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What is barbershop?
 TuneTown Show Chorus sings 4-part a cappella music that has been arranged in the barbershop harmony style. This style is one of the few music forms that originated in the United States. Songs that are considered barbershop were written near the beginning of the 20th century or have been written to meet the specific criteria that defines barbershop.
Music is sung unaccompanied with four voice parts. Tenor, the highest part, is sung above the melody. Lead, one of the 2 middle parts, is generally the melody. Baritone, also a middle part, is harmony usually below the melody. Bass, the lowest part, is harmony sung below the melody. This wide range of voice parts offers women with high or low voices a comfortable part to sing.
Although TuneTown Show Chorus sings many songs that can be categorized as strictly barbershop, the chorus puts a contemporary spin on the traditional notion of barbershop. The chorus performs music made popular by such artists as Michael Jackson, Josh Groban, Tina Turner, Frank Sinatra, Carole King, Celine Dion, Sister Sledge, Ritchie Valens, Wynona Judd, Alabama, Gloria Estefan and Harry Connick, Jr. to name a few.
Breaking it down
In simple terms, barbershop harmony is vocal harmony produced by 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. Any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits 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.
Barbershop Definitions
Coned-shaped sound: In most singing styles, the highest voice part is normally predominant. Barbershop harmony strives for a fuller, deeper sound, featuring lower voices as well as those in the treble range. The cone shape is a visual representation of the balance of the four voice parts we strive to achieve in four-part harmony, barbershop style.
Lock and ring: The ultimate in barbershop sound, the lock and ring effect requires excellence in all phases of singing. A good musical arrangement, good vocal technique, well balanced and blended voices, and accuracy of intonation can result in the production of a fifth, unsung overtone that sends a chill up the spine! When it happens, it is a remarkable experience for both the singers and the audience.
Pick up quartets: A group of four singers (tenor, lead, baritone, and bass) who get together to sing informally. Not a registered or organized quartet.
Pitch pipe: A chromatic-scaled instrument that is used to sound a certain pitch or key tone. The ones most often used by barbershop singers are small wind instruments or electronic devices.
Tag: The final portion of a song usually contains very interesting chord progressions. Tags may be sung separately from the song, and are often used by quartets for the purpose of practicing to achieve complete chord excellence.
Tonic: The fundamental note or tone of a key; the keynote or key tone. The tonic note sounded on the pitch pipe is generally the key in which the song will be sung.
Woodshedding: Singers improvising the harmony of a song by ear. This is the very heart of singing barbershop style and is the essence of our barbershop heritage.
Barbershop Criteria
- It
has four parts - no more,
no less.
- It
has melodies that are easily
remembered.
- Barbershop
harmonic structure is characterized
by:
- a
strong bass line
- melody
in an internal part
- complete
chords without any 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
- It
has rhythmic interest as
an important and vital part
of an uptune.
- It
has clear, recognizable
form.
- It
has lyrics that are clear
and understandable.
- It is challenging to perform because:
- it
requires great 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
the performer.
- You
can't do it alone.
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