SESSION SINGING WORK

You are no doubt reading this because you have the desire to make a living singing, and not just any living, but a good living. After all, who wants to be just barely making it? Not you. You want to be able to tell your friends "Hey, that's me" on that film, TV show or commercial. If this is you, then read on.

What exactly is session singing work?

In a general overall view, session singing is work that a singer goes into a recording studio as opposed to live performance. A session singer is called to perform in a way that realizes a composer's vision. There may or may not be music notated. The singer may be recording at the same time as instrumentalist, or may be recording to previously laid down tracks, which could be anything from basic piano to full orchestra. There may not even be any accompaniment. At times like these the singers 'chops' (abilities) have to be even more tightly honed since the only thing that is heard is the voice.

Types of vocal combination's

Most session work is done under union contracts through Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) or the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and singers are paid a scale according to the size of singing group. Usually a singer knows before they enter the studio if they are singing alone or in combination with other singers. However, in the studio things can change, and one must be able to quickly adapt to whatever scenario is presented. Here are the basic delineations for vocal uses.

Solo

This is self-explanatory. You would be called because your sound, style and training have made you optimal for what the composer wants to hear. Some session singers only perform solo, but most soloists learn to also perform as a group singer. They make themselves more versatile and learn to blend with the voices surrounding them.

Duo

A duo can be made up of two people who regularly sing together, or can be a combination of similar or dissimilar voices. It all depends on what the composer wants. The voices are chosen for their ability to blend, or maybe for their complimentary yet non-blending style. For example male and female; or one voice gruff and the other sweet. The main thing to recognize is that as a duo the two people are called upon to create in duet form, a specific 'personality' for the song or cue. Most of the time duos are recorded together but again, one must be prepared for anything in the studio. Although a duet, there may be times when one voice would be recorded separately, and then the second voice would work with that performance at a different time in the same session.

Group (3-8) and Group (9+)

The next level recognized by the union code of both AFTRA and SAG is group singing- any group of singers from 3 to as many as 80. The two group designations are 3 to 8, and 9 plus. Trios, quartets, and quintets fall into the 3 to 8 category, but most often after DUO the groups become ensemble singers of 9 or more. This is usually choral, and can cover styles from gospel, to chant, or classical, to jazz choir or any ethnic style imaginable.

The time frame for a session

Sessions can go on for hours and can be recorded over multiple days, however there is always a minimum time frame for which a singer is paid. With AFTRA it is a minimum of 2 hours pay and with SAG the minimum is 4 under the TV and Film codes. Non-union work has no set minimum and the singer(s) must negotiate this.

This is an overview of session work for singers. More information can be found on the web sites listed below.

About the Author:

John West has been a prominent session singer in Hollywood for over 15 years. Movies under his belt include Hairspray, The Simpsons and the Spiderman films. TV performances include the Academy Awards, Dancing With the Stars and The Shield. His co writer, Elin Carlson has an equally impressive resume. Some of her films include Wolverine, Star Trek and the X-Men films. Her television credits include 10 Items or Less, Glee and the newly remastered Star Trek series where she sings the opening theme so well known by so many. Together they have co-authored the definitive guidebook on how to really make it as a singer in the entertainment industry, Session Singing in Hollywood. More information about the book including how to purchase it is on their website: http://sessionsinginghollywood.com Even more tips and tidbits on the profession are in their weekly blog: http://sessionsinginghollywood.wordpress.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Becoming Successful at Session Singing for FIlm, Tv, Recordings, Commercials & Interactive Games

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