Uncovering the Secrets of Vocal Harmony

[@ConradGodfrey]

Never knew how much I needed to see an interview with the Accent nerds

[@AccentVocal]

Eyyy Conrad!

[@AccentVocal]

Such a pleasure to spend this time with you!

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

Wow I am a real sucker for vocal harmony, from medieval European polyphany through to this kind of thing. Never heard of Gene Puerling so not only did I learn something about vocal arranging, but I got a new name to explore. Thank you for that.

[@irish9268]

vocal harmony is so cool

[@jst3457]

Wow, I'm gonna view this video quite often!

[@AccentVocal]

🙏

[@johanduplessis4281]

Man. Just crazy crazy CRAZY good!!😳😳

[@AccentVocal]

😊

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

I thought I recognized you at Vibrato! I should have introduced myself. ACCENT is amazing and it is beautiful that are sharing them with your massive audience.

[@tenpiualto]

I haven't heard of this "Accent" group before, but they're very good. I'm a composer and arranger myself, and particularly enjoyed the conversation on choice of key. In an a cappella group I helped found in 2000 (unfortunately no longer still active) we did an arrangement I wrote of the Irish folk song "She Moved Through the Fair," based partly on my experience singing out frequently in Irish pubs over the years. It's a mixolydian tune, and because it's where it goes best in my voice, and I usually sing it unaccompanied, the arrangement is in F#. As I wrote it, I didn't realize there isn't a single accidental in the score from beginning to end, making it 100% diatonic mixolydian. That fact was pointed out to me by another member of the group with whom I collaborated on program order and program notes, and he had an idea for a way to highlight that factoid. Included in the same program was a motet by Hans Leo Hassler, a German Renaissance composer. "Ad Dominum cumtribularer" is a highly chromatic piece, and in the edition we were singing it from, in g minor. The first six notes spell out exactly half of an ascending chromatic scale. My colleague suggested pitching it down a half step to f# minor, and sing it immediately following "She Moved..." Simple, but brilliant, that combo proved extremely effective with audiences, aided by a spoken introduction to the pair that mentioned the diatonic/chromatic contrast, and asked that they hold their applause until after the Hassler. Maybe the best reason I've ever sung something transposed.

[@brandongunnarson7483]

16:36 Aimee on the low part is so warm I love it

[@necroslikerock]

Wow I can't believe I'm seeing Simon Åkesson in an Aimee video. So cool that two of my greatest musical inspirations collab ☺️

[@AccentVocal]

Believe it!

[@svensvensson6705]

Måste kolla in denna här Åkesson 👍 Edit: nu känner jag igen han. Han är grym

[@TheSeeking2know]

Beautiful! I think you just provided a vocal resource for the internet! Hope it gets watched by many people over time. Great vocals by the guys!

[@DanielDeRudder]

To me the human singing voice is the finest instrument in existence, hands down. Great job by this group.

[@SilverTheFlame]

Holy GOD AUDIFOD THIS VIDEO IS INCREDIBLE

[@solomondenard4007]

This is the insight into the musical process that makes us better, more more and more Thanks A.N for connecting these musical dots, your awakening my understanding can't thank you enough ❤

[@AccentVocal]

❤️

[@SurferJoe1]

As a former Disney artist I love the reference to "You Can Fly", one of my favorite sequences in all their work. I've held the original storyboards in my hands, and of course everything in the vocal arrangement works so well to convey flight, weightlessness, and the feeling of magic and going somewhere magical. And Christmas- what makes something Christmassy, musically speaking?- is directly evoked in the lyrics of that song, as it is here in the discussion.

[@josedelva9494]

She did a great job

[@JulianFernandez]

these guys killed it. thanks for sharing!

[@camtaylormusic]

Four fantastic things I love about this video 1. Of course, the harmony, and the examples, and the singing. Goes without saying, these guys are super experienced. 2. Talking about the ninth as "emotional exponentiator" - much like "flavour enhancer" as one of my fellow piano teacher colleagues Forrest Kinney used to say, "makes major more major, and minor more minor" 3. Seeing these guys again after all this time. I must have watched Danny Fong's "Go the Distance" a hundred odd times back 14 years ago (I transcribed it and tried it but my quartet couldn't really nail it way back then), and many of his other great multitracks, ditto Andrew Kessler, and their early collabs, Jean-Baptiste, and I remember a couple older ones from Simon. So cool to see this group still going strong after many years. I didn't even recognise Danny when I first saw him, but of course I knew him from the group and recognised his voice. 4. JB's belt on that high Bb in the three part Gospel-style (actually that mini-arrangement I just loved) Aww man, warm fuzzies! Great video.

[@edburdo]

I wish I could give this more than one thumbs up! Amazing showcase of how harmony effects the song.

[@grantheineman]

What a hang

[@jakegatesmusic]

OMG! This is so cool! I've been a fan of Accent for years!

[@AccentVocal]

Thanks for following 😊

[@louisontiffou7407]

WAITED FOR THIS ALL MY LIFE

[@artiemixx9319]

One of my favorite of your videos (among so many other faves). I enjoyed learning about the large variety of voicing choices, each one of which has its own distinct sound. A cappella, when performed well, is such a treat and these boys did a great job.

[@dckmusic]

I should have started watching this on Nebula. Will have to go watch it there soon.

[@robertmayhew98]

Thank you Aimee for introducing these fine musicians. Absolutely amazing 🤗

[@Richard-wz7bu]

Love the shoes, Amy! Great video! A capella music is wonderful.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Andrew's arrangement of God Only Knows by The Manhattan Transfer is exquisite. I would like to shout that out now that I have discovered it is the one and the same fellow. Thank you to esanders. I assume Andrew also had to work under the pressures of Covid as well so the orchestra and singers could not actually come together. It is a gorgeous arrangement as gorgeous as that group's renowned take of A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square. Phenomenal talent.

[@AndrewKesler]

Thank you! That’s very kind. The vocals were arranged by Amanda Taylor and then I wrote the orchestra around that and added an intro. All done during COVID so yes was all done separately. Even the orchestra recorded in sections (strings, woodwinds, brass and perc). Was a really thrilling project to be part of and David Thomas and Tony Shepperd did an incredible job producing and mixing respectively!

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

@@AndrewKesler Congratulations and all the very best.

[@agerray]

ALL of your videos are great! But as someone who sings in a community choir, this one was certainly special for me - an inspiring insight into how such groups work. Thank you. 🙂

[@AccentVocal]

Thanks for watching!

[@agerray]

@@AccentVocal Thanks for singing!!!

[@georgehiggins1320]

These guys just visited my college for jazz fest. Pretty sweet workshops and amazing concert!

[@AccentVocal]

Hello! Thanks!

[@PauLinneykind]

Happy to see all of You together. It’s big surprise for me.

[@peterspitz2385]

Just finished watching the extended version on Nebula, and all I can say is WOW! Thank you so much for making this video, Aimee.

[@AccentVocal]

❤

[@alanrie]

Wow! That's a pretty unexpected collaboration to be sure, but a very welcome one! ACCENT are outstanding

[@AccentVocal]

Many thanks!

[@e-m7309]

I love this. ❤ wish I could sing like that.

[@AccentVocal]

❤

[@KeithCooper-Albuquerque]

WOW! Two of my favorites in one video! I love the discussion of the voicing, structures, blending, all of it! Great job!

[@Aaron-yh1vf]

Aimee your videos are always brilliant but you and the gang went over the top on this one. Its the perfect blend of music, study, theory and more. When the lads all came in on the 3 part harmonies it was instant chills, the power of vocals singing harmonies together is truly the sweetest sound. Its so incredible to hear the changes from unison, octaves and more and how it really changes the overall feel from almost a simple folk song to a complex jazz piece. One of my favorite chords was still that ending DbMaj9, I replayed that part about 10 times or so. Thank you and all the guys from ACCENT for this incredible video.

[@AccentVocal]

That means a lot!

[@sagarkapoor9892]

I have been following them for years now, and Simon is a genius and he was kind enough to send me sheets of many of his arrangements just out of goodwill. This was such a pleasant surprise to see them. I have heard song for gene countless times and studied the arrangement as well. It is beyond brilliant and beautiful. Sorry if I have been too overenthusiastic. Love this!

[@lawrenrich6419]

Amazing what the voice can do. Ha .. and they went all the way’ today ..

[@AccentVocal]

😏

[@cherylkeller5242]

Just gave us a great lesson in the history of Western harmony, which began of course with VOICES. Thanks!

[@CheeseDud]

I've loved Accent and its members for years! So cool that you had them on, Aimee

[@paulrodberg]

What a trip. Thanks loved it.

[@brahmin13579]

Thank you for presenting ACCENT. These guys are great singers and harmonizers. So good to see men being with each other in friendship and song.

[@milkgrapes6420]

Accent is as mindblowing as Take 6 was to me. Phenomenal act

[@Darm0k]

Great video. I've been a fan of a capella music since seeing Rockapella on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego in the early 90s. These guys are fantastic and I love the arrangements.

[@jorgestramusic]

So exciting to see Aimee with the great guys of Accent! Great video everyone.

[@AccentVocal]

Gracias, amigo!

[@bobrong9645]

You guys are amazing. Thanks, Aimee to introduce them to us.

[@AccentVocal]

Glad to be introduced!

[@lakegirlroxy9852]

Loved listening to this video, I watched it two times, just beautiful! Thank you Ms. Aimee for sharing… loved the song, loved the vocalist and loved you. Great video!

[@AimeeNolte]

Thanks Roxy! Two times, huh?! That’s rad.

[@StanManMusic]

Brilliant, Guys.

[@AccentVocal]

❤

[@kevinboissonneau8843]

Fantastic!!

[@pteddie6965]

Beautiful stuff!

This video made my day!! Thank you everyone!!!

[@TylerLeeJones]

just showed my sibling a bunch of Accent AND Aimee videos yesterday, wow!!

[@AimeeNolte]

That’s nuts

[@TylerLeeJones]

I love this group so much, been following Danny, Andrew, JB, and James all before Accent even formed, I was a day 1 fan and subscriber and I can't wait to see them in NYC next week! 💖

[@AccentVocal]

Awesome 😎

[@lighterwaves5659]

a visual, if chords were ppl. this vid is Amazing✨✨✨

[@davidwhite9192]

That was so great! Thank Aimii and to ACCENT. That was fun to watch and learn.

[@gregorydiasmusic]

How did you know I needed this?

[@WyattLite-n-inn]

Amy please do another one of these !

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Fantatstic. Thank you ACCENT for a beautiful rendition and to both you and Aimee for the follow up discussion. Anyone interest in harmony need to check out the group Lambert, Hendricks and Ross and The Manhattan Transfer. After 50 years, wow, the Manhattan Transfer are currently doing their final world tour. Their harmonies remain phenomenal and they took the mantle for the Kings of Vocalese in many people's opinions.. Cheryl Bentyne has a singing register over four octaves. Watch their video for God Only Knows. It is a beautiful piece of harmony and phrasing. A group in their seventies who still can produce the goods. Shows the value of taking care of your voice just like any other instrument. Another great harmony piece: The Manhattan Transfer - The Night That Monk Returned To Heaven.

[@esanders]

Totally! And guess what? Our member Andrew (the one who introduced himself as the 4th tenor) wrote the orchestration for that version of “God Only Knows” 😁

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

@@esanders Wow. That's impressive. I thought that (the arrangement) was nominated for a grammy. I know the album was. I am going to be checking out your music as I love what I hear. Watching this video definitely made me think of the Hi-Los yet still importantly with your own unique qualities shining through. Such lovely timbre and the phrasing is spellbinding and so precise. I am not an expert on music but this was incredibly moving.

[@SkipDolt]

Fantastic video! This is gold.

[@AccentVocal]

Thanks, Skip 😊

[@MarkFromHawaii]

Thank you Aimee and ACCENT for this very excellent and informative video. I sent the link to my wife who teaches choir. We’re preparing for a concert joining other choirs with Deke Sharon in New York next month.

[@tonyyaro5230]

Aimee, thank you for being such a great teacher to all of us! I'm a beginner musician from Russia. I want to play piano, improvise and scatt. Working on those things with your help. Also i sang in acappela group for a few years. Just to be on topic 😅 Thank U So Much! You're such an inspiration!

[@brunosampaio2399]

Amazing! Wow! I notice trough the years making music that some people simply don´t know how to sing along with others, they can only sing in a solo way. An when they try it simply does not wprk, they sound like, say, three solos, not like an instrument.

[@sampowellmusic]

very enjoyable!

[@fess04]

outta sight :) . who could have a war after listening to this . :)

[@sergrito]

How inspiring!!

[@AccentVocal]

🙏

[@hejasverigeee]

Love Accent - Love Simon - Yes I'm from Stockholm Sweden ❤️ Greetings and love to you too Aimee, ❤️🇬🇧🇸🇪🇺🇸

[@AccentVocal]

Hej!

[@JoaoCarlos-gd1km]

Show bravo👏👏👏❤

[@gmf2112]

Wow that video made my day as well!! I love harmonies, and this group just lavished me with all those gorgeous harmonies! Thanks Aimee!!

[@thomascollins1739]

These guys sound like The Beach Boys. The Beach Boys’ vocal sound has such a distinctive style of Cappella on some of their early records.

[@gustamanavo]

What a great video!

[@gadymarcus5297]

magnifico.💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@HenkJanDrums]

Amazing. Thanks!

[@rakatafly1978]

Salut Jean-Baptiiiiiiiiste !!! Que de chemin parcouru ! 🙂

[@jbcraipeau]

Hello! J'espère que tu vas bien!

[@rakatafly1978]

@@jbcraipeau On ne s'est jamais vus en vrai, mais je te suis depuis des années sur KZbin ! Dès que vous ferez un concert à Tours, je saute dans le train ! Et puis si c'est à Paris, ben... encore mieux, je prendrai le métro ;-)

[@sallyjohansson6045]

They must each have perfect pitch ability. Amazing!

[@AndrewKesler]

None of us have perfect pitch!

[@sallyjohansson6045]

@@AndrewKeslerreally!? Then how do you keep in tune? Maybe perfect relative pitch. In any case, this was a joy to watch! Glad you all found each other.

[@cherylkeller5242]

@@sallyjohansson6045 Let's hear it for those overtones - that's how they keep their intonation!

[@AccentVocal]

@@sallyjohansson6045 We always work on maintaining the key center and of course we tune to each other 😊

[@composernotes]

wonderful!

[@coreyfleig2139]

Yep! I've listened to the Hi-Los for a long time. It's extremely hard to find singers who can do the middle voicings. Id say 1 in 10,000.

[@jeffreyfeinstein5525]

...just passed by and suddenly...that first song, wWowA! It's not just that Y'all sound fresh and very Cool but the elements brought out such love! And in this 'season', 'what the world needs (even MORE) now is love, sweet love'! Don"t even know if there's a name you go by yet but Y'all got an appreciative fan✽❀✨ (( Ms. Aimee, Wheeeeere's that flipped around montuno, pahlease? ahhhhh, lol***

[@AimeeNolte]

The vocal group is Accent - all their links are in the description of this video ;) Search my “shorts” tab here on KZbin and you’ll find the Montuno one 🙌🏼

[@jeffreyfeinstein5525]

@@AimeeNolte Ah got on and into Accent immidiately. ((Also let 'em know where i had the grace to initially listen to them. ThanKs 'MissAimee'! And the Montuno, case i dont get back soon, "∪ da boss-a" and on mah heart, sistah✽❀↲♡

[@piterstay2]

Очень красиво!

[@soledadtravesi2606]

Olé!

[@jimkangas4176]

Enjoyed this. I've been looking for a book or resource on how to do harmonization other than just intervals (most harmony texts). Is there such a thing? Thanks.

[@Kirk-Monteux-Production]

golden golden golden (to be in a triad)

[@johnblau5190]

TRY Singing some Buddy Emmons Steel Guitar Voiceings ?

[@msx64kb]

SIMON! Din galning

[@AccentVocal]

Ja? Precis

[@kaptnkirk2740]

But *WHY* did they change the harmonies when going to 4-parts? I would like to understand *HOW* to write this kind of music an then this chaos... btw. there ist a fault in the 3-part sheetmusic. In bar two ten.1 has a Db.

[@AccentVocal]

Just wanted to see if you were paying attention! Yes, we ended up changing tenor 1 to Db and tenor 2 to Ab. The notes you see in the chart would still work, too, just a different taste! Aimee actually asked us to change it 😊

[@kaptnkirk2740]

@@AccentVocal but why did you change the harmonies? At "how *sweet* ..." first you took the 4. degree and in 4-part you took the 6. degree and ended the phrase on tonic instead of dominant. To me that seems not to work on *one* version from less to more voices.

[@AccentVocal]

@@kaptnkirk2740 hopefully we understand your question. The 4 part “basic” version was actually just a choral version we found online but wasn’t our arrangement. If you’re asking why the chord on “sweet” is a vi (6 minor) chord, well, it’s just an available choice that works beneath the melody for sure. In our “advanced” version we just decided to keep some sort of IV (4) chord. But all the versions actually end that phrase (the word “sound”) on the tonic! The advanced one goes from a Gmin to an Ebadd9/G (first inversion) on that word. Why did we do it? To us it sounded good, and again, works with the melody :)

[@kaptnkirk2740]

@@AccentVocal Sorry, my english isn't well. Degree means: in the key of Eb, Eb ist the first degree, f ist the second one and so on. In 3-part, you took Ab-major, the chord on 4. degree. In 4-part, you took d-minor, the chord on 6. degree in the key of F. The *same* version would take Bb-major on this position.

[@AccentVocal]

@@kaptnkirk2740 we edited our comment above so hopefully it helps!

[@davidbridenstine6358]

When b9 becomes b2.

[@stephensealy9432]

@lekeoloyede