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Four Parts, No Waiting$
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Gage Averill

Print publication date: 2003

Print ISBN-13: 9780195116724

Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: October 2011

DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195116724.001.0001

Introduction: Past Perfect

Chapter:
(p. 3 ) Introduction: Past Perfect
Source:
Four Parts, No Waiting
Author(s):

Gage Averill

Publisher:
Oxford University Press
DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195116724.003.0001

As seen in the title of this book, the four parts of barbershop harmony, which is reminiscent of the “Four chairs, no waiting” signs seen in numerous barbershops across America, signify what appears to be a demonstration of musical fellowship among American males set several years ago in Main Street, U.S.A. A barbershop harmony is usually illustrated using the following characteristics: it has four parts, an a capella composed of four voices — tenor 1, tenor 2, bass 1 and bass 2 — a flexible tempo, seventh-type chords, ringing harmonics, arranging devices, and concentration on songs that were popular during the period roughly between 1890 and 1930. The book generally looks into the contributions of barbershop harmony to the history of American music as it serves as a form of expression for both black and white culture.

Keywords:   barbershop harmony, expression, black and white culture, musical fellowship

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