Dan, not sure what they told me 20 years ago, but here are a few important
items, not in the order of importance, but off the top of my head:

1) Learn proper diaphragm breathing - you need it on those low notes.
2) Practice number one until it becomes automatic.
3) Remember to soften your sound as you go up the scale. Higher = softer
4) If a note has a #, b, or natural, put a little extra power on the note.
5) Listen, listen and listen... you need to be voiced right under the Lead.
6) Sing the emotion of the lyrics.
7) Buy and borrow lots of International recordings and listen to the Bass -
See if you can match their sounds and techniques. I learned how to do a
downward scoop as is sometimes done at the end of Nellie by watching Terry Clark
in a video of The Boston Commons winning their Gold Medals. I got this huge grin
on my face as I said aloud, "So THAT'S how it's done!!!"
8) Attend as many concerts and conventions and District Training Sessions as
you can without risking divorce.

That should get you started...

Jon Wagner (originally a Bass and still one in my current quartet)
Director, Par For The Chorus
Barbershop Harmony Society
Sun City Center FL
jon@...<mailto:jon@...>
813-810-0283
Fax: 813-671-0283

www.padmakr.com<http://www.padmakr.com/>
800-529-1832
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Jett<mailto:DanJett@...>
To: BBSBasses@yahoogroups.com<mailto:BBSBasses@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 4:06 PM
Subject: [BBSBasses] Your Top 5


I'd like the experienced members to give us newbies the top 5 (or so)
things you wish were told when you began singing barbershop bass. It
appears that this topic has been addressed sporadically a few times in
the discussions, and the advice is very helpful. But I would sure like
to see it recapped and expanded. And I invite those who may have
already weighed in on this to reiterate, again, redundantly if
necessary.

thanks,
Dan





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