4- Part A Cappella Harmony

What is Barbershop?

Source (in part): Sweet Adelines International Website

Simply:

  • 4-part a cappella harmony, with amazing chords,

  • created by Lead, Tenor, Baritone and Bass voices. Any woman of average singing ability, with or without training, will find a part to fit her range.

  • one of the most rewarding accomplishments of a vocal ensemble.

The Basics You Need:  

Willingness and ability to

  • Sing - in tune

  • Listen - hear those around you

  • Blend - your voice with others (not a solo sport)

  • Hold your own - when surrounded by those who sing a different part

  • Vocal Health - take time to do a vocal warm-up routine at home before rehearsal - good vocal practice

  • Practice - time on songs at home, between rehearsals, good for your voice and leads to improvement

  • Learn - Barbershop singing is a skill you’ll learn and we will help you!

The Barbershop Details (for inquiring singing minds!)

Voice Parts

When you first come to a PAC rehearsal, our director will take you aside and ‘voice place’ you. If you’ve sung barbershop before, of course you can sing the part you’re most comfortable with. If you haven’t, this is an opportunity for you and the director to discuss the four parts.

In simple terms, barbershop harmony is vocal harmony produce in four parts: lead, tenor, baritone, and bass. It is different from any other kind of choral or group singing. Finding the right part for your voice is the initial step.

Lead is the melody and is sung in the range between A below middle C, and C above middle C.

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

Baritone covers approximately the same range as lead. The baritone harmony notes cross the lead notes; sometimes sung below and sometimes above. Baritones must constantly adjust their balance to accommodate their position in the chord.

Bass singers should have a rich, mellow voice and be able to sing the E flat below middle C easily. Basses should not be confused with the alto of conventional groups. Many altos can sing the bass part, but others are much better suited to lead or baritone, depending on range and vocal quality.

Barbershop Performance Criteria

Barbershop music has four parts – no more, no less. The music has melodies that are easily remembered.

Barbershop harmonic structure is characterized by:

  • A strong bass line

  • Melody in an internal part

  • Complete chords with very few non-chord tones

  • Mostly major triads, dominant 7th chords and dominant 9th chords with other chords used in passing as demanded by the implied harmony

  • Traditional harmonic movement and resolutions.

  • Rhythmic interest as an important and vital part of an uptune.

  • Clear, recognizable form

  • Lyrics that are clear and understandable

Barbershop is challenging to perform because:

  • It requires good vocal skill and is usually sung by amateur singers.

  • All chords must be heard with clarity requiring singers to sing precise intervals.

  • Properly tuned barbershop chords are congruent with the physics of sound.

  • Energy and physical involvement are required from the singer in a degree of intensity not usually found in other choral forms.

  • The artistic potential is unlimited since we are not bound by the printed page.

  • It is emotionally satisfying to both the listener and performer.

  • You can’t do it alone!