How to Audition Backup Singers

Some musicians - especially in soul, rock and country music - add extra singers to their groups to support their lead singer, often in a call-and-response fashion. This provides extra interest to your songs and is usually well received by the audience. Here's how to select the right singers for your group.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Music Stands
• Sheet Music
• Amplifiers
• Microphones
• Music Keyboards
• Music

1. Determine the needs of your band based on your musical style(s).

2. Place an ad in the music section of your local or regional newspaper stating dates and times for a backup singer audition. State clearly what musical style your band is playing, how many singers you want to add, and if you are looking for male and/or female singers.

3. Find a place that is appropriate for auditioning; for instance, the room where your combo usually meets for rehearsals.

4. Have your band and your lead singer present at the time of the audition.

5. Interview each applicant separately about his or her background and experience in the style you are looking for.

6. Select one song from your band repertoire and have each singer have a try at it.

7. Have the singers perform separately to test their vocal qualities.

8. After individual auditions, have the singers (usually in groups of two to four) perform together to see how they adapt to ensemble work.

9. Listen to whether they can sing in key.

10. Listen to each singer's ability to harmonize; that is, sing the same tune in different pitches.

11. Listen to the tonal quality of each singer.

12. Find out their talent levels for tuning and intonation.

13. Pay attention to whether his or her vocal range matches that of the other singers.

14. Have the backup singers join your lead singer. It's the only way to find out if their voices will be a good match.

15. Make sure they know basic sight-reading if that's required to join your group.

Tips & Warnings

• Apart from matching voices, matching personalities is an important consideration in hiring band musicians. If the chemistry is right, work will be much easier.
• Make sure you get a commitment from the singers to show up at every rehearsal, and hold them to their commitment.

on 11/22/2005 From my criterian which I believe to be in great depth and understanding of many styles, genre and an extensive background and experience, I've seen many groups, that have talent , will never get out of the gate, many hurtles never resolved due to placing importance on "chemistry". Well rounded true talent are not concerned for themselves but what they bring to those who may interpt and hear there music. it is my opinon that if you can't abondon to allow the music to express itself , stay out of it's way without manipulation, or so thrilled with yourself one should stay home for what do they need to share with others if it is all about you and who you get along with, well that explains all the time, energy , and the full gamit of non sense that goes on with "bands", groups, and the like. I don't know if you've listened to symphony orchestras lately, flawless, music flows that has inchanted many of us for years. Can you image what would happen if the comman place of concern of "chemistry" was even considered in a 80 piece band. Many parts of the industry is stuck literally in psycological pre-teens with bee bop because they never moved to the next level to to which there are many and with great depth. Music is meant to enhance our lives not pose as a trash can to what does or doesn't work in the limited experience of personalities togeather. Thank you. That is before even begining to take a look at the rest of the report. There are thousands of "Sounds" a singer should be well equiped make. The more abanded to allow the sound have, its natural expression, which it can not but do we, mankind would benefit, It would be much further ahead., chemistry indeed, what does animal instincts have to do with the imagination, very offensive conversation for people that work for years to improve the quality to a listener.