FAQs: Backing Tracks

Who is this service for?

This service is ideal for a range of people, including musical theatre performers, drama school applicants, singing teachers, students preparing for exams, composers needing demo recordings, singers without access to a live accompanist, and many more! Anyone is welcome to request a track, whether you’re wanting to sing in the shower, or a fully-fledged West End or Broadway professional.

It is particularly useful for those preparing auditions at home so that you can feel confident going into the room.

No. YouTube backing tracks are generic, and often times are simply tracks that have had the vocal line removed using AI.

Custom backing tracks are more useful in many ways. Because it follows your own sheet music, a custom track is perfect for when you’ve got an audition cut of a song, want to perform your own interpretation, or even just change the key. There are no lengthy instrumentals (unless you want one!) in the middle, and they’re tailored to your exact needs. 

Generic YouTube karaoke tracks often use altered arrangements, contain instrumental solos, have fixed tempos, and are not always accurate.

Turnaround time is typically very fast; it will be same day where possible, but usually within three days depending on demand. 

Many customers use this service when they need a track urgently, they are preparing a last-minute self-tape or audition, or their accompanist has cancelled.

If you need your track urgently, send me an email after purchase and I will try to prioritise your track.

Yes. You can send a .pdf (or any other image file) of your sheet music, and I will record a piano accompaniment based exactly on your score.

This is not an automated MIDI or AI-generated track, it is recorded specifically for your music by a professional musical director with years of experience as an audition pianist.

This service is ideal for musical theatre auditions, singing exams (ABRSM, Trinity, GCSE, A-Level), drama school applications, choir rehearsals, composer demos, or practice tracks for singers.

A clear, readable PDF is strongly preferred. However, if you only have photos, please ensure the images are high resolution, all pages are included fully, and the music is clearly legible. Unclear sheet music may delay recording.

Yes, each custom backing track purchase will come with three files in .mp3 or .wav format.

One track will have a solo piano accompaniment, one track will have a solo vocal line played on the piano, and one track will have both at the same time. 

The price is £12 per track. This includes a professionally recorded piano accompaniment, a guide vocal version, and a combination piano/vocal track. These will be provided as .mp3 or .wav files, and based exactly on your provided sheet music. 

Most professional accompanists charge significantly more for custom recording work.

This service is designed to be affordable for students, and accessible for auditions. Because it is delivered online without studio hire or in-person sessions, the cost remains low while maintaining quality.

Yes. If you need your track recorded in a different key to the sheet music, that’s no problem at all. Let me know when placing your order, and I can record in any key that you’d like.

Please bear in mind that if you take the sheet music into an audition or a room with a live accompanist, they won’t necessarily play it in the same key as your recording. You would need to find sheet music in your desired key in that case.

Yes. You may include performance notes to help customise your track. These might include changing the tempo of the entire track for rehearsal or auditions, slowing down a specific section to emphasise a moment, or creating a particular stylistic feel to highlight your performance.

The more detail you provide, the more tailored the result.

That said, if you’re wanting to completely change the song (for example, a jazz arrangement of a ballad), please get in touch before making your purchase. This would likely require re-arrangement rather than a straight recording. If you’re unsure, drop me an email and I can let you know!

Yes. You can use a recorded accompaniment for an ABRSM exam, and you can read their guidance on this here. Many students use this service for ABRSM singing exams, Trinity College London exams, and drama school auditions.

Please check your exam board’s most current regulations regarding recorded accompaniment, as it can vary. If you have the option, I would always suggest going with a live accompanist on the day over a backing track, especially if you can rehearse with them beforehand. However, some performers prefer to know exactly what they’re getting on the day, and a backing track guarantees that. 

Although I’m based in the UK, this is a fully online service and available worldwide. Delivery is digital, so location does not matter.

No. This is a real recorded performance, and is not computer-generated. I use Logic Pro as an audio workstation, alongside a range of keyboards to record myself playing your song.

That means you’ll be getting natural and musical phrasing, timing that’s informed by the song, and expressive dynamics. This creates a more supportive experience for singers.