Vocal harmonies from the 1940s

Hello singers,

I'm new to the forum, I just joined because I've been trying to find information regarding this really characteristic aspect of music from the 40s, and I can't find it anywhere.

Would anyone have any idea of how the vocal harmonies were built, as in, which tones were working as a supplement for the main one?

As examples, the only things that easily pop to mind right now are Disney's intros to his shorts:

I think everyone with a Disney childhood will get what I'm trying to talk about, since it's really a 'trademark' of the singing of the 40s.

Thank you!

This is a vocal arrangement style designed to emulate the big-band sound of trumpet arrangements, but using voice and lyrics instead of horns. Study some Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman, and get some Andrews Sisters sheet music and you'll be set.

All I know is that the harmonies are very close and tight, each note in the chord sung, with passing tones. They had to have rehearsed like fiends...What particular intervals were favored, I have no idea. Here's a better example, starting at around 1:15.

hahaha that reminds me of that dastardly "it's a small world" ride at disneyland. i hope by the time i have kids who force me to take them to the commercial epicenter of kiddie capatalism - ie disneyworld - that ride will be long gone.

anyway, the stuff you're looking for is the watered down version of what they used to play in the 42nd St NYC clubs way back when.

When I read this I thought it meant like, that sound all the women used to have when they sung way back then...like a sort of muffled sound...but maybe that was just the recording capabilities at the time.

I'm thinking of things like the Wizard of Oz and stuff, although that was before the 40s, wasn't it?