Working with Backup Vocals

Certain musical resources have always and will always work to make a song sound better if they're done right. A good example of this is the use of backing vocals. A song can sound quite blah with just the lead vocal. It's not that it's necessary to use them in every song, but if you're looking to stand out from the majority of bands in your neighbourhood or town, don't overlook the power this can give to your music. A good 80% of the songs you listen to use them because they work and your audience will love them. Good vocals and backups with a proper mix make the average listener say 'Hey,these guys sound good!'

How many members in your band have a microphone in front of them? If you as the band leader know anything about basic harmony and some of your members have a tuned voice. Place a mic in front of them, at first just to see what happens, then work with what you've got (who's got a high voice or who could do a lower voice?). If they're able to sing well in unison or maybe even harmonize, you'll be giving your band some uniqueness.

Singing harmony is a dicipline which needs to be practiced a lot, but when you get the gist you'll be able to sing and listen to the other vocals as well. And with enough practice, you'll even be able to improvise in the practice hall or even during live shows.

Basic Vocal Harmony - a two minute tour
Someone told me years ago when I was having some trouble finding a good harmony vocal for a song, that harmony vocals usually stick to the same note and don't usually change note as much as the melody line. Ever since that day, I've had no trouble at all making harmony parts for songs. If you ever have problems like this, try staying on the same note throughout the whole phrase or part and change the note only if and when needed. I'm sure you'll find that it works with at least 80% success, if not more!

When working with harmony, see what note the melody starts with then experiment with intervals from that starting note, for example a 3rd, 4th or a 5th above or below the note. In a three part harmony (melody + 2 backups), you can choose a note interval below the starting melody note to give body to the vocal mix and then perhaps a note interval above the melody. There are many combinations you could use, but this is a very good starting point.

How to learn a harmony part
I know it's difficult for a beginner to remember a harmony vocal at first but you can try this method if you're having trouble: Once you have a harmony part worked out, record the song (even with just the rhythm guitar) and record the melody part of the song with it. Now record the harmony part on top and make sure it's louder than the melody in the mix. Hand this to the member who's going to sing it for them to practice. This way they'll get used to hearing THEIR part in the song and not end up singing in unison with the melody or going off tune.

If you want to work with backup vocals, it's a good idea to just use one instrument at low volume as a reference like a keyboard or a guitar, and when the vocals are sounding right try them together with all the instruments. I strongly recommend using this method when working harmony parts because it's easier to hear who's off key or who needs help with their part.

Final WordsYou'll find that it's rewarding to hear harmony vocals when you're the lead singer, you feel that you're backed up and not carrying the load all by yourself. Think of them as your 'helpers'. Also, this is a sure sign that everyone in the group is listening to each other, which is important to make the sound tight. Audiences also love to hear good vocals which produce the 'goose pimple' effect when they're sounding nice. Don't fool yourself into thinking that even a screaming Death Metal band couldn't use good harmony vocals in certain parts of their songs.