Barbershop Quartets

[BrianJohnston]

Anybody here a fan of barbershop quartets? I've been a fan for a long time, and thought a BSQ thread could be entertaining as a tangent.

I'm a huge fan of Vocal Spectrum (I think they're the greatest of all time).

It's also very relatable to trombone quartet, except in barbershop quartet, the Lead is the 2nd highest voice, where the majority of trombone quartets it goes from high to low, where the 1st/high player gets all the solos. Anyway, thought this could be interesting, looking forward to others thoughts on this subject.

[hyperbolica]

When I arrange for tbone quartet I often voice a part over the melody. Bluegrass and gospel quartet often does the same thing.

I love barbershop harmony, but I haven't yet transcribed any music to quartet. I ought to try that.

[robcat2075]

I admire the skill of the performers (when they are indeed skilled) at tuning those harmonies.

But it's a texture that wears thin very quickly. Quicker than other sorts of quartets. Ten minutes of barbershop is a lot of barbershop. Massed barbershop singing wears out even faster.

[tmarco97]

Obligatory mention of Philharmonic Flavor.



I also love barbershop quartet music and think there could be a lot of cool things done with trombone quartet and singing.

[Crazy4Tbone86]

Wow! It has been quite a few years since I have seen that particular video. Thanks for bringing it back in the limelight.

It reminds me that Glenn Dodson was bigger than life itself….in talent, skill and personality!

[BGuttman]

Also fun seeing Joe Alessi and Charlie Vernon with hair!

[BrianJohnston]

Charlie singing tenor for the win

[Crazy4Tbone86]

Yes! How ironic that Charlie (a bass trombonist) is singing tenor and Glenn (I considered him to be a master of the upper register on tenor) is singing bass. That's what makes their quartet so entertaining.......it's like we're living in a backwards world!

[PhilE]

There are some very good arrangements and quartets out there.
The Crossroads quartet is superb as were the Musical Island Boys from NZ.
My wife sang with a local Sweet Adelines chorus with over 100 members.
As a choir they were excellent.
I've been listening to some Vocal Majority lately. They've recorded a wide range of music not necessarily following the Barbershop formula. Just good a capella harmony.
I agree with Robcat that the Barbershop style wears a bit thin after a few songs - the choreography after the first few minutes.

[Cotboneman]

In addition to my duties teaching high school school bands in a small district just south of Tucson, I also had the choirs. For a number of years I had students involved in Sweet Adelines and barbershop festivals locally. I really enjoyed that vocal style of music, and it was very popular with my students. As our district grew I moved over to middle school teaching before I retired. The vocal specialist who replaced me did not revive the barbershop groups.