background vocals
Supporting vocal parts
Background vocals are the singing parts that support a lead vocalist, providing harmony, echo, or rhythmic reinforcement rather than carrying the main melody.
They might repeat key phrases, add texture with wordless sounds, or sing countermelodies.
Background vocalists often go uncredited despite being essential to a song's sound: She started as background vocals for touring bands before launching her solo career.
- backup singerSupporting vocal performer
- harmoniesPleasing combined pitches
- chorusSingers performing together
- call and responseAlternating vocal pattern
- singersThose who vocalize melodies
oohs · ahhs · doo-wop · doo-wop group · gospel choir · layered · studio · multitrack · multitrack recording · overdub · blend · supporting · choir · accompaniment · recording studio · echo · reverb · stacked
- accompanimentbacking band, backing track, accompanist, piano accompaniment, guitar accompaniment
- Doo-WopThe Drifters, The Coasters, Dion, Earth Angel, close harmony
- vocal partssoprano, alto, tenor, bass, mezzo-soprano
- vocal quartetsbarbershop quartet, a cappella quartet, gospel quartet, doo-wop group, four-part harmony
background vocalslead vocals
Primary sung melody
lead singer · lead voice · frontman · diva · frontwoman
background, vocals, back, ground, vocal, backgrounds, grounded, grounding, grounds