Categories: uncategorized
Date: 27 April 2008 10:40:03
In the past year we (wife and I) intentionally took a rest from church involvement. Well, as you will probably understand, the break from a church commitment, that was my life really, meant a fair amount of free time on my hands.
So.... I got involved in singing. An oft supressed yearning to learn to sing in harmony has taken over and... I've joined a mens barbershop chorus.
Now I know this is not in the same league as Singing Semele but I am really enjoying it, the barbershop style somehow suits me.
Barbershop singing is unaccompanied four-part harmony, but not (I understand) the same as classical harmony in that there is a predominance of minor and seventh chords in the vocals.
I sing lead, which is most times the melody, the tenors harmonize above the melody, the bass's sing the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritones complete the chord, usually below the lead
I have learnt so much in 12 months, one of the things barbershoppers strive for is trying to hit a chord so that it “rings” this is something almost magical and I am not certain that I have truly heard it yet.
I'll let you know when I do.
If I get good enough, I'd love to be in a quartet that sings spiritual songs in the barbershop style.