A Guide to Vocal Techniques Across Genres: Part 6 of 10

 

Introduction to Barbershop Harmony Singing: The Quintessential American Sound

Disclaimer Reminder: These explanations are meant to give an overview only, and it should be understood that there is considerably more complexity and detail than what I can disseminate in this platform.

Welcome to the next installment of our series on vocal techniques across genres. After exploring styles from the grandeur of opera to the naturalistic approach of Speech Level Singing, and the bold sound of belting, we now arrive at a uniquely American form of vocal music: Barbershop Harmony Singing.

Introduction: What is Barbershop Harmony Singing?

Barbershop harmony singing, often referred to as simply 'barbershop', is a genre of a cappella music characterized by four-part harmony in homophonic texture. It may be sung with all men, all women, a mix of men and women, and any other gender identities. A barbershop quartet consists of four singers, each singing one of the parts: lead, tenor, baritone, or bass. The lead typically sings the melody, with the tenor harmonizing above the lead. The bass provides a foundation, singing the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone completes the chord with notes either above or below the lead, creating a unique, rich blend that is unmistakably barbershop. [In a barbershop chorus, the singers sing those same four parts, with several singers on each part.

Brief History of Barbershop Harmony Singing

Originating in the United States in the late 1800s, barbershop harmony singing has its roots in African-American musical traditions. It evolved from informal social singing practices where individuals would gather in barbershops and other community spaces, improvising harmonies to popular songs of the day. Over time, these improvised harmonies became codified into the distinctive four-part harmony that we know today as barbershop.

The barbershop style experienced a revival in the early 20th century, leading to the formation of the Barbershop Harmony Society in 1938. Today, barbershop remains an important part of America's musical landscape, with numerous quartets and choruses performing and competing at a high level both nationally and internationally.

Key Features of Barbershop Harmony Singing

The unique sound of barbershop lies in its *four-part harmony*, where each voice part has its role in creating the characteristic barbershop chord, or the "ringing chord" as it's often referred to. This is when overtones of the four notes harmonize to create an illusion of additional notes above and below those being sung.

Barbershop harmony singing is *unaccompanied*, meaning it's performed without instrumental accompaniment. This not only demands precise tuning and blend from the singers but also gives barbershop its characteristic purity of vocal sound.

The texture of barbershop music is primarily *homophonic*, which means that the melody and the harmonizing parts move together rhythmically. The melody is clearly heard, typically carried by the lead, while the other voices provide the harmonizing backdrop.

In our upcoming posts, we'll take a closer look at the vocal techniques used in barbershop singing and how they compare to those in opera, SLS, and belting. Stay tuned!

Up Next! Here's the link to the next part 2 of 10 in the series: Vocal Techniques for Barbershop Quartet Singing: The Art of Harmony

Copyright © 2023, Ted's Voice Academy. All rights reserved.

This website and its content is protected by copyright. The content of this website may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published, or adapted in any way without the prior written permission of Ted's Voice Academy.

Some parts of this blog may have been assisted with AI, such as ChatGPT and/or Google Bard.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Guide to Vocal Techniques Across Genres: Part 10 of 10

Image
  Conclusion and Next Steps: Charting Your Course in the World of Singing Disclaimer Reminder: These explanations are meant to give an overview only, and it should be understood that there is considerably more complexity and detail than what I can disseminate in this platform. As we draw the curtains on this enlightening exploration of vocal techniques across diverse genres, it's time to revisit the key insights we've gained, the importance of practice and understanding, and a roadmap for your continuous journey towards vocal mastery. Recap of Key Points From Each Post Each singing genre—opera, speech-level singing, belting, and barbershop harmony—brings its unique vocal techniques, demands, and nuances. Opera requires a more formal and powerful approach with deep breath support, round vowels, and an open throat, resulting in rich resonance. Speech-level singing leans on natural, effortless singing that mimics our speaking voice, while belting calls for a reinforced mix to hit ...
Read more

Singing Secrets Revealed: The Truth Behind Diaphragmatic Breath Support

Image
  Diaphragmatic Breath Support is a concept frequently mentioned in the vocal pedagogy and singing community, although its name can be misleading for those first learning about the anatomy of singing. The term refers to a specific technique of breath control that provides optimal conditions for producing sound. This concept promotes efficient and healthy singing by utilizing various muscles that aid in breath management. In passive breathing, the diaphragm—a large dome-shaped muscle separating the chest and abdomen—plays a critical role. When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, allowing your lungs to fill with air. When you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its dome shape, expelling air from your lungs. When singing, however, the process is slightly different. Although we can't control the diaphragm directly (it operates involuntarily), we can influence its behavior indirectly by coordinating the muscles that surround it, namely the intercostals (muscles be...
Read more

A Guide to Vocal Techniques Across Genres: Part 7 of 10

Image
  Vocal Techniques for Barbershop Quartet Singing: The Art of Harmony Disclaimer Reminder: These explanations are meant to give an overview only, and it should be understood that there is considerably more complexity and detail than what I can disseminate in this platform. As we continue our journey through the vocal techniques across genres, we have arrived at an intriguing destination – the world of Barbershop Quartet Singing. [Note: Barbershop Chorus singing will be explored in Blog Post 8 of the series.] This style calls for a unique blend of personal proficiency, harmony, and the ability to tune with others. Today, we dive deeper into the subtleties of this genre and explore how to hone the required skills. Introduction: The Unique Demands of Quartet Singing Barbershop Quartet Singing is a special form of vocal ensemble. Each of the four singers — the lead, tenor, baritone, and bass — plays a critical role in creating the overall sound. The genre's success relies on the indivi...
Read more