Keep it barbershop

Submitted by Lloyd Davis, PROBE, G&S judge, bulletin exchange list
Written by Dave Stevens, circa 1979

Recently a fellow Barbershopper asked me to explain the difference between contest and show barbershop. I told him I'd try.

Actually, how it started was when he accused the Society of publishing non-barbershop because some of our arrangements carry the legend, "This arrangement was not written with the intention of its being used in our contests." In his opinion, this meant we subscribe to a double standard in our publishing program by printing non-barbershop music.

In several bulletins to district directors of music education, I've been discussing principles of barbershop so my attempt to explain contest vs. show music was based on these very same principles (melody, lyric, embellishments, mechanics and chord voicing) and applying these not only to the song but also to the arrangement gives us a logical approach to the question.

In a contest, quartets attempt to use songs and arrangements that rate as high as possible in all barbershop principles-whether they are aware of it or not. In other words, coaches, judges and directors are constantly advising our singing units on the best material to present on the stage in a contest.

Some songs (and arrangements) may not rate quite as high as others in the various principles. Let's say "Hey, Look Me Over" rates high on barbershop chords and chord progressions (which it does), but there's some doubt about the lyric being all that barbershop. So we may knock the rating down a bit on that principle in our own minds when we're considering contest. Another principle the song falls down in is the area of embellishments. The opportunity for our beloved tiddleys is lacking. One further point on analysis of the melody line is that there are two spots of nothing but chromatic moves which are tough to harmonize smoothly. All in all, I, for one, would probably decide not to use it in a contest.

We need to rate the song and arrangement as best we can on all barbershop principles and only then can we start to get a feel as to its worthiness as a barbershop vehicle.

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