Learn To Sing
Introduction
Welcome to the Singing for Pleasure singing course. This site has been created to introduce both experienced and inexperienced singers to the wonderful world of a-capella singing - more specifically, the world of Barbershop singing.
Background
In 2005 the West Midlands Barbershop Harmony Club (WMBHC) followed the example of other barbershop clubs around the UK and ran a course designed to encourage individuals (beginners and experienced singers alike) to improve their singing skills and sample the delights of barbershop singing. The course was such a success that it has been repeated on several occasions since and will be run again in 2011.
It's Not All About Barbershop Though!
The 'Learn to Sing' course is not a course designed to teach you how to sing barbershop. The course is staffed by experienced men who are skilled in teaching singing. They will help you to develop your voice, look after it and how to use it to your best advantage. After participating in the course you are free to continue on your merry way to use you new skills for your own benefit and pleasure. Of course, being as the course has been developed by Barbershoppers, we will use barbershop material to demonstrate our lessons, but the teaching will be of a more generic style - suitable for most styles of singing. Naturally we hope that you will want to continue your journey into the world of song by becoming a member of our society, but this is not a condition of the course.
A Little About Barbershop
Barbershop singing is a close harmony style of singing, which revolves around the use of chords - in particular the distinctive Barbershop seventh chord (dominant seventh). Generally speaking the closer a song follows a chord progression known as the circle of fifths, the more suitable it is for Barbershop arrangement. These songs are traditionally simple melodies and contain lyrics which are easily defined. Indeed it is this simplicity and use of dominant seventh chords, which gives the Barbershop songs their unique identity, although it is true to say that many more modern songs featuring more complex harmonies and following the circle of fifths less strictly are increasingly finding their way into Barbershop repertoire. Another quality of Barbershop singing which helps distinguish its unique quality is the use of Just Intonation. A discussion of Just Intonation is the subject of an article elsewhere on this website.
Why Sing Barbershop?
Many people do not see themselves as singers and claim that they are tone deaf, yet many of these same people will happily sing whilst working, talking a bath or shower or even after a few beers in the local. I know, I was one of those people. I used to love going to the pub and getting involved in "singing" with my mates or even doing a bit with the mike! Yet when asked to sing in public (without the alcoholic catalyst!) I would always say "No way. I can't do that." So how come I sing with a Barbershop chorus? Well, how I got into Barbershop singing in the first place is another story. What matters is that I am still doing it after ten years, and I still love it.
So what keeps me interested?
Well to begin with, the music is just terrific. The richness of the chords and the simplicity of the songs are just two things which keep me in there, but there is much more to it than just the music. The Barbershop community displays a perfect blend of camaraderie and friendship, coupled with wild enthusiasm for the hobby; a hobby which gives pleasure, not only to the participants, but also - as I have seen at many performances - to audiences of mixed gender, race, culture, ethnic background and age. I have made lasting friendships across the UK and know that, wherever I go in this world, I can be assured of a welcome in any Barbershop society.
Interested?
Our next Learn to Sing course is a one day course and will take place on Sunday, 16th. October 2011. Details about the course curriculum and timings on the day will appear here very soon. In the meantime you can register your interest by filling in an on line registration form. Be warned, though! There are a limited number of places availabled so you should register your interest as soon as possible. If you complete the on line registration form and you are unlucky enough to miss a placement on the next course, do not worry! Your details will be retained (unless you choose for us not to keep them) and you will be be contacted as soon as the date for the next course has been established.