Break Away II

When two or more voices sing together you have vocal harmony, if they sing well. The third, fifth or seventh of the chord is usually used for the harmony part. Most bands today use two or three parts for harmony. It will only help you to sing harmony if you have a basic understanding of chord structure. Listen for the other harmonies as you listen to music and you will begin to be able to separate them. Taking a class is always a good way to get started and expand your knowledge of music theory.

Harmony is best learned when you are listening to all music with a critical ear. Sing along with songs with a harmony part in mind, do not sing the main melody. If you can find someone else to practice with, that is ideal. If you both trade off who sings which part, that can be fun and give you each an opportunity to sing the harmony as well as the melody. You may of course have to transpose songs into other keys so that you both are comfortable with your parts.

The local college usually has a choir you can join or class you can take. It is easier than it might seem at first, just remeber how much you love singing and it will all go well. There are small singing groups as well as large choirs and jazz. Some of the most amazing harmonies can be found in bluegrass or folk music.

Use the piano to understand harmony parts and remember them visually. The piano is so useful in all aspects of music it is important that you know at least the basics. The piano will help to find the melody above or below the melody easily. Once you begin to play piano you will be rewarded all of your life for doing so.

You will greatly advance in your harmony singing if you follow these techniques. Remember to always be the harmony, not to overpower with the main singer. Much of being a good harmony singer is to be subservient to the music.

If singing behind the headliner is not enough for you, do not attempt to sing backup. You must sing behind the star, not overpower them. If you can control your need to be the center of attention, you can learn backup singing.

This is a difficult skill to learn and is not much understood or appreciated. Similar to an instrumental accompanist, this method of singing requires that you listen very intently and be responsive . You have to begin and end the phrase exactly as the main singer does, you must breathe as they do. As a shadow is always there, so is the effective backup singer.

If you can control your place on the stage, see to it that you can see the singer at all times. To sing backup effectively, this is very, very vital to your job. You must watch the main singer always. If you are watching the singer you can see when they make a mistake or intentionally take another repeat etc. Your eyes must be glued to 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 are watching the singer you can start your line slightly after they start in order to blend properly. If you are not sure of how loud they are going to be, start your line quietly and raise your level as the phrase develops. Do not pronounce consonants too hard at the start of a line. It may be advisable not to pronounce a hard consonant at all as it may produce a disagreeable conflict with the main melody.

The end of melodies 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. So learn to blend phrases, listen and watch the main singer and you can be a backup singer every band wants to hire.