BACKGROUND VOCALS
SINGING BACKGROUND VOCALS: THE ESSENTIALS | Genessis + Nikki
Nikki and I have had the honor of doing music they add the element of texture and dynamic of genres within Christian music is helpful for
now for most of our lives. The transition to to any song. The skill level required includes different settings. For example, gospel style
doing music professionally is a blessing and singing in different harmonies, a conscious background vocals will require more belting
our career has spanned a little over ten years blend with other vocalists and control. When vocally, specific vibrato style, attention to
now. We are worship leaders, singers and these skills are applied to singing in a church dynamics and possible harmony inversions
songwriters who have had the honor of singing or faith based environment the same applies and changes. Whereas most Contemporary
alongside some amazing talent and anointed with the difference being that it also must point Christian music styles will have subdued
worshippers as well. Although we are always others back to Jesus. In any case, it is never presence of vocals, focus on a blend and
students and constantly seeking to improve, about you. generally no more than two or three vocal
we have learned a thing or two and we want to
share it with you!
harmonies at a time. These small but significant
When we were young, our first classroom when things mean the difference between a singer
it came to learning how to sing was church. Our who falls in perfectly or completely sticks out
Before we jump into the technical aspects of vocal director would constantly emphasize the and distracts from the main singer or moment.
being a background vocalist, we must make importance of blending when it came to singing note of the difference between anointing with others, “If you can hear yourself above One of the last things (but certainly not the least
and ability. In a faith-based environment just others then you’re doing it wrong”. Like most important) is the ability to sing harmonies and
because you are anointed does not mean things, mastering this awareness comes with parts successfully in order to be a background
you should not arrive prepared. A faith-based time and plenty of practice. Another practical vocalist. We will dive in a little later on more
environment requires us to step up and still thing we learned early on to better ourselves of this, but for now this skill is something that
present what we do in excellence… lives are while we rehearsed was to watch the other can also be developed with time and practice.
being changed and affected. That being said, singers we would be singing with. This helps Finding a resource, teacher or mentor is very
we also have the task of balancing ability and build a chemistry between singers while they helpful because this skill is greatly improved by
preparation with the gift to be led by God are growing, watching for things like matching doing versus just hearing or reading about it. If
completely. That is where anointing fills the gap. mouth shape and approach are just a few of you are a beginner, challenge yourself to join a
No matter how much you sharpen your ability the things you begin to anticipate and improve. choir, sit in on rehearsals at your church or join
there are some aspects as a vocalist that will
a group with singers who are more advanced
only thrive when anointing from the Holy spirit A deceivingly easy thing to miss as a vocalist is and seasoned so that you can learn and grow.
is present. Regardless—we hope these tips will developing the discipline of practice. It is what Some of the greatest moments I had were with
help you prepare, but also allow you to take the separates good singers from great singers. those who patiently taught me and mentored
pressure of yourself and enjoy what you do. When it comes to rehearsing intentionally, most me as I developed my voice. I had to take the
singers don’t realize that singing is the truest leap and push myself. You can do this!
We wanted to start with the basics of singing mirror of any insecurity. If you are not thoroughly background vocals in most settings. There rehearsed it will show. Period. It can mask even We hope this provided a great start to answering
may be a few special circumstances where the most talented vocalist with doubt when they some of your questions. We will be expanding
you may need additional skills, but for the are not confident in what they are singing. Most on a variety of other aspects of background
most part we’re going to cover a few things groups or background vocalists will experience singing, and we look forward to helping you
you should know if you want to grow as a great grow not only technically but also spiritually as
background singer. focused practice. Most think that singing the solo or lead line is the Another aspect and maybe slightly more hardest thing when it comes to being a vocalist, advanced component is the awareness of but most seasoned singers will tell you that genre. A background vocalist begins to learn the real task is to master singing background that not every genre is approached the same vocals and harmonies well. If done correctly way. Becoming well versed in several types
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improvement
January 2020
with
intentional
and
you live out God’s calling on your life.
Genessis + Nikki
Influenced by praise music, pop classics and
renowned American Christian gospel artists,
Genessis and Nikki strive to have authenticity in
these genres as well as representing the unique
Genessis and Nikki style.
genessisandnikki.com
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