Aug 07

Be a Star By Serving The Music, Sing Backup

If you want to be center stage and star of the show, you cannot sing backup. You must sing behind the star, not overpower them. Backup singing is for those who can besatisfied playing a support role to the idol of the show.

This is a difficult skill to learn and is not much understood or appreciated. Similar to an instrumental accompanist, this style of singing requires that you listen very intently and be sensitive . Listening and reacting to the main singers phrasing, you must begin and end as they do. It may well be good to think of yourself as the singers shadow, never noticed but always present.

The best place on stage for a backup singer is wherever you can see the singers mouth at all times, this is the key. The job of backup singing is much harder if you can’t see the singers face. Learn to watch the singer at all times. The singer will change course or make a mistake and only if you are aware can you react. Keep your eyes on the singer. Be on the lookout for a simple nod of the head or gesture that may indicate a repeat or change of course.

As the singer goes, so must you. Blend to their phrasing. If you want to blend in the proper way, start your phrase just after the singer starts theirs. If you are not sure of how loud they are going to be, start your melody quietly and raise your level as the line develops. Do not pronounce consonants too hard at the start of a phrase. If you pronounce a consonant too hard and it is slightly off from the main singers line, it will be very noticeable and dissonant.

The same technique is to be applied to the ending of all lines as well. If you gradually ease off your melody as the singer does the same, you will not end after they do and cause much embarrassment to yourself and the band as a whole. If you follow these singing tips, watch, listen and blend in; you can be a professional backup singer in very short order.

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