Backing Vocals

[AnneC]

For those of you in bands, do you use a lot of backing vocals? If you do, are the parts written or improvised more?

[Steve]

When I played, the parts were all worked out on the guitar or keyboard, and assigned to the appropriate person! It was then up to that person to learn the part!

When you say 'written out' do you mean notation?

[john]

Hi Anne

I tend to use a lot of harmony vocals. I love working with multiple voices!

I don't tend to work with notation too often as many contemporary singers can't read music, however the parts were set and had to be learned.

It's a bit easier with a backing rather than harmony vocal as timing doesn't tend to need to be quite so tight between the vocalists.

Cheers

John

[Steve]

For those of you in bands, do you use a lot of backing vocals? If you do, are the parts written or improvised more?

Do you write out the parts? How? Do you have any examples we can look at? Or can you explain the process you work to?

I'm really quite interested in this!

[Alistair]

BOX OF GOATS USE A LOT OF BACKING VOCALS,

WE MAKE THEM UP THEN PRACTISE THEM

ER...THAT'S IT

[musicthom]

BOX OF GOATS USE A LOT OF BACKING VOCALS,

WE MAKE THEM UP THEN PRACTISE THEM

ER...THAT'S IT

well said Alistair se these pre madonnas canny go them lol

[AnneC]

Do you write out the parts? How? Do you have any examples we can look at? Or can you explain the process you work to?

I'm really quite interested in this!

Well, personally I write out parts but I don't write band music... yet. I really started thinking about this because I'm interested in doing just that and I wanted some input as to how the old pros around here do it.

For those who haven't read previous posts of mine, I currently write choral music. If anyone is interested I could find a way to post up some of my sheet music and possibly some commentary of how it took shape.

[Steve]

Post away!

[ramadhaniyanto]

It's a bit easier with a backing rather than harmony vocal as timing doesn't tend to need to be quite so tight between the vocalists.

oh! so there are backing vocals and there are harmony vocals?

what's the difference?

are harmony vocals the one singing at a minor third interval above (or minor sixth interval below), and backing vocals don't follow this structure? because i like to multitrack myself so this information is really helpful