Harmony singing instruction

[fAtHanD]

I was going to post this question in the Theory, Technique, Tips and Tricks section but it does not really apply to the mandolin per se. I decided to post it here because harmony singing is found frequently in Bluegrass.

OK here's my question...I play mando in a BG band and our vocals are not where we would like them to be. We are trying to concentrate on this during practice however singing harmony does not come nature to any of us.

Are they any resources out there that you could recommend on this specific topic?

Thanks

[Tom C]

Finding the notes to sing can be found by using the mandolin.

Play the first note of the melody on the mando. Then play a third up to find the harmony. Have them start singing on that note.
So if the tune is in D, and melody starts on D, harmony should start on F#.
If tune is in D and melody starts on F#. Harmony would start on A. You have to figure where to go from there because it's same as....
If tune is in D and melody starts on A. You have to figure if the harnony would
start on the 7th or the 1st(D). Maybe even flatted 7th. Ther's no correct answer here it's what sounds right.

[bradeinhorn]

my band, which i feel had some great trio singing, actually took a lot of time out to do vocal rehearsals with just a guitar or a cappela. bg tenor and baritone harmonies (on 3rd and fifth) are pretty standard and can be worked on to a point where singing a particular part and hearing it come naturally. people forget singing is just like anything else. practice makes perfect. and listen to groups like the bluegrass cardinals or quicksilver or others with harmony singing you enjoy.

[Scotti Adams]

http://elderly.com/books/items/196-27CD.htm

[ShaneJ]

I grew up singing acapella music in church - four part harmony. I learned by doing, and by using the song books with shape notes for all parts. If your group plays any Gospel tunes, get a church song book or two and practice that way. Either acapella or just a simple guitar chord background will help you focus on the vocals. Shape notes aren't imperitive, but they make things a little easier to sight read if you're not very familiar with notation. If everyone in your group has enough of an ear to recognize when their instrument is in tune or out of tune, then you all have the ability to sing harmony. It's just a skill that needs developing and practice - like everything else.

[RobP]

Homespun tapes has a "how to sing vocal harmony" CD set -- I bought it for the kids to listen to but I havent used it yet.

Personally I got my "harmony ear" by singing in church choir for 4 years. Often times I would be the only tenor to show up for practice -- so I got a lot of "coaching" from the director. Trial by fire. It was like taking a free class. Give it a try -- it's a lot of fun too!

Rob

[EdSherry]

Try these:

http://www.amazon.com/Learn-S....&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/How-Sin....&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Learn-S....&sr=1-4

http://musicbooksplus.com/vocal-harm...op-p-6648.html

The above are bluegrass-specific. #The next two are more general:

http://thesingersworkshop.com/harmony.html

http://www.singers.com/instructional...nysinging.html

how to sing old timey harmony: "ok, when i start singin, you all start singin"

[bgjunkie]

Bluegrass College has vocal lessons. They break out the lead and harmony parts into different mp3s so you can practice and learn each part.

[Fred G]

I bought the Nasheville Bluegrass Band vocal harmony workshop CD. It is pretty good for practicing on your own. They sing songs with 2,3 and 4 part harmony and sing each part separately so you can sing along then sing over the other parts. I think with a little practice then having your group break the parts down note by note as Tom suggests should work.

[ManjoMan]

Wow! I didn't know there were instructional materials out there for this particular topic. I grew up standing next to the stereo with the Osborne Brothers playing and singing. I listened to it so much that it is stuck in my head. I can't remember not knowing what harmony is supposed to sound like. I even have trouble telling people how to sing harmony as I don't know theory (except that it is supposed to be 3rd's & 5th's), but I can usually find the part myself. I can't read music or tab either. If I can't hear it in my head, I can't play it. I guess everything is relative to how you learned growing up. I was always surrounded with bluegrass - particularly the mandolin. Outside of the Osborned Brothers, I thought my dad was the only guy to ever play the "little guitar" - then I discovered Doyle Lawson (and others).

Good luck with the singing. I find more pleasure working out harmony parts in a song than working on a good mandolin break.

[August Watters]

I'm teaching an adult ed class now on harmony singing for the Boston Bluegrass Union. Next class won't start until fall.