Vocal (song)

A vocal in a song, most commonly, refers to the part of a musical piece that is sung. The vocal track typically carries the melody and lyrics, conveying the song's narrative, emotions, or message. The term can refer to a single lead vocal or to multiple vocal parts, including harmonies, backing vocals, and vocal arrangements.

The creation and recording of vocals are central to the production of many genres of music, especially popular music. Vocal performance, vocal production, and vocal mixing are important aspects of the overall quality of a song. Vocal production can involve techniques such as pitch correction, equalization, compression, and effects processing to enhance the sound of the vocal.

Different types of vocal deliveries exist, ranging from spoken word or rap to traditional singing techniques such as belting or operatic performance. The style of vocal delivery greatly influences the overall genre and aesthetic of the song. Vocals can be performed by a solo artist, a duet, a group, or a choir.

Instruments can sometimes be used to emulate vocal sounds, but in general, a "vocal" denotes a performance produced by the human voice. The term is often used to differentiate the sung parts of a song from the instrumental parts.