4 and 5 part harmony usually ends up sounding rather "barbershop" in nature, but not always.

Most Pop songs, you'll find one of three basic harmonies being used:

"One Up, One Down" -- Where the Melody note is in between the two harmony notes, either following the Triad dicatated by the chord at that time in the song, or perhaps generated by a certain Melody in a "Linear" harmony. This is the most commonly used vocal harmony.

"Two Up" -- Melody is on the bottom, with two harmony notes above it.

"Two Down" -- Just the opposite, Melody on top, two harmnoy notes below it.


--Mac