What is barbershop harmony?

Barbershop harmony is four-part, a capella, style of singing.  While it has historical significance in its style of music, choruses all over the world are enjoying this style of music through songs of all kinds.  Arrangers are always looking for a contemporary song to add to their collection of arrangements.

The melody is in the second voice, called the "lead", and is sung in the range between A below middle C, and C above middle C.  This part is comparable to the range sung by a second soprano.  But since it is always the melody, it is produced with much more strength.

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

Baritone covers approximately the same range as lead. The baritone harmony notes surround the lead notes; sometimes sung below and sometimes above.  This part would compare to first alto, although the harmony is quite different.

Bass singers should have a rich, mellow voice and be able to sing the from F above middle C to C below middle C.  The range is comparable to the 2nd Alto, but the harmony is quite different in style.

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© 2012 Queen City Sound Chorus