What is backing vocals? This is the name of the singing that accompanies the main part. Literally, the concept is translated as "singing in the background." Not a single soloist, not a single singing superstar can do without second parties. Ideal is such a musical accompaniment with a voice that is almost impossible to hear. It harmoniously supports the main part, creating a unique melody drawing, emphasizing the main theme and making the soloist’s voice more expressive. It is generally accepted that songs with backing vocals are divided into two types. In some compositions, they support the main melody, while in others they contrast with it. Most often, backing vocals sound on short sections of a song, for example, in the refrain. At concerts, members of the group or specially hired singers act as a hype. When recording albums, when it is possible to use technical means, the second part is performed by the soloist. Everyone had to sing along with them, and not just at concerts. Backing tracks with backing vocals are very popular at karaoke clubs.
What is the difficulty?
Many pop singers began their careers by singing along with the stars. All of them say: to sing the second part is many times more difficult than to solo. Why? Because the lead singer is the main one on the stage. The musicians and vocalists adapt to it. If the soloist begins to sing on the wrong note, backing vocals should begin with it. If the soloist makes a mistake, then the rest should work so that it can not be heard. The task of the supporting vocalists is to carefully monitor everything that happens on the stage and sing so that the blemishes of the soloist are not noticeable. Such a performance is not for everyone. It happens that the solo vocalist rearranges the verses, forgets the text, starts at the wrong time. The backing should have time to react to all this, while remaining absolutely calm, but ready to instantly be rebuilt. That's why the backing groups are arranged so that the singer's lips are visible. A slightly different situation in rock compositions. There exist their own techniques (for example, growling and screaming), which differ from the techniques of pop vocal accompaniment.
An ideal backing vocalist is one whose part went unnoticed. This does not mean that he should remain in the shade: the absence of a hype can impoverish the composition. But he should not stick out to the forefront. The task of backing vocals is to accompany and decorate the composition, and not to demonstrate your own voice. If you want to learn to sing along at home, use karaoke or backing tracks with backing vocals. Try to start your party calmly, ideally falling into tonality. Start and finish singing at the right time. Believe me, this is much more complicated than it seems. When you learn to perfectly repeat the backing vocals, begin to sing along to the solo vocalist, trying to "get" into his tonality and manner of performance in the most accurate way. Of course, you can learn to sing along on your own, but the best way to master backing vocals and solo vocals is to graduate from music school or at least courses.