Barbershop quartet singing is an American style of harmony using four voices. In barbershop music, the four voices form a complete four-part chord on almost every note. Groups usually sing a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment).
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The parts in barbershop harmony are, from highest to lowest, tenor, lead, baritone, and bass. In most choral singing, the melody is sung by the highest voice. But in barbershop groups, the melody is sung by the lead, the second highest voice. The four singers listen carefully to each other, minutely adjusting the pitch of their voices to create perfect tuning on each chord. These small adjustments along with matched vowel sounds and proper balance of the four parts create the unique blend of voices that is the distinctive characteristic of barbershop singing. Choruses also sing barbershop harmonies. In choral singing, groups sing the four parts.
Barbershop music as it is sung today began in the late 1800’s, and often centered in community barbershops. The term barbershop harmony became well known after the success of the song “Play That Barbershop Chord” in 1910. Barbershop quartets made many popular early recordings of songs and became a feature in vaudeville shows.
During its early history, barbershop singing was performed almost entirely by men. Today, both men and women participate. The Barbershop Harmony Society, also known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), is an international organization for male barbershop singing founded in 1938. Similar groups for women are Sweet Adelines International (1947) and Harmony, Inc. (1959).
