Invest in some popular and reputable music-mixing software. Ensure that the software comes with a library of instrument samples and, in particular, drum beats. Drums are the most fundamental instrument for any singer's backing track because they set the tempo and hold the timing for a song. Some top-quality music making programs are Sony ACID Pro, Adobe Audition and the more urban-based DUBturbo (see Resources).
Open your program's sample collection and select an appropriate beat. Choose a deep bass drum hit and a snare rim-shot (a ticking sound where the stick meets the rim of the snare drum) for the simplest form of backing beat. Arrange the hits in consistently the correct order because not doing so might throw the rhythm of the song out of sync with your voice. For example, use a bass, rim, bass, bass, rim pattern as a simple beat bar and then repeat the bar over and over again for continuity.
Correct any timing mistakes and add any other instruments to finish your artificial singing beat. Look closely in the program's drum music line for gaps in the bars and inconsistencies in the timing or the number of notes. Also, add instrument samples to the other program music lines and add extra effects to the beat. For example, insert a simple bass line triad to complement your drum beat: If you are singing in the key of C, add a bass line that runs through C, E and G on a loop. Experiment with different runs, notes and timings until you are happy with the finished beat.
Enlist the help of musicians for the exact instruments you need. Include at least a drummer and bass guitarist because these are the two instruments that will hold the rhythm and timing of your singing piece. Other instruments such as the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard and piano are used for making melodies on top of the beats. Decide whether you want a bare minimum of backing or an extravagant musical number.
Play together in the right pitch. Although the drum cannot be pitched to your voice, a bass guitar, piano or electric guitar can. Inform the other musicians what key you are singing in so they can adjust their playing accordingly. Also ensure that all the members of the group are playing to the same tempo, for example at four beats per bar or at three beats per bar. Find the tempo and pitch of the song you are singing at the top of the sheet music (if you have any).
Practice with the band. Make sure that you are comfortable with the timing, pitch and key of the piece so that, when it comes to performance or recording, your voice will perfectly complement the song. Don't hesitate to ask the other musicians to drop a key or raise it an octave in certain sections; playing music in a band is collaboration and you should all try to agree on a final version of the singing beat.