Backing Vocals in Worship by Jessie Clake
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, and went on to sing with Matt Redman & Graham Ord in her late teens.
I’ve been a backing vocalist in worship teams and other scenarios for 9 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 around 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 fool 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 boyfriend who gets frustrated with me because I start singing in the middle of his sentences – that’s pretty rude isn’t it? I’m 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 humouring my love for singing. The realization that He had planted this desire in me for a reason, brought me so much joy and freedom, and of course made me want to sing all the more.
Grateful for this gift from God, I’ve been on a path with 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 I am leading worship a bit too. I think a key to being a good backing singer, is to understand that your voice is an instrument, and your voice is 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. 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 your role is also a vital support to the worship leader.
* Also important, you are an example for the congregation to follow.
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 (!) I would suggest 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/doing.
Lay down your own agenda and defer
Be sensitive towards the worship leader - follow their lead – and go with them in the flow of what God is doing. Make sure however, that you don’t ‘over take’ them or battle with them 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 shutting up.
Ask lots of questions
Find out where you stand with the leader in terms of improvisation, ‘ad-libbing’, and prophetic contributions - what do they 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 are following.
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 to lead vocals
Just because you can do one, doesn’t mean you can automatically do the other (knowing how to do one well can help you learn to do the other well). Recognize the difference. It may sound basic, but many backing singers think that just because they have a great voice - perfect pitch, passion, tone - that they will be a great backing singer. Not so. Bad BV’s 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 this! Bite the bullet.
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 good to get a balance! 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 it…dress modestly.
Remember, they are not all watching you as much as you think. Try opening your eyes occasionally and you’ll see that they’re NOT all 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.
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