sing backingvocals in popsongs |
As (choir) singer with some sense of harmony quickly figures out where he/she can come up with a second or even third part. That in itself could be called “backing vocals”.
As a backing vocalis (or background singer) you are sometimes also part of the band. You sing different parts together with several people that add substance to the melody. Backingvocals are in fact an instrument in itself (like a section of trumpets, or the right hand of piano playing chords) |
Backingvocals do not always follow the melody line. Sometimes they add their own value tot he mood / groove of the arrangement of the band playing. You can do backings with long “oohs” and “aahs”, but you can also use words from the lyrics to add value to the lyrics in the melody line. But harmonising background singers can also make rhythmic souds or words that are sung playfully around the melody line and/or therefor give extra punch in a groovy arrangement. |
workshop with amateur youth choirs from Belgie and Hongary. (EMJ 2022)
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This workshop does not focus on singing the melody line but really on the fun of harmonising in popsongs. I use existing backingvocals, but also have created a few originals which we can have a good time with.
And then you may think that they are simple vocalising, but believe me, depending on the level of the group I’m working with, I will challenge you ! 😊 |
parallel to the lead vocal
here Frances starts solo on 1’6” the 2nd part joins at 1’34” the 3rd part joins |
Single phrase that stands on its own
Bjorn and Benny have a very simple groove here with their famous “take a chance, take a chance, take a take a chance chance..”. |
Own part, seperate from the melody-line
0’33” : from here the backings start doing their own thing. Sometimes question-answer (playful dialogue) game with the lead vocal |