Backup Singing, Be A Shadow and Shine
If you want to be center stage and headliner of the show, you cannot sing backup. You must sing behind the idol, not overpower them. Backup singing is for those who can becontent playing a support role to the lead act of the show.
To sing backup is much harder than it looks. The ability to listen and be responsive is paramount is this method of singing. You have to begin and end the melody exactly as the main singer does, you must breathe as they do. You must, in effect be the singers shadow.
The best place on stage for a backup singer is wherever you can see the singers mouth at all times, this is the key. To sing backup effectively, this is very, very critical to your job. You must watch the main singer always. If the singer decides to take another chorus or makes a mistake, you can follow them only if you are watching and aware. Keep your eyes on the singer. Often a singer may use a gesture such as a nod of the head to indicate where they are going. Learn their motions and watch out.
As the singer goes, so must you. Blend to their phrasing. If you want to blend in the proper way, start your melody just after the singer starts theirs. If you are not sure of how loud they are going to be, start your line quietly and raise your level as the line develops. Another tip is to be easy on the consonants at the start of a melody. Two consonants sung slightly after each other will sound disagreeable and is largely avoidable.
The end of lines are just as necessary as the beginning. As the singer approaches the end of a melody, gradually decrease your volume so you can avoid the embarrassment of ending after they do. Listen, watch, blend phrases and you can be a professional backup singer every band would love to have.
Tags: Backup Singing, music, sing, sing backup, singer, singing
