WHAT IS IT?
Barbershop vocal harmony is a style of unaccompanied vocal music, a cappella singing, characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note. Each of the four parts has its own role.
ORIGINS IN THE USA
Barbershop singing originated in the USA when men waiting in line for a haircut would sing together, making harmony by ear rather than reading sheet music. Since those days it has grown into a huge and widespread hobby reaching a very high standard.
The old image of four men in straw boaters and waistcoats is way out of date. Now there are also ladies’ and youth choruses, many of who compete internationally each year to win the coveted ‘Gold Medal’.
lead tenor bass bariton
THE FOUR VOICES
Due to its male origins, we traditionally name the voice parts in women’s barbershop the same as the men, so instead of ‘Soprano’, the highest voice is ‘Tenor’, then the ‘ Lead’ sings the melody line, the ‘Baritone’ sings the next lowest part and the ‘Bass’ sings the bottom notes.
the lead sings the melody,
the tenor harmonizes above the melody,
the bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes,
the baritone completes the chord, usually below the lead.
MEN OR WOMEN?
Barbershop singing is a style of music normally sung by either women or men. Choruses tend to be single sex not mixed as in choirs.The chords in the music are close together so do not require the bass and soprano to be so far apart in range.