Techniques in choral music

There are many different techniques in choral music, each providing a unique way to support the lead melody vocal line. There are a variety of different effects that vocal ensembles, choral groups and choirs can create.

Some vocal lines are there to provide harmony and texture to the piece, and come in to reinforce the chords or double up the main vocal part. In choral SATB music, the alto and bass parts often perform this function to establish and strengthen the chordal harmonies supporting the lead melody, rather than being interesting, melodic lines of music in their own right. In pop music, this kind of backing vocal harmony appears frequently at key points that need emphasis, in short intermittent bursts on certain words or phrases such as parts of the chorus. An excellent tutorial that explaining the principles and conventions of understanding vocal harmony and how to implement them can be found at: How to Sing in Harmony | Online Vocal Coaching

Counterpoint is a musical term that describes a second melodic line in its own right that is added in contrast to the first melody. A counterpoint melody can be quite different and independent in its rhythm compared to the other melody but they will sound good when played together. Counterpoint vocal lines are used a lot in musical show tunes, opera and classical vocal music genres but are less frequent in popular music.

Call and response is a well-loved technique that is used in all kinds of vocal music across the spectrum. Antiphony or antiphonic texture is used to create a musical conversation, whereby singers alternate back and forth; an initial phrase of music is performed by the lead as the ‘call’ and is then ‘answered’ by another performer or group with a different musical phrase that is normally repeated. In vocal music, this serves the purpose of both telling the story, and emphasising the interaction between subjects outside the lead vocalists’ character or narrative.

Call and Response in Gospel Music on Youtube

Whatever the genre of music, PlayScore 2 can help you learn and practice your vocal technique easily and independently. The app can be used as an interactive accompaniment device, letting you hear your pieces and edit the playback functions so you can sing along. You can change the instrument sounds and volume settings, slow the tempo and loop sections easily. PlayScore 2 can improve your practice routine and transform your sheet music into a customised accompaniment track in a matter of minutes.