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Music vocabulary · Instruments and Voice

Vocals

Meaning in music, with examples

/ˈvoʊkəlz/nounCore term

In music, vocals means: The singing parts of a piece of music, especially in pop, rock and jazz. The main singer sings the lead vocals, and others sing the backing vocals.

In Turkish: vokal, vokaller, şan

How it is used

Common in credits, studios and band talk: 'vocals by...', 'lead vocals', 'backing vocals' (UK) or 'background vocals' (US). Engineers record, comp, tune and mix the vocals. A singer can be credited as 'on vocals'.

Example sentences

  1. We'll record the lead vocals tomorrow and the backing vocals on Thursday.

  2. The vocals are too loud in the mix; they sit on top of the band.

Common collocations

  • lead vocals
  • backing vocals
  • record vocals
  • on vocals
  • vocal booth
  • vocal rangeThe span of notes from the lowest to the highest that a singer can sing well. Voices are grouped by range, from bass and baritone to tenor, alto and soprano.
  • microphoneA device that turns sound into an electrical signal so that it can be amplified or recorded. Dynamic and condenser microphones are the most common types.
  • harmonyThe sound of different notes heard together, and the way chords are built and connected. It also means a second vocal line sung above or below the melody.
  • mixTo balance and combine all the recorded tracks of a song into a final stereo version, adjusting volume, panning, EQ, effects and dynamics.
  • overdubTo record a new part on top of tracks that are already recorded, for example adding a guitar solo or backing vocals after the basic tracks are finished.

More terms: Instruments and Voice

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