Adapting backing tracks
Im working to branch out a bit and would like to play For Once in My Life the stevie wonder classic.
I found tabs online in the key of C.
The only backing track I find is in the key of F.
So it appears I would need to transpose the Tabs to key of F and use an F harp (first pos) or a Bb harp Second position.
This is a lot of effort.
Then I see there are some sites that appear to customize Jam Tracks. What does this mean?
Can anyone give me some guidance here?
gary
When I want to learn a new song I go to Musescore first to find out if there is a version with the chords in it. Sometimes you can find a free midi file to import into Musescore and then modify. There is a subcription fee to download but I use it all the time so it works for me. Then I download it into the free Mac software and transpose it to fit the key of the harmonica I have. I then add harmonica tabs and export it to midi. I produce a pdf for my iPad and store it in Forescore to later link the backing track to it. Then I import the midi to the melody track in Band In A Box and add the chords. Using real band styles I find the a style that I like. I then render it to mp3 for either a backing track by muting the melody track or decrease the vol of the melody track for a play along version. It took a long time to figure all this out but I like the results.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impro-Visor is a tool which can also help you take a fresh look at tunes. You can use it to get a (generally, jazz focused) accompaniment track to play to, and even improvisation lead sheet based off a melody and an "improvisation grammar" using artificial intelligence. It even has some training modes in which you "trade" licks with the computer (using a midi interface). The user interface (mouse and keyboard shortcuts) is a bit obnoxious, but it is a really cool tool if you have the time to spend on it. I only dabbled in it because I don't have the time and in the end I prefer to spend it playing, but hey... it's free software, BTW.
Thanks, wasn't aware of this. Just tried generating and improv based on chords and exported it to MIDI. Opened the midi file in Musescore (free) and then added the Harmonica tab to the improv. Impro-Visor also exported the backing tracks so you can modify them and then export to mp3 for playback. You could change the instruments in Musescore and adjust the vol levels.
If you export out of Impro with xml you only get the leadsheet but it does show the chord names. It does not export chord names in midi but you could add them in Musescore.
Cool and thanks
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Songs often get tabbed in C because it's the default key for most chromatics. Stevie sings the first part in F, but then when it's time for the solo, the key goes up one semitone to F#. This doesn not happen for harmonica related reasons. It's just the standard trick of injecting energy intoa pop song by raising the key. It just happened tofall where the solo comes.
Go to harptabs.com. there is a version there. You will be able to use the tabs with any harp.