The Art Of Backing Vocals - My Journey As A Backing Vocalist

Jessie Lane, vocalist and songwriter, offers these artful ideas to the backing vocalist.

I've been a backing vocalist in worship teams and other scenarios for ten years now.

That's such a long time it's scary. I have been a wannabe singer for as long as I can remember - prancing through my world with my hairbrush, spoon, or toothbrush, singing mostly out of tune to whatever was playing on the radio.

As children, my sister and I would lie in bed making up songs - trying to convince the other that it was a genuine song we'd heard on the radio - and my sister would freak out because she'd be singing away and I would interrupt her by singing another song - louder. These days it's my husband Darren who gets frustrated with me because I start singing in the middle of his sentences - that's pretty rude isn't it? I've been working on that.

Anyway, the truth is that God designed me with this passion - when I sing, I feel God's pleasure. It turns out that God did have a plan to use my warbling larynx, and all these years later I look back and love God all the more for the opportunities He has given me.

For some time it was hard for me to believe that God was not just humoring my love of singing. The realization that He had planted this desire in me for a reason brought me a lot of joy and freedom, and of course made me want to sing all the more.

I am very grateful for this gift from God. Since I realized He gave me the gift for a reason, I've been aware of God investing in me and teaching me about worship, and also stripping me of some of the twisted stuff that gets in the way. I still sing backing vocals, and on occasion have led worship, too.



Tending The Gift

I think a key to being a good backing singer, is to understand that your voice is an instrument and a gift. You have the opportunity and potential to be a gift, and bring a gift.

First and foremost, your worship is an offering to the Lord. As a member of a worship team, I have to constantly ensure that this is my central motivation, because God deserves nothing less. It's so easy to shift one way or another. But when our hearts are in the right place, there is less pressure and so much more joy. God is glorified.

As a backing singer you are a vital support to the worship leader.

You are also an example for the congregation to follow.



Some Hard And Fast Lessons

If I were to pass on any of the lessons that I have had to learn, either through my own mistakes or through the grace of learning from other's mistakes (!) it would be the following:



Listen a lot!

Listen to the band and everything that's going on. Listen for and be open to anything that God might be saying or doing.



Lay down your own agenda and defer.

Be sensitive to the worship leader - follow his or her lead Ð and go with the flow of what God is doing. Make sure that you don't "over take" or battle with the worship leader either musically or thematically. This is crucial if you are doing spontaneous stuff. Also, be sensitive to the other members of your team and what they are doing. It's easy to clash. Remember there is a time for singing out and there is a time for being quiet.



Ask lots of questions.

Find out what the leader would like in terms of improvisation, "ad-libbing", and prophetic contributions - what does s/he want and need from you? Protect your relationships within the worship team. Be an encourager. Don't underestimate the power of unity and relationships that honor God. If you are singing with other vocalists, take the time to pray together. This has made a serious difference for me at times.



Remember that your voice is an instrument.

Don't play down your role. Take the time to work out harmonies and parts. Good vocals are crucial. It's what people are listening to, and what they follow.



Be creative with your harmonies.

Try not to get stuck in a rut. However, do be aware that "more creative" doesn't always equal "better". Remember to think of the overall sound, not just your individual voice - you are not singing solo - you are a team player. Being sensitive to this will set you apart as a backing singer.



Know that backing vocals is a different skill than lead vocals.

Just because you can do one, doesnt mean you can automatically do the other (but knowing how to do one well can help you learn to do the other well). Recognize the difference. It may sound basic, but many people think that just because they have a great voice - perfect pitch, passion, tone - that they will be a great backing singer. Not so. Bad BVs can be distracting, out of place, over crowding and just plain attention seeking.



Backing vocals in a worship team is different to backing vocals in a "normal" band.

You are not a token girl (or guy). You are not performing. You are an example. So be a good example of worship, on and off the platform. Demonstrate worship - engage. When the leader says lets dance, or lets sing out a song to the Lord, it's your job to do that! Bite the bullet. Depending on your mood, this is sometimes tough, because you want to remain "real" up there but your priority is to serve, and lead by example.



Protect your instrument

Look after your voice. But be sensible, don't become a psycho-Ricola sucking, dairy-hating, "must always have a room-humidifier" fanatic who has lost all sense of perspective. It's always good to be balanced! But do get to know your voice, understand what helps you and what doesn't - and if it hurts - STOP.



Final Word

Don't get so lost in worship that you miss what is going on around you (cues, etc.), but at the same time don't get so hung up on the music that you miss what you're actually trying to do - worship. Be real up there, but professional, and I have to say itƒdress modestly.

Remember, everyone is not watching you as much as you think. Try opening your eyes occasionally and you'll see that everyone is NOT looking at you!

Don't take yourself too seriously; enjoy yourself, enjoy God, feel His pleasure over His people, watch what He is doing with the people - it's like Heaven on Earth.



Bio:

Jessie Clarke was born and raised in England, but moved to the central coast of California when she was 19. Jessie started singing at the age of 16 in her home church, the St. Albans Vineyard, and went on to sing with Matt Redman & Graham Ord in her late teens. Since then she has sung on several VM (USA) recordings with Darren Clarke and Ryan Delmore among others. The Clarkes have written various worship songs including "I love Your Presence" and have recently opened a Rock Guitar School in San Luis Obispo. Jessie also works full time at MERCY Church, where she still sings BV's.

From Inside Worship

Beginners Guide to Song Selection

Canadian pastor and worship leader Larry Levy offers tips on song selection.

I walked into my first Vineyard event 11 years ago and was "hit" -- big time. It was the worship. I started weeping and heard the words "welcome home," an experience that many of us have had with varying details. It was the best week and worst week of my life. God turned me inside out and I experienced the nearness of God like never before. We came back home and we started doing the songs, learning as we went the difference between "singing" and "worshiping." Although I've watched, listened and read about worship, like anything else there has been no greater teacher than “doing it.” I've led worship in gyms, on beaches, in parks, on the streets, in jails, in airports, in bars, in living rooms, on waterfronts and in cathedrals. I take seriously (and I do get serious at times) the responsibility to be good stewards of this wonderful gift of worship God has given us, and to raise up godly and effective worship leaders.

One of the most basic questions we ask as worship leaders is "What songs should I do?" Whether you are preparing for leading worship at a home group of nine people for the first time or leading 500 people in a conference setting, or at your Sunday morning service for the tenth week in a row, the question doesn't go away. There are many things that are involved in the worship event and worship leading, but song selection is a really important one. I believe song selection is to the worship event what Scripture is to preaching and teaching. It's not everything, but it is the main “substance” from which we build other elements.

Ask anybody who has been doing worship for a while why they have chosen certain songs for a particular worship event and they'll often say, "I just felt like doing these songs." Worship leading is often like driving a car. When you first start, everything seems mechanical: Adjust your mirrors...turn the key…put your foot on the brake as you put it in drive...try not to run over your mother...keep your hands at 10 and 2 o'clock...use your signal lights… After a few years of driving you do these things without thinking about them. In the same way, experienced worship leaders are processing many different things quickly as they are preparing for worship and actually leading worship.

Their song selection involves processing different elements of the worship event quicker than when we are just starting to lead worship. Hopefully this article will help many of you who are beginning to lead worship as well as encourage those of you who have been leading for a while to think on the song selection process.

Here are some questions to ask of yourself:


What Is The Nature Of The Worship Event?
Is it a small group who is going to worship for the first time? A group of worship "animals" where you have to beg them to stop? An evangelistic event outdoors? A conference celebration time? A regular Sunday morning with the theme of repentance? Is it for children, youth, adult or mixed?

The event will be one factor in your song selection. When we did community barbecue and worship parties on our land one summer we used some familiar secular songs that went over really well and gave the people, many who were unchurched, something to identify with. One was a Great Big Sea song entitled "Ordinary Day.” The chorus goes:

"Way, hey, hey, it's just an ordinary day
And it's all your state of mind
At the end of the day, you've just got to say
It's all right."

The song went over big, and it may have been our most anointed song. It fit the context well. Some songs are better suited for small groups, and some for larger groups (I bet you've all found that out, at times painfully). You never knew that song was so high until you did it with a group of seven, five who could not sing, and the other two who just left to go to the washroom. When I led worship in jail, the guys loved the hymns, which gave them a connection to their childhood and a longing for the God they had once encountered.


What Is God Doing In The Group?
Congregations go through different seasons, and it's wonderful when the worship experience reflects that. What is the pastor speaking on? What's been happening in the lives of the people? What is the emphasis in your church right now? Right now in our church we are emphasizing fellowship and friendship with one another, and how transparency before God and one another is key to that being rich. In the midst of having communion last Sunday the worship leader did a song he had written about coming and dining at the Lord's table and not letting our 'stuff' keep us away. It was powerful!


What Songs Have Really Touched Me?
Let's face it, it's hard to do songs that don't move you, excite you, inspire you or break you. You've heard a song and you know "I've got to do that song." It doesn't have to have the same effect on you every time you do it, but somewhere along the road it has grabbed your heart.

I'm not leading worship as often as I once did, but giving myself to helping and mentoring other worship leaders. Because of that, I get lots of opportunity to just worship and observe people worshiping in many different contexts. I encourage all regular worship leaders to do this. You learn and observe some things along the way. Along with asking yourself these questions, let me offer some suggestions in choosing songs:


Some Quick Tips For Song Selection:

1. Choose some songs that declare the great themes of the Christian faith: The Glory, Love and Holiness of God. The Cross of Jesus. The Free Grace of God. The Kingdom of God Among Us. Intimacy in worship grows as we truly understand what kind of God we are expressing our love to.

2. Select primarily songs that are familiar to the people. If for example, you are doing six songs, you may have three that are really well known, two that are fairly well known and one that is new. There have never been so many worship songs around! There's a thick collection of old and new Vineyard songs. The British invasion of new worship songs continues. There are songs that come from writers in our congregations. I believe there's a rich reservoir of hymns that can be adapted to our style, that provide a needed connection to the historic church. Sadly, we won't be able to do them all! Remember when you do a new song, do it for a few weeks so the people get familiar with it.

3. Have some songs that are simple in lyrics and melody. Everything is constantly evolving, often moving from the simple to the complex, and then back to the simple. It's true in all music, and it's true in worship writing. People really need some simple songs where they don't have to be straining to read the next line from the overhead or lyric sheet, and their left brain can take a break. They are overloaded with information all week, and oh, the sweetness of a simple truth in simple words with a simple melody line.

4. Arrange your songs to “flow” together. Too many themes become confusing. Ascending key changes can help (i.e. C to D to G). Try going from one song to another at times without a musical break. Don't be afraid either of having a time of quiet and reflection before going on to the next song.

5. Choose a song that allows you do some spontaneous worship at the end. Some songs lend themselves to singing in tongues, having one of the singers singing over the congregation, leading the people in singing a short prophetic song back to the Father, etc. This becomes too “old hat” when you do it after every song, but at the right time it reinforces what we are doing. The goal is not to get through the songs. The goal is to lead the people in worship so that the Bride (the Church) and Groom (Jesus) kiss and embrace one another.

As you can see I've said nothing about tempo, rhythm, size and talent of worship band, and a host of other factors. Hopefully my suggestions will help you do what I think is the greatest event in the world: the intimate and passionate worship of the Father.

From http://www.insideworship.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2264&Itemid=2

Inner Living, Outer Giving

Canadian author, pastor, and theologian Peter Fitch shares his perspective on how spiritual discipleship

What areas of spiritual discipline would you say are vital for modern worship leaders to integrate into their lifestyle? Why?

Rather than speaking of spiritual disciplines like fasting or contemplation, I'm drawn to using some familiar terms in an unfamiliar way. I think that the following disciplines are essential for worship leaders: foot-washing, offering loaves and fishes, water-walking, cross-carrying and, on occasion, dead-raising.


Foot-washing - because worship is the service of washing dirt from people's souls, and it must be done from a posture of humility if it is to be invested with power. The quality of the water in the basin will have something to do with the quality of the leader’s secret inner life with God.

Offering loaves and fishes - because after all of our preparation (which should be done well - this work is for the Lord), we are ultimately in a position of inadequacy no matter how gifted we are. Human musicianship, though often impressive and wonderful, does not have the capacity to touch the soul and set it spiritually free. Jesus does. We offer the loaves and fishes of our songs and ideas; He adds His Presence in a mysterious and miraculous way.

To speak of water-walking is to make an admission of the danger of this enterprise. Worship leaders are called to get out of the boat, out past the known and comfortable place of their familiar lyrics and chord patterns. There is a divine dance in worship. The Spirit beckons, the musician plays. Often the Spirit will invite the player to follow to some new vista, to be so enveloped in Life that he or she will hardly notice that the dancing is now in thin air. Worship leading is holding on to the invisible hand for just the right amount of time - not too little (or the dance is incomplete) and not too long (or - and this is a sad joke - we get to experience the sound of one hand clapping). I mean that it's possible for us to try too hard and worship past the place where the Spirit is leading.

Cross-carrying is an essential discipline because there will be more need for soul-cleansing in the people around you than there will be for you to artistically express yourself. To take on this ministry is to give yourself to others, to be available when you don't feel like it, to sing songs long after they're meaningful to you on a human level. It only seems glamorous in the beginning.

But this leads to the last of my list. If you are faithful in foot-washing, loaves and fishes, water-walking and cross-carrying, from time to time you get to play a role in raising someone from the dead. Humans do not have words to express the glory of this experience, of watching people that are lost and hopeless suddenly receiving the Life of God in a tangible way, shattering bondages and bringing them into newness and freedom and joy. Worship leaders get to do this more than most.

From http://www.insideworship.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2253&Itemid=30

How to play Everlasting God

Ever wondered how to play the fiddly bit during the verse of Everlasting God, here's how. Follow the link to Worship Together's New Song Cafe for a song story and some tasty tips!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LwIX2OfEYE

How to play Everlasting God

Ever wondered how to play the fiddly bit during the verse of Everlasting God, here's how. Follow the link to Worship Together's New Song Cafe for a song story and some tasty tips!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LwIX2OfEYE