In a message dated 6/2/2006 7:01:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time, DanJett@...
writes:

> Hello, Dan Jett here. I'm new to the forum, and new to barbershop
> bass. But even more pointedly, I'm new to singing of any kind - a
> Vocal Virgin at age 54! And without fully understanding how it
> happened, I suddenly find myself neck deep not just in a chorus, but
> in a quartet performing regular gigs. That's why I say that I feel
> like I'm in a reality TV show called Barbershop Bootcamp, where they
> take a guy off the street, put him through a crash course, and then
> try to pass him off as a real barbershop singer. Clearly, I'm
> looking for all the help I can get.
>
> I joined the Santa Cruz, CA chapter, The Gold Standard Chorus, about
> 9 months ago after being invited along for Christmas caroling. Our
> group is a small recreational chorus, but longtime barbershoppers may
> recognize our most prominent member, Jerry Orloff, and his wonderful
> wife, Kim. Jerry, with over 4 decades of Society service, is the
> all time Man of Note recruiter, with 174 pelts to his credit – and he
> sings bass! Among many accomplishments, Jerry and Kim founded the
> Mixed Harmony Barbershop Quartet Association (MHBQA), which helps
> explain the unique character of our chorus which welcomes a handful
> of women as "associate" members.
>
> The director informed me that I was a bass, which I thought was
> extremely cool, having always just assumed I was an untrained
> baritone. My hook is that as an active trumpetplayer, I read music
> well, have a pretty good ear, and I'm comfortable with performing in
> small ensembles. But I never sang anywhere beyond the shower walls,
> and my musical experience has been all treble clef on a melody, not
> harmony, instrument. But I always loved the barbershop sound, all
> the way back to high school when my best friend (a Tenor, who never
> did quite grow up) sang "Coney Island Baby" in a quartet for our
> talent show. I can still remember those great bass licks.
>
> Barbershop and me seem to have hit it off. I love the chance to get
> out from behind the horn & music stand, and ham it up. Drawn
> together by fortunate timing and good chemistry, including a mutual
> goal to sing express our Christian faith through singing, I suddenly
> found myself in a quartet headed by a marvelously talented and
> experienced 4-part man covering baritone. Our Lead has very little
> barbershop experience, but is a real Natural, an aging American
> Idol/karaoke king with seeming unlimited range (has to sing Lead
> cause he isn't well acquainted with harmony, or reading music). And
> I really love our Tenor – literally, because she is my wife. Gina
> has a lovely voice, but not much more singing experience than me, at
> least in the 25 years of our married life. Singing together is
> proving to be a wonderful experience we can share (neither of us
> likes golf). And with no barbershop-widow issues.
>
> Our fellow choristers seem enthusiastic about our quartet, directing
> gigs to us and setting up a sing-and-interview spot on local radio to
> promote singing valentines. The upshot of all this is that I've got
> to figure out how to be a real Bass - in a hurry and on the fly. I
> desperately need collective Bass Wisdom!
>
> Yours in (low) Harmony,
> Dan
>
> Dan Jett
> La Selva Beach, CA
>

Dan, I started singing barbershop at about the same age, also in a mixed
quartet, with a female bari and tenor (my wife). With your music background, I'm
sure you'll take to it quickly. In terms of advice, I recommend listening to
many top quality quartet CD's to get a feeling for how the great basses handle
the part. You also might want to explore the society website, where you can get
some craft pointers. I recall that there's a great article on how to be a
great bass.

Other than that, I'd advise you not to try to sound too "bassy" by trying to
artificially darken the sound. Just sing with good natural resonance, and try
to produce a good legato bass line. Sing pretty, almost like you have another
melody part, and spend some time dueting with your lead.

This list has been quiet lately, but some great basses and teachers like
Brian Beck used to contribute. Hope they are still listening!

Duane Johnson
Bass, Hoosier Gentry