Music Teacher Reacts: Bohemian Rhapsody by Pentatonix 

Never a patch. He does this live without the megaphone. According to Google, Mitch has an astounding six octave and one tone range! They never disappoint. Also their 90s dance medley is very fun

The high note in the arpeggio might actually be Kevin, he’s got a gorgeous tenor voice and can hit some absolutely ridiculous highs! It’s just rare to hear him sing so most people (me included sometimes) goes “wait, who did that?” whenever the best boxing drops out and he sings.

Thanks for recognizing Kirstie. When she doesn't have the lead, she is the glue.

So, some things to know about this cover and video: -It took PTX years to get the arrangement to where they felt they could do the original masterpiece justice. -The cover, and especially the video, was meant to be an homage to Queen. Some of the moments paying respect were: The mono-recording of the line "easy come, easy go" followed by the panning of the voices from left to right on the line "little high, little low" (which is how the original was recorded), obviously the flashlights being used to mimic the lighting on the operatic part of the original video, the four shooting stars to represent the four members of Queen, as well as acknowledge the fact that Dr. Brian May is an astrophysicist, and the overhead shot of them lying on the couch is to represent the Sheer Heart Attack album cover. -The megaphone was just a prop. It is not needed to reproduce the electric guitar distortion. -PTX can, and does, perform this live with no backing track...something even Queen and the Great Freddie Mercury could not do. -Freddy once said he didn't care what people did with his music as long as they "...don't make it boring, darling!", so I think he would absolutely approve. -The overall video--with the "living room" and couch--is an homage to Pentatonix's own journey as a group. They lost their record deal right after winning the Sing Off and moving to LA, so they started putting out videos on RU-vid, performing covers. They would sit on the couch in Kevin (beatboxer) and Avi's (bass) living room and just record themselves on Mitch's (counter tenor who took the lead on this song) iPad. Some of their earliest videos went viral and they eventually were able to secure a new deal, record an EP, go on tour, release chart-topping albums and win three Grammy awards...so they moved out of the living room and down this new, unknown road. At the end of the day, though, they're still the same choir-nerds they've always been; just happy to sit together on a couch and sing.

The Grassi Guitar does not require a megaphone. It is just a prop to draw attention to who is making the sound. I heard it done live and it was EPIC! Mitch might be the reincarnation of Freddie Mercury. Freddie died in November 1991 and Mitch was born in July 1992. He can also grow the Freddie mustache. It is so close to matching it is kinda creepy.

You can really hear Avi's classical training during the "bismillah no!!!" The bass boom and clear distinction and resonance coming from the chest is just gorgeous.

The audio panning on "little high, little low" is because that's exactly what Queen did in their official video.

For those who didn't know, Avi classically trained as a Basso Profundo and actually had an offer on the table from the Los Angeles Opera before Pentatonix was born.

Kevin is a tenor with an amazing falsetto! You're hearing him where you thought it was Scott!

Brian May is actually Dr. Brian May. He is an astrophysicist. His PhD thesis a survey of radial velocities in the zodiacal dust cloud" was published in 2007 and is a popular astronomy book of the same name. He started his research in 1970 and then stopped to run around the world in this rock band named Queen. Maybe you've heard of them maybe you haven't I had to Google them. That's sarcasm. The megaphone in a prop. Mitch does not use it in the live performances. the voice you hear when they're looking at the stars is the same voice Mitch uses with the megaphone . The shot at the sky is homage to Brian May. Brian May was so impressed with the video that he posted it on all of his social media sites. The part where Mitch is lying down on the couch and Kevin and Avi are walking beside it are to represent the pallbearers carrying Freddie's coffin . The shot at the end when they're looking up at the sky always puzzled me because there are four shooting stars and I always wondered about that because there are 5 members in PTX. I read in a comment that it's an homage to Queen because there are 4 members in Queen. At least that's how I interpret the shooting stars. The moving couch pays homage to how they started. They worked on this song for five or six years to get it where it is right now. This is a link to a live version of Bohemian Rhapsody. I think it was filmed off of somebody's phone. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-C1PelJIxHTQ.html There should be a video of them doing Bohemian Rhapsody from September 29th at the Hollywood Bowl. Check out PTX official or tea time with Travis and it'll be on either one of those There's also a recent live version from Budapest I think. I just don't remember the name of the city but I'm pretty sure it's Budapest.

That high voice could also be Kevin

Great reaction 👏. Major tribute to Queen. When they pan to the stars, the four shooting stars are for the four members of Queen and for Brian May who got his degree in astrophysics. They nailed this!

from what I've heard, they worked for 5 years on this, just to get it perfect and pay True Homage to Queen!

Actually, that voice you heard in the rafters was Kevin. He's got a wonderful tenor throughout the range and a fantastic falsetto when needed.

When i saw them in 2018, Mitch did this without the megaphone and it sounded the same.

The making of evergreen gives some amazing insights into how detail oriented they are, all the way down to changing Earth to nerth, to make things flow better.

There was no patch effect on Mitch’s voice. He doesn’t need it.

You noticed the split at 1:20 , that was also in Queen's Night At The Opera (all words capitalized on the album cover) album. So they were trying to replicate it as closely as possible to the original, even vocally replicating the instrumentation. Yes, that was Rockappella.

The megaphone is a prop. You HAVE to see it live! As always, Mitch is AMAZING!!

The early pan of sound from left to right is paying homage to the original video by Queen who did the same thing. Great reaction. This is such a cool cover that I never tire of listening to and watching.

The shooting stars at the end are a representation of the 4 members of Queen, and also it’s a nod to Dr. Brian May, who is an astrophysicist.

The stereo thing is actually a homage to the original version. When Queen first recorded this stereo was a newish technology. That sound shift is what Queen chose to do with it. Like a lot of what Queen did it was a first.

I’ve read that they were apprehensive to do this song because they wanted to do it perfectly.

I think the beat dropped and it was Kevin singing the higher notes for a moment. He can get quite high, and I think I saw him sing for just a second?

That was a fun and informative reaction. You picked up on things I hadn't noticed before...and I've watched this video many, many times. Mitch doesn't use a megaphone during live performances. The best one is on Miles Reuben's channel from the 2022 concert at the Hollywood Bowl. There's a whole bunch of separate videos of all the songs that did at the concert on that channel if you're interested in more live performances of theirs.

Yes, that was Rockapella. They were my first exposure to acapella groups.

Mitch doesn't need the megaphone for effect. If you watch the sing off #10, he just does it naturally.

Another reactor said that Scott and Kirstie were adding to the guitar sound. BTW, I love your reactions. It is great that you give us the “why’s and how’s they sound the way they do

When Mitch does Brian May's solo with the bullhorn, the bullhorn is just a prop. They are, visually, recreating a shot similar to the one you see in Queen's official video of "I Want To Break Free." They pay homage to many of Queen's videos and album covers throughout this video.

Mitch makes that exact sound on stage without the megaphone prop

Great video editing too. Did you notice how Kirstie jumped on the couch "wearing" those platform sandals? While she said before she "was born with heels," I think that action is just too good to be true

Sometimes Kevin who is also a tenor can go really high too. But yes Scott can get way up there!

You're right, it was Rockapella. I'm so excited that somebody else actually remembers these guys! I was a huge fan and I had cassette tapes rather than CDs, that says how long ago that was, and listened to them all the time.

wonderful reaction....I love this version....I have listened to it many, many, times, and it is still so impressive to me. I hear new things everytime.

i grew up with rockapella, my music teacher used to show their performances in class

Don't forget that Kevin's singing voice is naturally higher. He sings quite high. He needs to be recognized.

I believe those high notes came from Kevin. Recommend their cover of My Favorite Things.

Love this reaction! I’ve actually seen Rockapella 3 times in concert (back in college). This definitely holds up. I do miss Rockapella. That Scott (Leonard) is also RIDICULOUS!

The guitar sound is a very simple distortion added through the mike, which is why they can do it live. During their first performance at the Hollywood Bowl, he does not have the distortion, and it's noticable. It was one of (if not the one) earliest live performances of the song, and they were still tweaking it.

No patch. In live performances he does not use the megaphone and it sounds the same.

Almost total perfection. Have you tried any songs from Avi Kaplan? Amazing. If you play Avi they will come.

Home Free has a short of this which is AWESOME!! Would love to hear them do a full version! Great reaction

YES< this is why you use earphones for ALL their songs. Actually I believe it was Kirstie up there. And yes, Mitch is the reincarnated Freddy. Kevin is a MAD MAN on the beatboxing!!! Love it !! The last line of the song "any way the wind blows" just screams for the wind sounds that Kevin was making. EPIC !!! one of my favorites.

I'm pretty sure the higher male voice you were asking about was actually Kevin. He has a very high range that you don't see very often because he doesn't usually sing. Mary, Did you know is a good song to hear his voice clearly. Imagine gives him a main part as well.

Definitely watch it live. It sounds almost exactly the same. But that megaphone is just a prop. He does that guitar solo sounding just like that.

It’s always so fun to join you for a PTX song! I love how tickled you got at Mitch’s guitar, and now this is the second time this week that someone has reminded me of Rockapella. Weird, but not unwelcome. You’re right, Scott has an amazing range. His high notes are fully on display in his recent solo release of Mars, and even more highlighted in the a cappella snippet of the song he posted as the Mars Now Available Everywhere teaser on his channel. He’s getting married this weekend, so the timing would be good for a reaction (blatant hint). Kirstie just keeps getting better and better, imho. Love Me When I Don’t is an original where she shines. Loved your reaction, as always. Peace … Oh yeah, the left-right stereo bounce was from Queen’s original recording. Homage in action …

PLEASE watch their cover of Gold. If you don’t know the song…watch the original by Kiara first. You’ll truly appreciate their talent in it because it’s a one take.

The 2 vs 4 feel you mentioned in the heavier part . . . Kevin! Like a good drummer who can play right on the beat on one drum while playing a little behind or ahead of the beat on another drum, at the same time, Kevin is doing that with his voice. That gives it that push-pull feel that I'm hearing. I never noticed that before you mentioned the feel of the count there. Some Pentaholics my flame me for this, but they use some distortion, something similar to a guitar distortion pedal. That's what you were hearing in Mitch's "guitar solo" and it's also on the group in the heavier part.

Mitch has a 6 to 7 octave range (I've heard it) and, as far as I can tell, perfect pitch. No patch necessary.

That could have been Kevin doing the high notes.

That is all Mitch. He's incredible! I've seen it live and it is--bloody incredible. It's amazing truly, how well this group knows how to support each other.

You are SO right! Mitch can, and does, it without the visual effect and it sounds identical. Now, if you wanna hear GREAT Queen singing by PTX, please, please review their version of "Somebody to Love" which they did for an ABC one-off program. They only version out their already has a smokey filter overtop, so you don't have to mask it. It's my favorite "get going" song, every day!

Kevin can also sing "quite high"

He does it live with a mic no prop. Mitch can make many diff sounds. He does a reverb sound.

Love your commentary. I hope you check out a live version of them doing this.

Pentatonix loves "Bohemian Rhapsody," and they love Queen, so they always wanted to cover this song, but they were afraid they'd botch it, so they decided to wait until they knew they were ready. That took them five years, but it was worth the wait - they were definitely ready. In their early days, after Pentatonix lost that first recording contract and resorted to posting to RU-vid, a lot of those early videos just show the five of them sitting on a couch. The trio would be on the back of the couch, with Avi and Kevin on the seat in front of them, just five very young people singing their hearts out. They duplicate that configuration at the beginning and end of this song. The couch is moving for two reasons: 1. It's taking Pentatonix on a trip down Memory Lane. 2. The more important reason is that it's standing in for the car in _Wayne's World,_ where Garth and Wayne introduced a new generation to the wonders of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by putting a tape of it into the car's tape player. In the "Bismillah" section, note that Scott is singing with both the high and low sides of the argument. He's said that those rapid changes were the hardest part of this song for him. The starry night sky during Mitch's second guitar solo is in honor of Brian May, who has a doctorate in Astrophysics. The four shooting stars honor the four members of Queen. When the camera pans back down to show Pentatonix lying together on the couch, it's meant to recall the cover art of Queen's _"Sheer Heart Attack"_ album. And when Pentatonix released this video Brian May posted a link to it on all his social media, with a single word comment: "Enjoy."

Yes Rockapella! I loved them in Carmen Sandiego❤

If you want to hear Kevin sing and the power of Kirstens voice checks out The Prayer! Great reactions!🇨🇦

Nice reaction to this beautiful Pentatonix video. Thank you.

Can you feel the love tonight or 90's dance medley next by PTX. Thanks for sharing and stay safe.

Can you please react to Scott's live choir version of Mars? It will blow your mind. Must be the live version. You'll really hear his range. Thank you

Here's a live version of this song from PTX. Mitch doesn't need a megaphone as it is all his voice, plus the megaphone was just a prop. He doesn't use it on stage. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nMFPsouaum0.html BTW, there are a lot of videos that show Mitch's vocal ranges. Enjoy!

Live version - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nMFPsouaum0.html&ab_channel=MilesReuben

So you did notice a little bit of what Kristie did.

Queen did it first! The right left. That's what makes this a good homage. They paid attention. Yes. It is cool. Imagine how cool it was when stereo started.

PTX 🔥❤️🙌

They do this song live and it's close

They worked on this over a 5 year period, in order to get it to the point where Freddie would've respected it, and where they were completely happy with it.

One of the best reactions to this video ever. You do need to check out their live performance of this song at their September 2022 Hollywood Bowl concert. All of the performances at that concert are simply stunning. The Miles Ruben videos of the stream from this concert have the best video and audio qualify.

They are great!

There are videos that showing Mitch Grassi’s vocal range. There is even one that has Mitch as a 10th grader….

It’s not patched. I’ve seen this live. The megaphone is just a prop.

Check out their live performance at the Hollywood bowl last year. Their live performance is just as good or even better than the studio version.

Rockapella is correct! I've seen them three times - fabulous.

There is video out there with them doing this live. The megaphone is a prop. He doesn’t use it live .

The megaphone was just a prop. Mitch doesn't even use it when they do the song live.

That's all Mitch on the guitar solos. He does it live with nothing but a microphone and it sounds the same.

Your equipment is great. Most don't broadcast the sounds like that.

The guitar solo was done through an old tanoy style system that distorts voices just like that. I'm not actually sure why it worked that way, it annoyed everyone who ever heard it.

It's just the same live!

If you're hearing some really high notes that aren't Mitch's, and there's no drums at the time, don't count out Kevin's beautiful high tenor voice! He has one of the most beautiful bell sounds at the end of The Prayer that many don't credit to him! Also, there are many live videos on RU-vid of them performing this masterpiece! 💖

Great reaction! There are great live versions of this song on RU-vid. Mitch does the guitar solo live and does not use the megaphone (that was just a prop for the video) I totally agree on the PTX 'blend'. I genuinely don't think any other band in the world has that. I think it comes from having sung together for so long (in Mitch, Scott and Kirstie's case since they were children) Scott can sing very high (amazing range!) but I think the arpeggiated section is actually Kevin who Mitch has admitted has an even higher voice than him!

Please react to sesons of love ❤️ you will hear Kirsty, she's amazing 😍🤩also Say something, it's still one of my favourite with Kirsty leed 😊

Yhe it's Kevin and live you can really see it 😊

Kevin also has a very high register

The megaphone is just a prop, it’s all Mitch!

The Megaphone is only a prop

As far as I can remember, 😮, your the only one that’s said Scott is the perfect Freddy. Yet everyone else has said Mitch is the perfect Freddy. 🤔 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤷‍♀️🙏❤️🇬🇧🫣

PTX actually uses very few studio tricks to enhance their recordings. They are on record as wanting to be able to sing their works live as they were recorded

Pive your knowledge and analysis. Idk how you don't have more subs

The live version isn’t different. ❤❤❤❤

There is a video of them making this video

There awsome hehe but kirstins yep.

None... the megaphone was just for visuals...

Hope you are prepaired for this one.

They do nothing on a cd that they can’t do on stage.

They are empaths...

Looking at your background, you should react to their Star Wars Tribute they performed at the 2015 AMA Awards.