I did a bit of Googling the other day for a free blues backing track that I could download in MP3 format. What followed was a succession of dodgy music files that sound like they were generated through the MIDI chip on a £3 sound card. So, I quickly knocked one up in Garageband using some samples from the Jam Packs.

Feel free to snarf it and have a play. Just load it into your favourite MP3 player and set it to repeat. The file is 12 bars and runs for 24 seconds, so you won’t get much of a solo in if you don’t switch repeat on. Key is A.

Positive comments may encourage me to come up with some more interesting backings.

Download it here: http://www.davidhurst.co.uk/downloads/Blues-In-A.mp3

There’s something special about owning a good quality instrument. It’s not snobbery – you pay more, you get more. What I can’t get over, is just how much you do get with the Fender Classic Player 50′s Stratocaster for such a reasonable price. I paid £400 for mine (although the RRP is £500), which is in 2 tone sunburst with a gloss finish maple neck. It compares very favourably with my brother’s USA Standard Stratocaster in terms of tone and finish. Read more »