November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Sam Smith - Diamonds (Guitar Backing Track)

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Sam Smith's latest song has a cool chord progression, pretty simple but the addition of the F major means harmonic minor is an option for soloing.

Test your improv skills over this Sam Smith, Diamonds-style backing track. Comprised of only 4 chords: B♭m, D♭, F and G♭. Try out the B♭ natural minor, minor pentatonic and harmonic minor scales for best results!

B♭ Natural Minor

B♭ Minor Pentatonic

B♭ Harmonic Minor

B♭ Minor Chords

D♭ major Chords

F major Chords

G♭major Chords

Sam Smith - Love Goes

Released in 2020.

Features songs such as Diamonds, So Serious, Another One, Love Goes and For The Lover That I Lost.

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Fleet Foxes - Can I Believe You - Guitar Backing Track

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

I'm a huge fan of Fleet Foxes, and Even saw them live once at Green Man Festival about 12 years ago. They continue to impress me and I was very inspired by this song, so thought i'd have a go at improvising over it! Hope you like it!

Test your improv skills over this Fleet Foxes, Can I Believe You-style backing track. Comprised of only 5 chords: C#m, B, F#, E and Emaj7. Try out the B major scale and major pentatonic for best results! Don't forget to tag us in your videos!

B major Pentatonic

B Major

C# Minor Chords

B Major Chords

F# Major Chords

E Major Chords

E major 7th Chords

Fleet Foxes - Shore

Released in 2020.

Features songs such as sunblind, can i believe you, for a week or two and young man’s game.

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Van Morrison - Moondance (Guitar Improvisation)

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Loosely based/maybe just inspired by Van Morrison’s Moondance.

Test your improv skills over this Van Morrison, Moondance-style backing track. Comprised of only 2 chords: Am & Bm/A. Try out the A minor pentatonic and dorian scales for best results! Don't forget to tag us in your videos!

Let me know what you think!

A Dorian

A Minor Pentatonic

A Minor Chords

Bmin/A Chords

Van Morrison - Moondance

Released in 1970.

Features songs such as Moondance, into the mystic, these dreams of you, and it stoned me and brand new day.

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

The Police - Message in a Bottle - Guitar Backing Track

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

One of my favourite songs, but also some of my favourite musicians, of course, Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers.

Test your improv skills over this Police, message in a bottle-style backing track. Comprised of 4 chords: Csus2, G#sus2, A#sus2 and Fsus2. Try out the C minor pentatonic and natural minor scales for best results! Don't forget to tag us in your videos!

C minor pentatonic

C Natural Minor

Csus2 Chords

A#Sus2 Chords

G#sus2 Chords

Fsus2 Chords

The Police - Reggatta De Blanc

Released in 1979.

Features songs such as the message in a bottle, bring on the night, walking on the moon and deathwish.

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Mellow, Romantic & Soulful Backing Track in G major

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Test your improv skills over this chilled romantic backing track. Comprised of 3 chords, G major, A minor and C major. Try out the G major scale, or just G major pentatonic for best results!

G major pentatonic

G major Scale

G major Chords

A Minor Chords

C Major Chords

B.B. King - Completely Well

Released in 1960.

Features songs such as the thrill is gone, so excited, no good and Cryin’ won’t help you now.

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Relaxed Backing Track in Am (Inspired by Stairway to Heaven)

November 14, 2020

James Ashbury

Led Zeppelin are one of the greatest bands of all time! Enjoy playing over this backing track, just don’t play it in a music shop!

Test your improv skills over this relaxed backing track. Comprised of 6 chords, Am, Cmaj7/G#, C/G, D/F#, F, and E7. Try out the A natural minor, minor pentatonic or harmonic minor scales for best results!

A Natural Minor

A Minor Pentatonic

A Harmonic Minor

A Minor Chords

C Maj7/G# Chords

C/G Chords

D/F# Chords

F major Chords

E7 Chords

Led Zeppelin - LED Zeppelin IV

Released in 1971.

Features songs such as Stairway to heaven, rock and roll, black dog and going to california.

November 13, 2020

James Ashbury

Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number

November 13, 2020

James Ashbury

Toots Hibbert was such an inspirational musician and it saddened me to hear about his passing recently! He was a big inspiration to so many people and worked with so many of the greats! This is one of my favourites and probably one of yours too! Hope you enjoy it!

Test your improv skills over this 54-46 Was my number-style backing track. Comprised of just 2 chords, G and C. Try out the G major and major pentatonic for best results!