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, but in the studio, things can change, and one must be able to quickly adapt to whatever scenario is presented. However, here are the basic delineations for group sizes.
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.
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Really wonderful webstie John. You two have done some great work with this. Are you getting this into the colleges?
Nice to see how organized and focused you both are on getting this book recognized.
Juliann
Thanks Juliann. Your friendship and support is so appreciated.
Great to hear that you guys are doing this! Invaluable information for those who are trying to break in to the biz.
Looking forward to much more to come.
Best!
Thanks Dick. As a singer I know you get this stuff. Check back regularly for more tidbits and let all your singing friends know what we are doing.
Thank you for all the valuable tips! I will be checking back regularly for more!
Thanks C. Looking forward to everything you receive from the knowledge the book offers.
Dear Elin and John,
Congratulations to both of you on the successful marketing of your book through Google! It makes me very happy for both of you to see you branching out this way—having known John since college, I know how hard he has worked to get where he is today, and so I have an idea of how much effort you have put into your career, Elin.
Continued success to both of you!
Jeff
Hey Jeff-
Your insight is right on the money. And we have to keep working to get to the next level. It just never stops and we never get it all done. I so much appreciate your friendship over all these years.
JW
Very nice! Judy
Hi Judy,
I know how bust you are so really appreciate the time you took to check in.
Hope all is well in Oregon!
John
Nice web site.
Thanks Manuel.
Just trying to be as successful as you!
John
Hey Elin and John,
Thanks for the helpful tips! The “inside scoop” you dish in your blog is invaluable, especially for those of us who are relatively new to the business in Hollywood. I’m excited to read the whole book to learn more about the innerworkings of the biz.
And I look forward to meeting you both in person soon.
Kathi
Thanks Kathi. We are here to help! Enjoy the book