Singme.co.uk, which is an amazing backing tracks download site, have asked me to write an article entitled "How to sound like a Pop Star". I have agreed to do so but because of the sensitivity of the many artists I have worked with, I will be calling myself "Jay" in this article.
As a backing singer, I have worked with many famous Artists including: Peter Andre, Gabriella Cilme, Belinda Carlisle, Gloria Gaynor, Paul Young and Madonna.
Whenever I work with an artist, I attempt to blend with them as well as possible and this has required me to study their voice and performance in great detail. I listen to their tone, their phrasing and any special or unusual vocal effect they use. It is these distinctive sounds that set them apart as 'Real Pop Stars'.
Because I have worked with so many different famous artists and studied their distinctive vocal styles, I have become well known in the music industry for my ability to sound like a variety of different singers. I have recorded 'soundalike' tracks covering many styles and genres of music, ranging from Kylie Minogue to Charlotte Church, and Avril Lavigne to Celine Dion. I have also recorded many of the great musical hits, both from the old musicals as well as really up to date songs from High School Musical and Glee etc.
Over the years, I have practiced singing in many different ways but one really effective method, is singing along with really good quality, professional backing tracks. Having tracks without a lead vocal allows you to sing along with all your favourite songs. Ask any famous artist and they will tell you, that you can only sound good if your backing track sounds good. "SingMe Backing Tracks are so good, its like singing with your own band."
Listen to as many backing tracks as you can, in as many different styles as possible. Listen to the musical production of the backing track. Backing tracks using professional session singers to perform the backing vocals are a very useful and important learning tool. On the Singme.co.uk site, they have one other very helpful learning tool. Most tracks have a matching Vocal Guide. This allows you to sing along with the lead vocal, performed by a professional session singer. By singing along with the Vocal Guide, you are able to practice copying the lead vocal to perfect your tuning, phrasing and style.
Many people can sing quite well, nicely in tune with a reasonable tone and sound in their voice but that does not make them special. You need to be 'special' to be a 'pop star'. Listen to what makes each Pop Star sound special and then find your own special sound.
As a potential Pop Star, you should concentrate on a number of things:-
As a backing singer, I have worked with many famous Artists including: Peter Andre, Gabriella Cilme, Belinda Carlisle, Gloria Gaynor, Paul Young and Madonna.
Whenever I work with an artist, I attempt to blend with them as well as possible and this has required me to study their voice and performance in great detail. I listen to their tone, their phrasing and any special or unusual vocal effect they use. It is these distinctive sounds that set them apart as 'Real Pop Stars'.
Because I have worked with so many different famous artists and studied their distinctive vocal styles, I have become well known in the music industry for my ability to sound like a variety of different singers. I have recorded 'soundalike' tracks covering many styles and genres of music, ranging from Kylie Minogue to Charlotte Church, and Avril Lavigne to Celine Dion. I have also recorded many of the great musical hits, both from the old musicals as well as really up to date songs from High School Musical and Glee etc.
Over the years, I have practiced singing in many different ways but one really effective method, is singing along with really good quality, professional backing tracks. Having tracks without a lead vocal allows you to sing along with all your favourite songs. Ask any famous artist and they will tell you, that you can only sound good if your backing track sounds good. "SingMe Backing Tracks are so good, its like singing with your own band."
Listen to as many backing tracks as you can, in as many different styles as possible. Listen to the musical production of the backing track. Backing tracks using professional session singers to perform the backing vocals are a very useful and important learning tool. On the Singme.co.uk site, they have one other very helpful learning tool. Most tracks have a matching Vocal Guide. This allows you to sing along with the lead vocal, performed by a professional session singer. By singing along with the Vocal Guide, you are able to practice copying the lead vocal to perfect your tuning, phrasing and style.
Many people can sing quite well, nicely in tune with a reasonable tone and sound in their voice but that does not make them special. You need to be 'special' to be a 'pop star'. Listen to what makes each Pop Star sound special and then find your own special sound.
As a potential Pop Star, you should concentrate on a number of things:-
- Make sure you are singing really well in tune.
- Make sure your vocal phrasing and timing sits comfortably within the backing track.
- Make sure you choose songs that are in the correct vocal range to suit your voice. (ie not too high or too low in pitch).
- Make sure you sing songs in a style that suits your voice and personality.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different musical styles until you find your own unique style. All the famous Pop Stars I have worked with, grew up listening to and copying other singers, who influenced them, before they found their own style.
You would be surprised if you found out just how many famous singers practice on their own, with really good backing tracks, when they are preparing for a major show or tour. Of course they also practise with their own band but will spend a lot of time on their own, perfecting their songs prior to a live band rehearsal. They also use backing tracks to build up their singing stamina before embarking on a tour. Any international artist will only perform with professional quality vocal backing tracks. They often sing in clubs and small venues to promote new material and albums and so the quality of their backing tracks is absolutely paramount.
I have mentioned the importance of practising with top quality backing tracks. The question is, what makes a good quality professional backing track?
Real instruments can make a huge difference to a track, especially when it is a song from a musical show or in a big band style. Listen to Robbie Williams’ album where he sings standards with a big band. Many backing track sites have tried to replicate these tracks, as well as songs from musicals, by using synthesizers and quite frankly they are awful to sing along with. A lot of pop tracks are created using only synthesizers, and that is fine, but where the original track has live instruments, this can never be properly replicated by using synthesizers.
As you can imagine, it is much easier to blend with live instruments on a quality backing track, than with a synthesizer trying to sound like a real instrument. For this reason it is important to be very fussy when choosing a backing track site. Some sites offer special low price deals etc but at the end of the day, like with most things, you pay a little more for quality products.
One last thing, try and record yourself singing along with a variety of backing tracks in different styles and genres of music. Listen back to the results, be honest with yourself and choose a style of music that really suits your voice. That way you are much more likely to be “discovered” by some music industry professional like Simon Cowell or Neyo, who are always looking for the next ‘pop sensation’. Remember, every single famous artist in the world was once an unknown singer, like you, who believed in themselves and their ability!
Fortunately, with a site as good as singme.co.uk, finding great professional backing tracks is as simple as 1, 2, 3!
Good luck, and until my next article…....just keep singing!
