Backing tracks question - grade 3 improv with C major / A minor pentatonic. Am I doing it right?

[Stuartw]

As part of Grade 3 it has been pushing improvisation more. Now that I have a way of playing BT’s (and recording if I want to) I have been been using them for the C major and A minor pentatonic scales but not sure if I am using them right.

Generally I start the BT (with the volume set low & let it amble on in the background) and then just improvise licks around that and to a certain extent ignoring the BT.

I guess that my question is am I doing this as intended?

[stitch]

@Stuartw

just improvise licks around that and to a certain extent ignoring the BT.

You play to the backing track. Your licks have to be in time with the music other wise your just making noise.
The best way to start using backing tracks is the call and responce method.
Think of BB King’s style of playing

[Jozsef]

Here’s a lesson on how to get started with improvising over backing tracks:

Major Scale Improvisation

These principles also apply to the minor pentatonic scale as well. Later on, you will want to target the chord tones more directly provided you know which key the backing track is in and what the chord progression is.

@Stuartw

to a certain extent ignoring the BT.

Don’t ignore the backing track since that provides the context to what you play.

If a song is in the key of C, all the notes in the C major scale will sound good. So you can play them over any of the chords in the same key.

Which means that you still have to pay attention to the tempo and keep time with the backing track.

[Stuartw]

@stitch

You play to the backing track. Your licks have to be in time with the music other wise your just making noise.

True but it’s my noise

@stitch

The best way to start using backing tracks is the call and responce method.

I’ll be honest with and say that I have no idea what you mean!

[Stuartw]

@Jozsef

Here’s a lesson on how to get started with improvising over backing tracks:

I’ve did that some time ago but didn’t really do much at the time which is why i have come back to it.

@Jozsef

Don’t ignore the backing track since that provides the context to what you play.

Noted. I guess I better turn it up a bit and listen a bit more.

@Jozsef

Which means that you still have to pay attention to the tempo and keep time with the backing track.

The one I generally use is at 80bpm which is nice a slow which is great for me. Too much faster and my fingers don’t keep up!

[Socio]

@Stuartw

@stitch

The best way to start using backing tracks is the call and responce method.

I’ll be honest with and say that I have no idea what you mean!

Here’s an old prison blues call and response

So you play a phrase for the call and a phrase for the response on the guitar.

[sairfingers]

This must be why a guitar is often referred to as an axe.

[DarrellW]

@Stuartw

I’ll be honest with and say that I have no idea what you mean!

Think of it as a conversation, asking a question in the first phrase (usually ending on a high note as you would in conversation) and then the answer (possibly ending on a lower note or same level).
It’s nothing complicated, just a convention use in blues, but it’s by no means mandatory.