Music for Barbershop Harmony
The barbershop quartet is a cappella vocal harmony. This means that the four voices of the group blend together to create chords, without the accompaniment of instruments, other than their own voices. Most of the chords that are created in these groups are homophonic, or blended.
In barbershop music, the four voices generally have their own role. The melody is song by the lead singer. The tenor voice sings in harmony above the melody. The lowest notes are son by the bass voice and the baritone, generally below the melody voice, is the voice that completes the chords.
According to theBarbershop Harmony Society, the songs that are sung in barbershop music have lyrics that are clearly understood. The melodies are easy to sing and the tones demonstrate both major and minor chords.
Generally slower songs, such as ballads, bring out the characteristics that are looked for in Barbershop music. Songs such as “Down By The Old Mill Stream,” or “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” are good examples of this. Others include “My Wild Irish Rose,” “Sweet Adeline,” or “Wait ‘Til The Sun Shines Nellie.”
Songs can also use a faster tempo to show the skill and vocal dexterity of the artists that are vocalizing. Examples of songs such as these include “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby.”
The tempo of these songs can also come to a sudden tempo shift to show variations in the chords more clearly. Even though these songs are the songs used traditionally in barbershop harmony, almost any contemporary song can be sung in this style. To help attract audiences of all ages many quartets will use songs such as show tunes, pop or rock to gain popularity. Many of these songs can be arranged specifically for this kind of artist.
Popular culture
Many movies, stage performances or television shows have used barbershop quartets as part of their presentation. “The Music Man” by Meredith Willson had a barbershop quartet sing “Lida Rose.” Barbershop singing was also used in “Doug,” an animated television series. At times it was presented in its pure form while at other times the songs would be combines with instrumental background.
The movie, “The Haunted Mansion” used this style of singing to try to prevent a family from finding the mausoleum in the mansion. Plus in the “Griffith Show,” the sheriff drafts a prisoner to complete a quartet in one of the episodes.
The blended harmonies of barbershop quartet singing are worth taking a few minutes and enjoying, wherever it may be performed.
