Lead Vocals Vs Main Vocals
All three primary roles in a K-pop group—lead, main and sub – vocalists hold their own merit and therefore can not be compared because each artist provides a distinct artistic perspective which generates an extraordinary K-pop music and aesthetic.
The core focus for K-pop groups is to have each position in the group filled with members who are exceptionally talented in their respective fields. These roles are rather generic and can be found in virtually every K-pop group, but to varying degrees depending on the particular group.
The primary subgenres include dancers, rap artists, and singers/vocalists. Many individuals are confused by the numerous subcategories that can be found within each of these primary groups. By the end of this article, you will know everything there is to know about lead vocals vs main vocals positions not just in K-pop group bands but also in any other genre that uses such settings.
Who’s A Lead Vocalist?
A singer or performer who delivers the lead vocals is called a Lead vocalist.
In contemporary popular music, the term “lead vocalist” refers to the singer of a band or ensemble whose vocals are featured most prominently in the song’s melody during a performance in which more than one voice may be heard.
The lead singer is responsible for establishing their voice as the dominating sound within the ensemble, competing with the sections that provide accompaniment.
There is a strong influence from lead vocalists. Lead singers typically sing the main melody, with the other band members providing choruses or harmony vocals, especially in genres like soul and gospel as well as early rock and roll music.
Attributes Of The Lead Vocalists
- When compared to the other members of the band, the lead vocalist has the ability to sing in octaves that are one or more steps higher or lower.
- Because they are capable of reaching these octaves, their voice is featured mostly in the chorus and in the parts of the song that require vibrato.
When it comes to lead vocals in K-pop, the two aforementioned characteristics are virtually a given.
Misconceptions About Lead Vocalists
- Because they have a better voice, they are given more lines. This is entirely wrong. Companies have a lot of “think-tank” sessions to decide who gets to sing what parts, thus this is not accurate. The selection of lyrics is heavily influenced by who’s featured in the songs, the number of lyricists, and a variety of other considerations.
- Having a stronger voice is why they are the lead vocalists. This is not always the case, either. It all comes down to personal preference or the opinion of someone you trust. As a general rule, they may be able to reach those octaves and give vibrato, but this does not imply that their range or their voice is ideal for the lyrics.
- For any group, there is only one designated lead vocalist. As much as it may seem like this by looking at various group profiles, it is not a factually correct statement. The size of the group has a major impact on this. In groups of five or fewer individuals, there is normally only one lead singer, but in groups of nine or more, it is possible that there are two or more lead singers.
Who’s The Main Vocalist?
The male vocalist is the singer who delivers the main vocals in a song. They are the ones that are believed to have the best vocal technique in terms of being able to maintain steadiness while also having a wide vocal range.
In addition to this, in comparison to their peers, they have a greater chance of being given vocal solos. The highest position in singing is reserved for the main vocalist. They have the most lines and sing the majority of the difficult or high notes in the performance.
Attributes Of The Main Vocalist
- While the lead vocalist’s octave range may be superior, the main singer’s total vocal range is superior to the lead singer’s.
- As a result of their relatively greater vocal range, they sing a greater proportion of the song.
- On the chorus and vibrato, their voice serves as a foundation and support for the lead singers.
- They are frequently given many solos in the tunes.
Misconceptions About Main Vocalists
- They do not possess the same level of talent as the lead vocalist. This is the furthest thing from the truth, and the misunderstanding stems from the fact that people are unable to differentiate between having octave range and having vocal range.
- The primary vocalist only provides backing for the lead vocalist. Again, this is not the case; even though they provide support for the lead vocal throughout the song, the primary vocal may have more difficult vocal portions due to the broader range that they possess.
Sub-Vocalists
The role of the sub-singer, also known as the supportive vocalist, is one of the most distinctive aspects of K-pop due to the fact that there is a predetermined standard for this position.
Although there is usually room for main vocalists and lead vocalists to switch things up a little bit in their standards and structure, sub-vocalists often adhere to the rules and structure that are the most general and acceptable.
Sub-vocalists can be divided into two categories.
The first type of vocalist is the true supporting vocalist. These are the individual(s) or group(s) who have respectable vocal ability, are very valuable in moving the song forward, and provide support for the main and lead vocalists.
The second member of the group is not really a vocalist at all; rather, they concentrate mostly on an entirely different component of the band; these members are your group’s dancers and rappers. Although some of the dancers and rappers in the group can sing well and provide support for the primary and lead singers, some in the group choose not to sing at all and instead concentrate on the art form that best suits them.
Misconceptions About Sub-Vocalists
When it comes to sub-vocalists, there are also a significantly less number of misconceptions. Although there’s this single and common misconception:
- The sub-vocalist does not actually contribute anything to the group and there is no reason for them to be there. This statement is really regrettable because it demonstrates a lack of comprehension with regard to k-pop groups. First of all, the K-pop industry is about much more than simply singing; it is about the visuals and the numerous genre influences coming together to create a clean, well-rounded appearance and an exciting performance.
