What is barbershop?

Barbershop harmony is four-part, unaccompanied, close-harmony singing, with melody in the second voice, called the "lead."  It 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 the soprano of conventional singing groups. 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 cross the lead notes, sometimes sung below and sometimes above. Bass singers should have a rich, mellow voice and be able to sing the E flat below middle C easily. Bass should not be confused with the alto of conventional groups.

 

Barbershop music features songs with understandable lyrics and easily singable melodies. The basic song and its harmonization are embellished by the arranger to provide support of the song's theme and to close the song effectively. Barbershop singers adjust pitches to achieve perfectly tuned. Artistic singing in the Barbershop style exhibits a fullness or expansion of sound, precise intonation and a high level of unity and consistency within the ensemble. It uses appropriate musical and visual methods to convey the theme of the song and provide the audience with an entertaining experience. The musical and visual delivery is from the heart, believable, and sensitive to the song and its arrangement throughout. Ideally, these elements are natural, unmanufactured and free from apparent effort. 

 

History of Sweet Adelines International

After World War II, barbershop singing was growing increasingly popular for men. In 1945, a small group of women wanted to participate in the chord-ringing, fun-filled harmony that the men were singing. So these women organized "Sweet Adelines in America." From its humble beginnings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sweet Adelines International, as it is now called, has grown to a membership of almost 28,000 women in countries all across the globe.

 

Pitch Pipe Magazine

If you want to stay informed of the all the happenings of the female barbershop music scene, subscribe to Pitch Pipe, which is put out by Sweet Adelines International each quarter. It's full of news, reviews, and previews of coming events and competitions.