The 7 Levels Of Vocal Harmony (feat. A Capella Science)

Summary

This video, sponsored by Skillshare, explores various techniques for creating background vocals in music. The host, a singer, discusses seven levels of vocal harmony, from simple doubling to complex counterpoint and complete independence, offering insights for vocalists and songwriters. Guest Tim Blay from Acapella Science demonstrates each level with the melody 'Green Sleeves.' The video also touches on mixing techniques and promotes Skillshare classes for further learning in music production and other creative skills.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The video discusses various approaches to creating background vocals in music, emphasizing the importance of intentionality over natural talent.
• 🎶 The presenter introduces a ranking system for different levels of vocal harmony, based on how much they stand out to the listener and their difficulty.
• 🔄 The script focuses on adding a single harmony line, noting that the same principles apply to larger background sections but with increased complexity.
• 📚 It is mentioned that complex harmony notes and reharmonization are not the focus, instead, the arranging techniques of the vocals are the main interest.
• 👥 Tim Blay from Acapella Science is featured to demonstrate the harmony techniques using the public domain song 'Green Sleeves'.
• 🎵 Level Zero background lines involve singers acting as another instrument, using guide tones for richness without connecting directly to the melody.
• 🗣️ Level One introduces 'doubling', where the melody is sung again at the same pitch or an octave higher/lower for a fuller sound.
• 🤝 Level Two's 'tight harmony' involves writing a new line in harmony with the main melody, maintaining a consistent interval like a third apart.
• 🚸 Level Three's 'oblique harmony' contrasts a moving melody with a stationary harmony line, creating an anchoring effect.
• 📍 Level Four's 'emphatic harmony' spotlights specific words or moments in the song to emphasize the narrative or emotional weight.
• 🎼 Level Five's 'heterophony' presents multiple voices singing the same melody but each with unique embellishments, creating a sense of group improvisation.
• 🔄 Level Six's 'counterpoint' involves writing an entirely new melody that complements the main melody without simply following its contour.
• 🌐 Level Seven's 'complete independence' disregards the original melody, creating a new line with different notes and rhythms that align with the lyrics.
• 🎵 Bonus Level suggests the use of a 'second lead', where a second distinct melody operates independently of the main melody, sometimes combining lower level techniques.
• 🔉 The video concludes with a reminder of the importance of mixing for achieving good sound quality in harmony vocals and a promotion for Skillshare's audio engineering classes.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video presented in the script?

The main focus of the video is to explore different approaches to creating background vocals in music, which are often overlooked but important for enriching the harmony of a song.

Why does the script mention that some people might not consider 'doubling' as harmony vocals?

Doubling is considered a basic level of harmony vocals and some might not view it as 'real' harmony because it involves singing the same melody at the same or different pitch, without adding new harmonious notes.

What is the significance of using guide tones in a background vocal line?

Guide tones, typically the third or seventh of the chord, add richness and character to the sound. They provide more options for smooth voice leading and can create a choir effect when layered.

How does the video script differentiate between 'tight harmony' and other levels of harmony?

Tight harmony involves writing a new line that follows the same contour as the main melody but starts on a different pitch, usually a third above or below, and requires attention to maintain the same key.

What is the purpose of 'emphatic harmony' in a vocal arrangement?

Emphatic harmony is used to highlight specific moments or words in a song that carry significant narrative weight, drawing attention to them and adding a rhythmic layer to the melody.

Can you explain the concept of 'heterophony' as described in the script?

Heterophony is a technique where multiple voices sing the same melody but each voice embellishes it differently, creating a sense of a group of people singing informally with their own variations.

What is the challenge in writing a counterpoint line in vocal harmony?

Writing a counterpoint line is challenging because it requires creating a completely new melody with a different contour that can stand on its own, avoiding parallel movement that might cause the lines to blend and lose independence.

Why is 'complete independence' considered the most complex level of vocal harmony in the script?

Complete independence is the most complex level because it involves creating a new melody and rhythm that are entirely separate from the original, requiring careful attention to phrasing and avoiding vowel blending issues.

What is the 'bonus level' mentioned in the script and how does it differ from the others?

The bonus level is the 'second lead,' where a second melody is introduced that operates independently of the main melody. It's different because it's not about filling gaps or supporting the main melody but about creating a distinct second voice.

How does the script suggest using the different levels of harmony in one's own music writing?

The script suggests experimenting with different levels of harmony to find the best fit for a particular song, whether as a lead vocalist making space for harmonies, a background singer trying different techniques, or a writer exploring additional harmony levels for a richer sound.