Most capable singers who are at least familiar with harmony are quite capable of finding the 3rd (Major third off the melody line). The problem, however, arises when they stick TOO closely to the 3rd – or what’s called a “parallel (3rd) harmony”. Parallel harmonies (3rd’s) that never stray from the 3rd can REALLY mess …
Effective Backing Vocals
I don’t know how many of us have witnessed multiple lead vocalists attempting to share the same vocal stage – during the same song. While there may be some true “harmony” present, there can be a perceived “limelight-hog” air about the event that can leave the participants feeling like they’ve gotten a pedicure from a cheese grater (slightly …
Operating In Harmony
Have you ever arrived at practice with singers that are very capable at improvisational harmonies, but end up criss-crossing, doubling, leaving open 5ths, or inadvertently dropping into melody? There is a tendency to assume that just because you “can” harmonize on-the-fly, that there need be no preparation for the vocalists before practice. However, preparing multiple …
Basics of Back Up Vocals
There’s a major problem facing the church, one of such severe magnitude that we all must take action now! Back-up vocalists are singing too much. Ok, so maybe the issue isn’t as big as I said, but still, can we discuss? When serving as a vocalist on a worship team we are either vocally leading …
Vocal Warm-Ups
Our vocalists have an interesting struggle, in that their instrument is their voice and their voice (or vocal chords) is a muscle. To achieve a greater sound from any instrument it needs to be taken care of. Just as a guitarist will show up on a Sunday morning, plug-in, and check the tuning on his …