Barbershop Style

Barbershop singing is an American musical form that began in the 19th century. It grew out of the casual harmonized singing which went on in one of the places men tended to gather informally: the barbershop. From such roots, barbershop singing has developed into a distinctive and strict musical style, in which three unaccompanied voices harmonize to a melody. Click here to learn how barbershop was "invented."

Finding the right part for your voice is the initial step. Any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits his/her range.

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.

A distinctive element of barbershop harmony is the phenomenon of expanded sound, called "ringing a chord." Singers create this thrilling musical effect when the four voices reinforce each other to produce audible overtones-a sort of "fifth voice." 

While virtually any song can be arranged in barbershop style, those that lend themselves particularly well to this style of harmonization date from the heyday of Tin Pan Alley (about 1890-1920). Songs of that era, written to be singable by people with average vocal ranges and skills, feature lyrics which celebrate simple, heartfelt emotions- which is why so many barbershop songs tell of young love, Mother, and nostalgia for days gone by.