[Siege of Troy]

My band's lead singer asked me to start doing backup vocals, and harmonizing with him when we play for people. To start off, I'm not exactly the greatest singer wnyone has ever heard, I'm not bad, but I can't front a band unless it's acoustic work and simpler stuff. I've sung backup vocals before, but not to any great degree, and I have no clue how to sing in harmony.

I was wondering if there were any exercises, tips, or tricks you guys know that can make this transition a little easier. Also, being the only guitarist in the band, I have to cover both lead and rhythm parts, so I am very busy while we're playing to begin with...any tips for upping my playing/singing ability....just for reference, we're a rock/blues band, if that helps....

[GoDrex]

I don't really know a proper method for this so if anyone else does, please feel free to post, but here's what I would try if i had to do it and I couldn't figure out what to sing:

I would start with one vocal part you wanted to harmonize with and figure out that vocal line or whatever on guitar or piano or whatever. Figure out what key it's in and then I would figure out the 3rds for that melody, and play it. Then I'd try to sing that vocal with the same notes as the harmony part I just figured out. It might work. Eventually you'd probably be able to do it intuitively and you could skip the part with the guitar.

[builtmyownbass]

Write out the melody (that the singer sings), then write out your melody. Parallel 3rds or 6ths above or below the original melody will work.

[igorski]

Figure out what key it's in and then I would figure out the 3rds for that melody, and play it. Then I'd try to sing that vocal with the same notes as the harmony part I just figured out. It might work. Eventually you'd probably be able to do it intuitively and you could skip the part with the guitar.

Sound advice right there. As a matter of fact, I think I'll study it myself

[imadique]

Figuring it out on an instrument like GoDrex suggested works, listening to artists who use a lot of it might help (e.g. Simon and Garfunkel) and singing along in harmony to cds is also good practise. Don't limit yourself to 3rds, any interval can work in the right context but the more likely/usual ones will be 3rds and 5ths.

[GoDrex]

I suggested 3rds to keep it simple and also because if you're a guy and you're going to try and sing higher than the melody you might not want to go too far

[NorthWind]

listen to the ending of What I've Done by Linkin' Park (or you can get the album too, it has many other songs that have the backup vocals).

[imadique]

I suggested 3rds to keep it simple and also because if you're a guy and you're going to try and sing higher than the melody you might not want to go too far

definitely true unless you wear spandex, but you don't always have to go up with the harmony...

[builtmyownbass]

Figuring it out on an instrument like GoDrex suggested works, listening to artists who use a lot of it might help (e.g. Simon and Garfunkel) and singing along in harmony to cds is also good practise. Don't limit yourself to 3rds, any interval can work in the right context but the more likely/usual ones will be 3rds and 5ths.

I don't think so. When writing vocal harmony, parallel 5ths and ocvtaves should be avoided, but a 5th on its on can be okay.

[GoDrex]

I suggested 3rds to keep it simple and also because if you're a guy and you're going to try and sing higher than the melody you might not want to go too far

definitely true unless you wear spandex, but you don't always have to go up with the harmony...

True but it's probably harder to do, going lower, to get the pitch right. In my limited experience anyway.

[imadique]

Figuring it out on an instrument like GoDrex suggested works, listening to artists who use a lot of it might help (e.g. Simon and Garfunkel) and singing along in harmony to cds is also good practise. Don't limit yourself to 3rds, any interval can work in the right context but the more likely/usual ones will be 3rds and 5ths.

I don't think so. When writing vocal harmony, parallel 5ths and ocvtaves should be avoided, but a 5th on its on can be okay.

I was taught the same thing, doesn't mean it doesn't work for pop songs though so I'll agree to disagree, I (and the people I've played with) use 5ths and octaves without any problem.

[ninjato]

I think BIG & RICH sing a 5th from each other. It gives you that harmonized dissonant sound.

Also from a technical POV, singing a 5th apart is easier than a 3rd apart, especially if you ear sucks.

This post has been edited by ninjato: 12 December 2007 - 10:38 AM

[Siege of Troy]

I found a band that harmonizes pretty well, Tenacious D. I tried some of the suggestions, and I'm able to do both 5ths and 3rds pretty well, still a little hit and miss, but overall, it's actually pretty simple to pick up it seems like. I tend to drift to the pitch the lead singer is using. I'm gonna try and simplify my guitar playing bits when singing, see if that will help me concentrate on singing better. Also, thanks GoDrex, I sat down at the piano (as I can pick out melodies much faster on piano, comes from 13 years of piano as compared to 3 years at guitar) that same day and wrote 3 of our song's vocal melodies down, then played the scales around them...I just have to actually start doing some vocal exercises more often now, as I only sing 2 songs out of the 10+ we know, so I'm gonna be a busy little bee for the next few weeks.....

[fenderguitarfreak]

I guess you could possibly get vocal lessons or just sit down with your singer and practice singing with him. Maybe he can give you tips.

[noodle69]

ok

get you chords lined up

find out what notes are in them

sing the ones the lead vox arent singing

couldnt be simpler

bobs your uncle 'n fanny's your aunt !



or get the singer to do show you what he wants . if they get funny about it , calmly explain that your job is guitar , but your happy to learn if someone else does the work . surely they must already know what they want so it should be easy.

[bag]

try getting used to what the harmonies sound like. Practice 3rds, 4ths, 5ths above the tonic. like.. do it with your guitar... play a C, move up the scale 3 degrees and match your voice to that note and harmonize with the tonic... kinda one excercise I try.

Also... if your singer writes the harmonies, have him record the sections with both parts together for you, if you can pull the harmony from the lead, you can most likely sing it.




I sat in all my singers sessions and heard every part... over. and. over. and. over. and. over. and. over. and. over... again... the harmonies were drilled into my mind and I have no issues now... it also seems I'm better at harmonizing in general now. I can pull harmonies from leads much easier now.

[bag]

or get the singer to do show you what he wants . if they get funny about it , calmly explain that your job is guitar , but your happy to learn if someone else does the work . surely they must already know what they want so it should be easy.

this can be true... but if you have nothing to offer but guitar playing and no will to try to better yourself or the band, you can easily see your self putting a "band wanted" ad in your nearest music shop. if you have no initiative you WILL be replaced. It's not up to your band to carry you. You have weight to carry, too. plus... if you sing, people will see you more. If there's someone talking to you, you'll pay attention more than someone strumming a guitar... just saying, if you like attention, it's the only way lol.