Background Singer

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Singer, Studio Singer, Vocalist, Background Vocalist, Chorus Member, Jingle Singer

Sings solo or with other singers/musicians in a recording studio or live performance.

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As their name suggests, Background Singers provide backup other singers or musicians on recordings, in commercial jingles, or in live performances. People employed as Background Singers either perform work full-time, or they may freelance. If working as a freelance vocalist, one must go about their business in a slightly different way. Meaning, they must build up a strong reputation as a great worker and a great singer, while remaining flexible and available when needed.

The difficult thing for most Background Singers is to be able to walk into a recording studio, look over a song, learn it flawlessly and then perform it perfectly – with little rehearsal time. In addition, the vocalist must be able to harmonize with a group of singers whom he or she has never worked with before! The background vocalist must also be versatile in their talents because they may have one job performing pop music in the morning, and then later in the day, he or she might be singing a jingle for a cat food commercial.

Those who work as background vocalists will most likely have to work irregular hours on certain days, but not so much on others. These individuals find jobs through Contractors or Producers who work in the recording field.

Salaries
Factors including the type of work, the duration of work, geographical location and reputation of the singer all play into how much the background vocalist will earn. Of course, if Singers work overtime, or take on more songs, they will be able to earn more. As a baseline, successful Background Singers might earn up to $100,000 or more per year.

Employment
Because there are so many opportunities available for an aspiring Background Singers, employment prospects are fair. However, prospects become much more difficult as individuals begin to look for work with well-known artists or in recordings and jingles. Going through the audition process is necessary for Background Vocalists to land a gig. This audition is either made directly to the band looking to hire, or to agents who will go out on your behalf to find work.

Advancement
Depending on an individual's goals and aspirations, advancement prospects vary. For instance, those looking to become major recording artists will have a difficult time advancing their career because competition is steep. However, if one is at a point where they have just gotten their foot in the door singing jingles, per se, and they perform well, they will probably asked to work on other projects as well.

Education and Training
Background Singers are not required to have a formal education. However, some may feel obtaining a college degree is important to use as a fall back plan just in case their music career does not work out as planned. While some Singers have graduated from college, many Singers have graduated from conservatories. Others utilize vocal coaches and private teachers, while some have the natural ability to just sing.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
It should go without saying, but a Background Singers needs a good singing voice, and should be able to perform in front of others without a problem. Also, the ability to harmonize and sing many different types of music is helpful. One must remain professional, as would be expected in most every other professional position.

Unions and Associations
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is a union available to those doing a recording session or radio jingle. The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) or the Actors Equity Association – which is commonly referred to as Equity (AEA) – are unions available to those performing in theatre. If a Background Singer is working on a TV commercial, he or she might belong to either the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) or AFTRA.

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