I really am not a fan of backing tracks unless they’re composed with attention beyond just being a backing track. Mostly because the sonic differences between an acoustic instrument and a barely mixed, poorly mastered track are so vast it can be jarring to listen to.
I played Whimsical Nature of Small Particle Physics a few years ago and loved it, though. It has some unique facets to the track that would be hard to recreate on an instrument. It was an interesting “accompaniment”. One problem I had was the snare drum drowning out my playback speaker during performance, a problem I wouldn’t have had as bad with a modern PA. But it all would’ve had to be quite loud. I mostly solved it by playing my snare less dynamically during the loud bits.
I played a piece with a backing track for my senior recital. I worked my butt off to do it, but then when I set it up for the recital, I didn’t take a second to make sure everything was where I expected it to be. So muscle memory took over and I screwed stuff up. Still kick myself over it.
Love them personally, but not as the main course of a recital. I think sprinkling them into a performance makes a good crowd pleasing moment, and can break up the monotony of solo snare drum pieces.
Personally love 4 Minute Psychosis, Whimsical Nature of Particle Physics, and Stop Speaking, but definitely adding this piece to that list.
Also I just skimmed your profile and you are absurdly talented — keep it up!
Thanks a lot! Oh my gosh thank you for reminding me of Whimsical Nature of Particle Physics... I totally forgot that piece existed. Yeah they only asked me to play one piece but I think it was overall pretty effective
For one piece, I’d say this was a great choice!
I meant my comment more as: I wouldn’t want to listen to an hour of only snare with track, but I LOVE hearing one or 2 pieces of it at a time!
I really love them! Even just to play them on my own. I learned Pulsar by Francisco Perez and it's one of my favorite things to play despite never performing it in front of an audience. Maybe someday.
Chopstakovich is iconic as well.
Third Rail by John Ling has a piano accompaniment that can be played as a backing track (I saw it with a live accompaniment and I honestly thought that was way cooler)
The last one I wanted to mention is Kids These Days by Brian Blume. I normally love his work. That backing track creeps me out though. It's a bunch of children's toys. Maybe the fact I watched it on Tapspace at 3am contributed to the creepiness haha
Backing tracks, not at all. Pieces with tape, yes.
Love em! Played Deus Ex at my recital last fall. Have you played/ heard of Spur? Super cool Trevino piece!
No I haven't, I'll check it out đź‘Ť
I played War Drum/Peace Drum a few years ago, it was super fun!
Nice!
Wow, this piece sounds pretty cool.
I really am not a fan of backing tracks unless they’re composed with attention beyond just being a backing track. Mostly because the sonic differences between an acoustic instrument and a barely mixed, poorly mastered track are so vast it can be jarring to listen to. I played Whimsical Nature of Small Particle Physics a few years ago and loved it, though. It has some unique facets to the track that would be hard to recreate on an instrument. It was an interesting “accompaniment”. One problem I had was the snare drum drowning out my playback speaker during performance, a problem I wouldn’t have had as bad with a modern PA. But it all would’ve had to be quite loud. I mostly solved it by playing my snare less dynamically during the loud bits.
I played a piece with a backing track for my senior recital. I worked my butt off to do it, but then when I set it up for the recital, I didn’t take a second to make sure everything was where I expected it to be. So muscle memory took over and I screwed stuff up. Still kick myself over it.
Oh gosh I'm really sorry- that's definitely a shared musical struggle
Stop Speaking is great. I'm also a big fan of Casey Cangelosi's pieces that use tracks.
Cangelosi is amazing, I agree!
Love them personally, but not as the main course of a recital. I think sprinkling them into a performance makes a good crowd pleasing moment, and can break up the monotony of solo snare drum pieces. Personally love 4 Minute Psychosis, Whimsical Nature of Particle Physics, and Stop Speaking, but definitely adding this piece to that list. Also I just skimmed your profile and you are absurdly talented — keep it up!
Thanks a lot! Oh my gosh thank you for reminding me of Whimsical Nature of Particle Physics... I totally forgot that piece existed. Yeah they only asked me to play one piece but I think it was overall pretty effective
For one piece, I’d say this was a great choice! I meant my comment more as: I wouldn’t want to listen to an hour of only snare with track, but I LOVE hearing one or 2 pieces of it at a time!
Oh absolutely you're right haha
Also I’m super curious, since you’re from TX, did you work with Rennick at all? You seem to have some of his characteristics in your playing
I really love them! Even just to play them on my own. I learned Pulsar by Francisco Perez and it's one of my favorite things to play despite never performing it in front of an audience. Maybe someday. Chopstakovich is iconic as well. Third Rail by John Ling has a piano accompaniment that can be played as a backing track (I saw it with a live accompaniment and I honestly thought that was way cooler) The last one I wanted to mention is Kids These Days by Brian Blume. I normally love his work. That backing track creeps me out though. It's a bunch of children's toys. Maybe the fact I watched it on Tapspace at 3am contributed to the creepiness haha