Customized Guitar Backing Tracks: Variable Tempo and Key

Did you know your backing tracks are no longer tied to a specific tempo or key? You might find that hard to believe, but it's true. There are 10 FREE examples below. Download one or download all of them.

How can you transform these ordinary mp3 files into variable tempo and key files? By using Song Surgeon. Click the big, red, download button on the right and download and install Song Surgeon on your Mac (OSX) or Windows computer. After you open the program, you will see toward the bottom of the main interface, sections for Tempo and Pitch. Using the + or - buttons or the preset buttons, you can change tempo or key or both at once. This will allow you to customize the backing track for your use.

Once you have modified the key and/or tempo to meet your needs, simply EXPORT the file to create a new audio file with your changes embedded and you are done.

If you like the ability to customize backing tracks and make multiple tracks of various tempos and keys, then you might want to consider purchasing Song Surgeon. In addition to these basic functionalities, the Pro version also contains a 31 band EQ, a YouTube downloader, audio editing capabilities and much more.

Below is a brief description of each backing track and a link to download the adjustable key and tempo, cPod file.

Backing tracks

Hot Blooded —Great Foreigner head-banging rock & roll guitar. The entire background track is here for you to play crunchy rhythm behind or lead guitar or vocals. It jams.

Can’t Get Enough —Supergroup, Bad Company’s first album hit. The entire background track is here for you to play great chord rhythms behind. The center guitar lead solo is harmony guitar. We give you the lower of the two. Play along with the higher solo line! Add your own vocals while you’re at it.

Little Wing —Great chance to play one of Hendrix’s best. The entire background track is here for you to play along with. Vocals are up to you to sing.

Honky Tonk Woman —Rolling Stones’ classic rock tune. Here’s a chance to play those Keith Richards open guitar chord rhythms. The entire background track is here for you to play along with... add lead and vocals while you’re at it.

Tush —ZZTops Texas rock classic with vocals to play along with.
Play all the guitar you got!

Back in Black —AC/DC British rock anthem. The basic guitar track is included
to learn from, but the little riffs and solo are waiting to be performed by you.
The entire background track is here for you to play along with.
Vocals are up to you to sing.

Walk This Way —This is your chance to be on stage with Aerosmith.
You’ll be Joe Perry. The entire background track is here for you to play along with.
Add lead guitar and vocals and you’ll get far.

Smoke on the Water —Deep Purple’s biggest hit. The band has left the guitar
chores to you. It’s great to get to play along to this guitar classic. You need
to learn the Ritchie Blackmore solo because that hole is waiting for you!

All Right Now —Free! The song that 9 out of 10 guitarists continue
to struggle with. Here’s your opportunity to play it right. The entire
background track is here for you to play marshal amp rhythm to.
There’s room for the unique Paul Koss of lead guitar solo and Paul Rogers
lead vocal. A real classic rock guitar tune.

I Get Around —Have some real fun with this Beach Boys 1964 classic.
See if you can play this surf rhythm and fender jaguar guitar solo with
key modulation. The entire background track is here for you to play along
with. Vocals are up to you to sing.