Backing track generator
Tap a bar to change its chord. Chords are written in Roman numerals, so the progression follows any key you pick.
These notes fit the whole progression. Green marks the tones of the chord playing now – the safest notes to land on a strong beat.
- tonic
- chord tone
- scale note
The site improvises with the notes of this scale – listen, then answer with a phrase of your own. Each “New solo” is a different take.
♩ one beat = a quarter note · 4/4
Keys: Space – start/stop · ← → – tempo ±1 (Shift ±5) · T – tap tempo
Pick a progression and a key, press Start, and a drummer, a bass player and a keyboard player loop it for you. The current and next chord are shown with their shapes on your instrument, and the scale that fits sits right below – everything you need to practise soloing, strumming or learning a song form. Change any chord bar by bar; the progression is written in Roman numerals, so it moves to any key in one click.
More practice tools
What is a backing track for?
It stands in for a band. Improvising over real harmony teaches you to hear chord changes and target chord tones, which a metronome or a drone cannot. Rhythm players use it to practise strumming patterns and chord changes in time, and it is the fastest way to internalise forms like the 12-bar blues.
Which scale should I solo with?
Every progression suggests one: major pentatonic for most pop, minor pentatonic or the blues scale for blues and rock, Dorian for minor funk vamps, Mixolydian for I–♭VII–IV rock. Start with the suggested scale, then aim for the notes of the chord shown in the Now panel on strong beats.
What do the Roman numerals mean?
They name chords by their position in the key: I is the chord on the first note of the scale, V on the fifth, and so on; capitals are major, lower case minor. That is why the same progression works in any key – choose another key and every chord moves with it.
Do I need to download anything?
No. Bass and keys use sampled instruments that load in the background; until they arrive, or if you are offline, a built-in synth plays instead, so the track always starts at once. Your progression and settings are saved in this browser.