hope that the backing tracks are useful in your teaching and that you enjoy using them. We’d love to hear your thoughts on them.
Here are the piano and band backing tracks for Fanfare for a Musician.
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