Seth Ferrel performs at the improv show. As well as acting, Ferrell lends his soprano singing voice to his barbershop quartet.
Budding in barbershop
Tuning the chords is the hardest part because of the fluctuating notes that barbershop has. The chords in barbershop sometimes collide strangely, and effectively tuning them can be a difficult job to do right, according to Ferrell.
“Barbershop has a lot of these weird motions where chords get really [awkward] or they start on [notes that don’t sound good together] , and then they [change to fit together],” said Ferrell. “Just making sure it rings, that’s what you want in barbershop, is a ring.”
The full, resonating sound, or ring, that is signature to barbershop style is a part of what drew Ferrell to it initially. Seeing what other groups have done with this style, and also the distinctive sound the style has pushed Ferrell to join his own quartet.
“Barbershop just sounds really neat. I don’t think there’s a musical style a lot like it. There’s just this image in my head of these barbershop singers doing these wonderful songs that start off with one guy and then they all join in, and the chords ring out so wonderfully,” said Ferrell. “It just sounds really amazing to hear, and like going to to see the Ambassadors of Harmony, or listening to Bluegrass Student Union on Spotify, just listening to all these groups just sounds wonderful, and I thought ‘Man, I want to create that.’”
Ferrell believes that singing barbershop is a good thing for experienced singers to familiarize themselves with, but also a good beginning for anyone interested in starting singing at all. Though he admits there would be difficulty learning the musicality, he thinks that everyone is capable of acquainting themselves with it and establishing themselves as barbershop singers.
“I definitely [wish more people would participate]. I feel like it’s kind of hard to get into, you have to have some musical tact about you, but I believe anyone can develop musical tact if they don’t already have it,” said Ferrell. “If you aren’t already into singing, I feel like barbershop is a nice step. There’s a difficulty curve, sure, but it’s a lot of fun if you get into it.”