"How much can you do with two voices? You can sing thirds or you can sing fifths or you can do a background harmony"

This quote by Paul Simon talks to the power of 2 voices. He is recommending that with 2 voices, you can create a range of musical sounds. Singing thirds and fifths are two of the most common consistencies used in music. Singing thirds is when two voices sing the exact same melody however one voice is singing a note that is 3 notes higher than the other. Singing fifths is when 2 voices sing the same tune however one voice is singing a note that is 5 notes greater than the other. Additionally, two voices can be utilized to create a background harmony, which is when two voices sing different notes that mix together to produce a fuller sound. Paul Simon is highlighting the potential of 2 voices and how they can be used to produce a variety of musical sounds.