A backing vocalist, also called background singer, adds harmonies, blends their voice, and layers vocal parts to enhance the music and support the lead singer. Most people don’t know that singing background parts in popular music is as at least as challenging as singing lead vocals, because of the specialized skills needed. Singing background vocals is a demanding role that requires practice, dedication to the art form, and extensive vocal training.

While the lead singer is the main focal point of the song for the listener, the backgrounds add sweetness, texture, depth, and interest, especially when harmonies are used. Working in the recording studio or on the concert stage, background singers must expertly blend their voices and sound in a group to support the music and the lead voice.

Backing vocalists also use dancing and movement as a part of their stage performance. Instrumentalists can also sing background vocal parts. Instrumentalists who sing well are often in high demand. Occasionally, background vocals are recorded on backing tracks for live singers for use during a performance.

Backing vocalsists spend their days in the studio, production room, on tour, in rehearsals, or working on their singing, instrumental skills, movement, or dancing skills. Background singers are expected to quickly learn their parts, and then perform them flawlessly. They must master many techniques beyond just singing parts. For example, they need proper microphone technique, ability to move, and to know how to follow a conductor.

They also need to take good care of their voice, since their instrument is physically part of their body and needs to stay healthy to sound good. This means understanding how the voice works and how to overcome vocal health challenges by practicing proper breathing, posture, and other techniques related to producing a consistently pleasing sound without damaging the vocal cords.

Background singers should also be musicians. Understanding the basics of music theory, how music is arranged and produced, and the various performing techniques required of all musicians, such as blending their sound, counting bars and beats, and giving and following cues (signals from the conductor or other musicians), is a must.

They must know how to communicate effectively with the other musicians and the audience, understand how music is put together, and work smoothly in groups with other singers, musicians, and producers to create and perform stunning vocal arrangements.

With so many techniques to learn, aspiring backing singers often choose to attend music school and take private voice lessons. They might also work with a vocal coach. Experience and training are key to anyone seeking a career as a backing vocalist.

Backing vocalists should cover many or most styles of modern music. They may not be as famous as the lead singers, but they are well-regarded among musicians, arrangers, sonwriters, and producers. Even the Grammys recognize backround singers by offering them a special winner’s certificate if they participated in a recording that won a Grammy.

• Top Earners
  Annual Salary: $151,500
  Hourly: $73

• 75th Percentile
  Annual Salary: $125,500
  Hourly: $60

• Average
  Annual Salary: $106,926
  Hourly: $51

• 25th Percentile
  Annual Salary: $84,500
  Hourly: $41

As of 2024, the average hourly pay for a background singer in the United States is $51.41 an hour.

Professional backing vocalists in US currently earn from around $80 to $21 hourly, with the majority of wages between about $40 (25th percentile) to $60 (75th percentile).

The average hourly pay range for a background singer can vary by as much as $20. This means there are likely opportunities to increase earnings according to level of abilty, years of experience, and location.

Pay and opportunities will definitely differ from one city to another. Singers in California tend to earn more than in most other states, as do those close to New York City, perhaps due to higher costs for goods and services overall. Living in a lower cost area might mean the pay is less, but the money earned might also go farther.

It’s difficult to determine the specific salary or earnings one could expect, because backing vocalists typically work independently in the music industry. The music business, like sports, is a winner-take-all business where the people at the very top can earn large sums. A singer’s pay could vary widely from year to year, depending on the work opportunities they can find.

Background singers working with a band may be paid the same as other band members for gigs. Others are paid for their session work on an hourly, daily, or per-song basis, as “work-for-hire” (meaning they are not entitled to any royalties).

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There are plenty of people who make a great living as a background singer. Some sing semi-professionally or part-time while holding down some other kind of position inside or outside of music. Many professional background singers also teach.

Having a great singing voice doesn’t guarantee success as a performer. It’s unusual for anyone to become a professional background singer without sustained hard work and proper music and voice training. Having natural talent helps, but aspiring background singers undertake rigorous and lengthy training in order to rise to the top of the A-list.

Getting into the music business is always tough at the outset. There’s a lot to know and not much fame and money to go around. The competition is huge and success ultimately takes commitment to doing the work to get a foot in the door.

Careers in the arts are hard won. It takes years of hard work and dedication to “make it” and you will need a lot of little breaks to add up to the big breaks in your career. There is a good career for the right kind of person, who can work hard and smart at the same time.

Take a look at those lucky folks who are currently enjoying fruitful careers as background singers. Try to meet them if you can. Find out what they did to get to where they are. Then do what they did.

Some people say you can make your own luck by working hard and smart while keeping a positive attitude and an open mind. Whether or not singing backgrounds is a good career for you will depend on how you meet the opportunities that come your way. There are certainly great opportunities in music for anyone who is prepared and has some luck and good timing.

Most professional background singers start out singing on sessions and gigs as a freelancer. They might sing on demos for songwriters and producers as they develop their career and their network. Early-stage music careerists often work for little or no money, while working in a day job to cover their living expenses.

Experienced singers rely on a network of music professionals to find work opportunities. They might join tours to support their career, and eventually find enough good opportunities to live from. They may not need a day job to support themselves anymore.

People don’t just open their mouths to sing and become successful. It’s important to get the right training. It will save you time and energy to consult with experts on how to improve. Let them guide you along the path to success as a singer.

Here are a few career tips for aspiring backing vocalists:

• To find the right teacher, ask around for recommendations from others and try out some lessons with a few different people. Some teachers offer the first lesson for free.
• Join a band or start your ownto gain valuable experience with the stage and recording studio. Attend some open mics.
• Learn to use recording softwareand hardware, so you can experiment with making your own recordings.
• Find books about music careers and read some biographies of successful singers. You can learn a lot from reading books. Most books can be bought used online, so you don’t need to spend a lot of money.
• Network with music industry people to increase your chances of connecting with the right people who can boost your career.
• Make some recordings and play them for music industry insiders to get their sincere opinions.
• Make a music video.
• Follow articles in the news about the music industry.
• Attend a lot of concerts as this is an excellent way to learn, and is also fun.
• Build a social media following and work on building your personal brand.
• Create an electronic promo kit (EPK) and put it up online.
• Find a producer and others who can be a part of your team, long or short term.
• Attend some industry conferences.

Keep in mind that these things all take time and effort and that you should have a strategic career plan that includes training, publicity and marketing, and constant collaboration with others. The key is to be prepared for everything and anything. Be proactive.

Mid-career professionals will typically have a full schedule. Many singers also teach or coach voice students or professionals. Some might work as vocal arrangers or producers. Some backing vocalists also sing lead vocals or play instruments professionally.

While becoming a backing vocalist may seem like a niche career, it’s also a way to set yourself apart. The best background singers are always in high demand.

Background vocalists need many of the same skills as all other singers and musicians. They should have a pleasing sound and know how to blend their voice with other singers in a group to support the lead vocal.

Besides vocal performance skills, background singers ideally should play an instrument, understand music theory, know how music is arranged and produced, and be able to read music. These skills will give an advantage to any aspiring backing vocalist.

Singers need soft skills for teamwork and collaboration. Nobody likes to work with a jerk. Being easy to work with calls for interpersonal skills, and high emotional intelligence (EQ). It’s possible to uphold musical standards and be fully competent without acting like a diva.

In background vocal auditions, we often look for specific vocal performance skills.

• Intonation: can you sing in tune?
• Diction: do you enunciate the lyrics?
• Voice quality: do you produce a pleasing vocal sound?
• Blending: can you listen to the other singers and adjust your singing for blend?
• Stage Presence: Do you seem comfortable on stage? Are you dressed appropriately? Are your movements and facial expressions right for the song?
• Rhythmic Interpretation: Do you “swing?” Do you groove and does your rhythmic feel fit the musical style?
• Dynamics: Are you using them to advantage? Dynamics is not only loud and soft, it includes articulations and transitory elements such as vibrato, glissandos, or cadenzas.

Background singers also need proper microphone technique. Microphones used in the recording studio are different from those used on stage and require different techniques to get a great sound.

While some people have obvious talent for singing, that won’t take them far if they don’t build other musical skills. Natural talent alone will not lead to a career as a vocalist. For example, sight-singing written musical parts is a specific skill singers need that takes regular practice to do well.

Backing vocalists who are well-established in their careers may not be as famous as the lead singers, but they are well-known and highly regarded among music industry professionals. The veterans have worked on hundreds of sessions, if not thousands, and traveled widely as part of a touring music group.

Almost everyone has some singing ability. To become professional, singers need to study and train for years to develop their sound and musical skills. Gaining the needed skill, knowledge, and ability doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from long hours and years of experience in the studio and on stage.

Some singers get an early start, maybe singing in church, in school, or at home. They have music lessons from a young age, are coached by vocal trainers, and take dance and stage performance classes. They may have sung in their high school choir, chorus, jazz combo, or in a rock band.

Some others may come to singing later in life. When you started isn’t as important as what you are learning. Having a teacher provides the advantage of professional guidance, but isn’t the only way to learn.

There are excellent YouTube videos that teach how to sing properly, and how to warm up your voice. You will find plenty of vocal exercises online, and good tips about how to work with other musicians. There are good books that will teach you how to sing and some are even specialized in background vocals. Read or watch interviews with top singers.

Some college and university music programs offer high quality training for singers. Graduates can earn a diploma, bachelor’s degree, or master’s, and even a doctorate is available at some schools. Singers who want to become teachers study vocal performance, music education, and vocal pedagogy.

It helps to get training from the best teachers and coaches. Another advantage of a college or university music program is that you can find the contacts you need to launch a viable career. Having a music degree provides a stamp of approval. Industry folks will be more likely to take you seriously if they know you have undertaken serious training. Teachers can also make referrals for gigs.

Adult education courses are also fine, and local colleges have extension programs where you can take voice classes and learn music theory and other music skills. You could take some classes at a community music center. There are always options to learn about singing, music, and how the music industry works.

A complete college music education includes music theory, arranging, music production, ensemble, music history, ear training (musicianship), composition, songwriting, music business, and career planning classes. Liberal arts courses help you develop your artistic attributes and be a well-rounded person. Participating in performing ensembles and singing with orchestra or choir teach you how to blend with other musicians and work with a conductor or accompanist.

If college or taking classes is not possible, there are always private teachers. A good teacher should help you to find your direction and to build your singing skills and musical knowledge. Rely on expert advice to know what areas of singing you should work on.

Vocal training focuses on how you use your voice to produce beautiful music. It includes the technical aspects of singing, such as breath support, posture, diction, and vocal health. It’s crucial for singers to learn how to warm up their voice and also how to warm down after singing.

Maintaining a healthy singing voice requires learning all about the voice and how to keep yourself in optimal health. For example, getting enough rest, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and eating a healthy diet are all things that professional singers swear by. It’s similar to being an athlete in this respect.

For singers with vocal health challenges, consult with a voice or speech-language pathologist. The Voice Foundation can help.

With careful preparation, good learning habits, natural talent, expert guidance, hard work, and a little luck, achieving a career as a backing vocalist is possible. It’s worth exploring as you consider your future music career goals.

Whether music and singing are a good career for you is a highly personal question. Background singers, like all artists, need to find their own guiding light of inspiration.

Having the right skills definitely helps. When you are really, really good, it’s hard for people to ignore you.