Backing refers to the playing and the parts that support the lead or the vocal. Strummed guitar chords, piano accompaniment, pads, and the rhythm section are typical examples.
The basic idea
The purpose of backing is not to fill the space behind the star but to build a foundation that lets the star come across. Divide the jobs: supporting the rhythm, spelling out the chords, filling the space.
Its role in writing and performing
Even with the same chord progression, the rhythmic pattern and the tone of the backing change the genre feel of a song. In arrangement, what each part plays in each section is what matters.
How to check it in a DAW
With the lead playing, try thinning out the backing notes or moving them to a lower register and compare. Avoiding the same timing as the lead phrase makes both easier to hear.
Difference from related terms
Backing is the concrete playing that provides the accompaniment, while accompaniment is a broader concept. The word is often used in contrast with the lead.
Good backing never stands out too much, yet you clearly feel it holding up the song.
