Is there any difference with the lead and the main?
"If it’s possible, I want it to be the girl to reach the high notes and be the main vocals," Vance explained.
Rayen imagined the song in his head and the high parts of the song. One of them was the chorus he just sang, and there was also the pre-chorus parts. However, he still didn’t understand what Vance meant when he said that Rayen should take the lead vocal parts instead.
What was the difference with the lead and the main vocals? The terms seemed pretty interchangeable with each other. And from the first round, no one fussed about who’s who or what and didn’t discuss things .
As if Vance understood his confusion, he continued explaining his stance. "Instead of singing the whole chorus, I want you to lead the main vocalist and the others."
’Lead the others? If that’s the case...’
"Yes, you sing before everyone sings or raps. Guide them," Vance said.
He also pointed out the parts he wanted Rayen to try out. It was quite a lot.
Observing the song, the lines that Vance were pointing at still weren’t considered raps, however its speed was already bordering the term.
But didn’t he want to challenge himself? So why not?
"Then try singing at least this one," Vance said, pointing on one verse.
Rayen looked at it and recalled its melody. He hadn’t tried practicing this part, so he felt quite nervous. Even the lyrics sheet became soaked with the sweat from his palms.
After a few moments of preparation, Rayen inhaled deeply before opening his mouth.
The people inside the room listened to him with intense focus as his mouth moved. Even though the pace of the song was a bit fast, Rayen was able maintain his voice inline with the melody.
For the first time, Vance let out a smile.
Rayen stopped the moment he reached the last line of the verse. If he continued, it would be the pre-chorus already.
"Take that part. You’ll be the Lead Vocals," Vance said.
With that, Rayen nodded.
"But only if this Miss could do what I want her to do," Vance added, turning his head to the only girl member in the team.
Nana straightened her back after Vance’s gaze landed on her. She immediately lifted the lyrics sheet in her hand to shield her face from his prying gaze.
"I... I’ll also try," she said.
As she read the lyrics of the chorus with her eyes, beads of sweat formed on her forehead. After determining that she was ready, she opened her mouth to sing. But she was too nervous, her voice trembling and cracking whenever she reached for the high note.
Vance didn’t say anything, so Nana could only continue. By the end of the chorus, she couldn’t lift her head in shame. This wasn’t her best performance at all.
She cursed at herself inwardly.
"You can’t do it?" Vance asked and looked at the lyrics sheet with a frown. "Then what can you do?"
Nana couldn’t answer.
"I’m asking you. If you can’t do it, what else can you do?"
Vance’s every words seemed to hit her sore spot.
"Ya!" Pia suddenly yelled. "Can you ask nicely? You’re scaring the girl!"
Startled, Vance turned his gaze away from the lyrics sheet to look at the other trainer that came with him.
"But I’m not trying to scare her. I’m just asking," Vance defended himself.
"Then, can you ask nicely?! Look at her!"
With a scowl, Vance looked at Nana. He didn’t notice that Nana had already turned pale from fright as he was looking down at the lyrics sheet to find something else for her to try.
He really wasn’t trying to scare her... He was even going easy with all of them.
’Was I really scary? Why’s she so pale?’
"Don’t be nervous." Pia said, trying to ease Nana.
Sighing again, Vance repeated his question — this time with a soft voice.
Irked by the same phrase, Pia slapped Vance on his back. "I said, ask nicely!"
"Is it nice to ask someone what they can do after they mess up?! It’s like you’re trying to say she can’t do anything!"
Stunned by her words, Vance briefly looked at Xu Jiji for a moment before feigning a cough. He recalled asking Xu Jiji that way when they filmed for his introduction video.
That time, Xu Jiji’s expression was the same as this girl.
’Is that why he was pale too?’
Dispersing his random thoughts, he asked Pia. "Then how should I ask nicely?"
"Instead of asking what she can do, why don’t you ask what she wanted in the first place?"
"Okay, let’s go with that." Nodding, Vance turned to Nana once again and rephrased his question. "What do you want to do?"
’It’s really quite hard to take care of kids.’
After watching the two trainer’s exchange, Nana seemed to calm down a little bit. She inhaled to further ease her anxiety then answered Vance’s question.
"I want to try again."
Vance nodded dramatically so as not to seem nonchalant again. Pia’s slap earlier hurt so much, it felt like it left a handprint on his back.
Holding himself back from clicking his tongue in annoyance, Vance listened to the girl’s singing.
Unlike the first time, Nana’s voice no longer cracked, finally reaching the intended note. Her high-pitched voice complemented with the song’s upbeat and cute atmosphere.
That’s what Vance was trying to aim for. The first time he saw Nana’s petite build, he already had a hunch how her voice would sound like. And he was right.
Meanwhile, Rayen sighed in his mind. This girl’s voice really suited the song. She might lack the techniques that Rayen possessed, but he still couldn’t deny that the part suited her better.
"Alright, you’re the Main Vocal," Vance announced, his expression returning to its usual poker face.
Once again, he scanned the crowd with his eyes, mainly flitting between Minho and Xu Jiji.
"Let’s decide about the main rap parts then. How about you two try?"