I was wondering if vocal demos absolutely need to be created with the help of an accompanist and not instrumental music/karaoke tracks. Is using an accompanist still the norm, and would it be unprofessional/frowned upon to used instrumental tracks?

I just think that instrumental tracks lend more power to the vocalist, because you get to hear every beat and every instrument in the music.

I'm asking about this considering all will be done in a professional recording studio.

Thanks in advance!

Judging by the demos at BroadwayDemo.com it seems an accompanist is still norm. I am thinking that a full orchestrated soundtrack would take away from your voice which should be the main focus of the demo. Much as a plain background is prefered in a headshot an accompanist is preferred to not compete with your voice. You are selling your voice, not the arrangement, the lyrics, the orchestra, just you.

Thanks DadinWestchester. I actually know the people who own BroadwayDemo as they are friends of my most recent voice teacher and have helped me with some music-related stuff.

I guess I was basically expecting the answer you gave me after listening to all of the demos on the BroadwayDemo website, but I was wondering if anyone has done it differently.

If anyone HAS recorded a vocal demo using instrumental tracks, could you share your experiences about the feedback you've received?