Barbershop is a style of arranging in close, four part, a cappella harmony; it is not an era, style of music, or genre. The melody is usually in the second voice with harmony above and below. The arranger harmonizes every melody note with few passing tones or doubles, and creates more harmonic movement by adding secondary dominant chord progressions. The baritone part functions in a unique way, filling in the missing note of each chord.
Tenor is the highest part, harmonizing above the Lead. Notated in the top stave, Tenor stems always point up. Tenor singers should have a light, lyric vocal quality. Male tenors usually sing this part in falsetto, and should be approximately 10% of the sound. This is radically different than most musical performance styles, because the melody is NOT in this top voice.
Lead is the second highest part, singing the melody. Notated in the top stave, Lead stems always point down. Lead singers should be prominent and have a dramatic and compelling vocal quality, and should be approximately 30% of the sound. This is different than most musical performance styles, because the melody is in the second voice down. This “melody from inside” gives us the characteristic barbershop sound.
Baritone sings above and below the Lead. Notated in the bottom stave, Baritone stems always point up. Baritone singers should have a lyric vocal quality, and should be approximately 20% of the sound. The baritone should sing louder when below the lead, and softer when above the lead. The unusual voice leading can be very challenging, especially to the novice barbershop Baritone.
Bass is the lowest part, singing foundational notes. Notated in the bottom stave, Bass stems always point down. The Bass part should be as prominent as the Lead, with a big, robust vocal quality, and should be approximately 40% of the sound.
