Barbershop Music

Barbershop harmony's four voice parts are still called by their traditional names - tenor, lead, baritone and bass - whether referring to men or women's vocal groups. One of the distinctive qualities of barbershop harmony is that the melody, sung by lead voice, is below the tenor harmony. This follows the pattern of many early American hymns written for men and women, with the melody in the male tenor voice and the women singing harmony above. The barbershop harmony of today is stylized art form requiring the same high degree of singing skill as other types of choral music.

As the popularity of barbershop harmony has grown, so has the type of participation. Barbershop singing is no longer restricted to male quartets; there are many women's quartets, and both men's and women's choruses now enjoy this unique art form. Choruses ranging in size from 20 to 150 or more members have found this singing style a challenging and exciting musical experience.

What is Barbershop?

In simple terms, barbershop harmony is vocal harmony produced by four parts: lead, tenor, baritone and bass. It is different from any other kind of choral or group singing.

Lead: The lead is the melody line and is sung in the range between A below middle C and C above middle C.

Tenor: The tenor provides the harmony part sung consistently above the lead. Although tenor is the highest voice in barbershop harmony, it should not confused with the soprano of conventional singing groups, The tenor should have a light, sweet pure tone that will compliment but not overpower the lead voice.

Baritone: The baritone voice covers approximately the same range as the lead. The baritone harmony notes cross the lead notes - sometimes sung below, sometimes sung above.

Bass: The bass singer should have a rich mellow voice and be able to sing the E flat below middle C easily. Bass should not be confused with the alto of conventional groups.

Four-part harmony, barbershop style, has unique characteristics that contribute to the thrilling "lock-and-ring" sound, which results when the music is sung with skill and energy.