Piano backing tracks for Major scales

Music in major keys without piano parts made for improvise and exercise with. For keyboard or piano.

Backing track for C Major scale including melody example

Only backing track:

C Major backing track with only chords (pdf)

Backing track with piano melody:

C Major backing track with melody notes (pdf)

Scale diagram for the backing track:
C major scale diagram

These backing tracks are music arrangements created for play-along practice using various Major scales, with charts provided adjacent to each track. The Major Scales Backing Tracks album includes instrumental tracks, in pop, rock and other genres.

The tracks are created to fit with a specific scale; therefore, you don't have to change scale during the song. Regardless if you can recognize the chords, you should in general be restrictive with, or use primarily as passing tones, the 4th and 7th notes (weak tones) in the scale. These notes can create dissonance against the 1st and 3rd scale notes in the I chord. For example, in C Major, the 7th (B) works well over most diatonic chords in the key of C, but it can sound a little dissonant played over the C chord (I chord).

In the beginning, it might not sound as good as you wish playing with a backing track. But as you continue the journey, your vocabulary (licks and phrases) will develop and that you play will sound more and more interesting.

Don't be afraid to experiment with notes outside the scale. When used sparingly, these notes can contribute a lot. For instance, try to find the neighbor key to the root note in the scale, that can add interest at some part of a track.

A technique for melody that can be incorporated is enclosure. This involves playing notes, diatonic and/or chromatic, that surrounds a target note. This can, for example, be made when a chord changes and the target note could in that case be the root of the new chord.

Click on “Show scale” below the audio element for a diagram of the scale to use.

Backing tracks for Major scales presented by Pianoscales.org.