A Backup Singer Is a Star in Their Own Right
To sing backup, you must learn to serve the music, not yourself. You must sing behind the idol, not overpower them. You must be able to play a supporting position to the headliner and not feel left out if you want to sing backup.
To sing backup is much harder than it looks. The ability to listen and be responsive is paramount is this type of singing. Listening and reacting to the main singers phrasing, you must begin and end as they do. You must, in effect be the singers shadow.
The best place on stage for a backup singer is wherever you can see the singers mouth at all times, this is the key. If you cannot see the face of the singer your job will be difficult indeed. You must watch the main singer always. If the singer decides to take another chorus or makes a mistake, you can follow them only if you are watching and aware. Your eyes must be glued to the singer. Often a singer may use a gesture such as a nod of the head to indicate where they are going. Learn their motions and watch out.
Learn to blend your phrasing to the will of the singer. You can start your line just behind the singers line if you want to blend properly. If you are watching the singer as you should, you can start your phrase quietly if you are not sure how loud they will be at any particular time. Be very aware of consonants at the beginning of a line and try to not emphasize them. Two consonants sung slightly after each other will sound disagreeable and is largely avoidable.
The same technique is to be applied to the ending of all melodies as well. As the singer approaches the end of a phrase, gradually decrease your volume so you can avoid the embarrassment of ending after they do. If you follow these singing tips, watch, listen and blend in; you can be a professional backup singer in very short order.
