Final Woodshedding Words

(Part 5 of 5 in a series) --provided to PROBE by Toban Dvoretzky, President of AHSOW

Woodshedders should be able to create, hear, and recognize these primary chords:

  1. Major Triad: "My *WILD* I-rish *ROSE*" (as in Barberole Cat version)
  2. Barbershop Seventh: "*MY* wild I-*RISH* ro-*OSE*"
  3. Diminished Seventh: "The swee-test flow'r that gro-*O*-ows; *YOU MAY*"
  4. Minor Triad: "Shine *ON* me, in the eev-ning" (= the second time through).

These chords make up the vast percentage of the chords employed during woodshedding. And avoid sweating the chord names or types; they're mentioned here only so you can consciously inform your ear about the chords you ought to listen for. Inform yourself consciously once, then trust your ear to handle the rest.

If authentic woodshedding is to be its most rewarding and fulfilling, it must be the BEST SINGING THAT WE EVER DO. Continuous sound, matched/sustained vowel targets, supported breathing, great intonation, and taking proper tune-up/initial chords are crucial to the ringing of chords and the natural satisfaction that we get from it. If we don't bother to do what it takes to make the chords ring, then why bother to woodshed at all? If one or more woodshedders fails to apply any of these fundamentals to his efforts, the likelihood increases that one or more others in his woodshed quartet will excuse himself "to go to the restroom" after a song or two. After all, one of the true joys of woodshedding is to stand with the same three other guys from midnight till four a.m., switching parts and extemporaneously arranging an inexhaustible supply of melodies -- with no one getting tired of any of it!

Barbershoppers have also asked about publications on woodshedding. One good source of information (and melodies) is available for order from the the Society "Harmony Marketplace" in Kenosha (1-800-876-7464):

Pocket Woodshedder #1 (stock #6021; $2.95 + shipping).

The price is assumed current. The above item and the part-predominant Barberpole Cat tapes are excellent investments for anyone wishing to prepare himself or his chapter for the fulfillment of woodshedding activity.

A "must-have" item is the new "Discovery Singing" folio of melodies produced by AHSOW in Fall 1998. The folio contains 41 highly woodsheddable melodies that have been exhaustively tested for suitability. AHSOW members (we know who you are) can order this folio at $3 per copy; for everyone else, it's $5 per folio. Shipping is included in these figures. Along with your full address and a note to explain what the funds are for, send a check, payable to AHSOW, to:

Ed Hartley, AHSOW Manager/Treasurer
246 Payne Road
Quilcene, WA 98376-9658, U.S.A.

The AHSOW "Discovery Singing" folio has proven exceptionally popular, so order yours today!

Feel free to contact AHSOW, Inc. at any time with inquiries about woodshedding.

ANCIENT HARMONIOUS SOCIETY OF WOODSHEDDERS, INC.
Toban Dvoretzky, Pres.TBone@selec.net (H)
14531 Ella Blvd., #3806 AHSOW web page: http://www.ahsow.org
Houston, TX 77014-2558, U.S.A.

HR

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