What Is Barbershop Harmony?
Barbershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied singing in which three voices harmonize to a melody. Each quartet or chorus is made up of four voice parts called tenor, lead, baritone and bass. While the lead usually sings the melody line, the tenor (counter-tenor voice) harmonizes above the melody. The bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone provides in-between notes, either above or below the lead, completing the chords that give barbershop singing its distinctive four-part sound. The style is further identified by the use of chords that are pleasing or harmonious. Tuning is as nearly perfect as is vocally possible. The style is distinguished by uniformity of word sounds and a special emphasis on close harmony. A few important characteristics… • The Barbershop 7th gives a distinctive richness to the musical sound. The music is characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note, featuring major and minor chords with the barbershop (dominant-type) seve
