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| The Voice Parts Barbershop harmony is vocal harmony produced by four parts: tenor, lead, baritone, and bass. It is different from any other kind of choral or group singing. |
TENOR: a harmony part sung
consistently above the lead.
It should not be confused with
soprano of traditional singing.
The tenor should have a
light, sweet, pure tone that
will compliment, but not
overpower the lead voice.
consistently above the lead.
It should not be confused with
soprano of traditional singing.
The tenor should have a
light, sweet, pure tone that
will compliment, but not
overpower the lead voice.
BARITONE: covers
approximately the same range
as the lead. The baritone
harmony notes are sung
mostly below, but sometimes
above, the lead. Baritones
must consistently adjust their
balance to accommodate their
position in the chord.
approximately the same range
as the lead. The baritone
harmony notes are sung
mostly below, but sometimes
above, the lead. Baritones
must consistently adjust their
balance to accommodate their
position in the chord.
LEAD: is the melody and is sung in
the range between A below middle C
and C above middle C.
the range between A below middle C
and C above middle C.
BASS: singers should have a rich
mellow voice and be able to sing the E
flat below middle C easily. Basses
should not be confused with the alto of
conventional groups. Many altos can
sing the bass part, but others are
much better suited to lead or baritone,
depending on their range and vocal
quality.
mellow voice and be able to sing the E
flat below middle C easily. Basses
should not be confused with the alto of
conventional groups. Many altos can
sing the bass part, but others are
much better suited to lead or baritone,
depending on their range and vocal
quality.
When barbershoppers get together, they do what comes naturally - sing! However, they may not all know the same song. So we commonly learn the last few lines of a song
(referred to as a tag). This part of the song normally contains very interest chord progressions that are a lot of fun to sing. Here's a tag for you to have fun with.
(referred to as a tag). This part of the song normally contains very interest chord progressions that are a lot of fun to sing. Here's a tag for you to have fun with.
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From the “bottom up,” the four voices of barbershop harmony
are bass, baritone, lead, and tenor. The female bass sings in
the male tenor range, the baritone and lead are roughly in the
alto range, and the tenor is in the soprano range. The melody
is usually sung by the leads. Basses generally provide the root
of the chord. Tenors add the “natural harmony,” and baritones
take what’s left over to complete the chord. (Of course, this
takes a highly talented person with a superior ear, as any
baritone can tell you!) A good soprano is not always a good
barbershop tenor. In a choir, the soprano assumes the “take
charge” role and everyone blends with her. In barbershop, the
feisty lead takes this role, and tenors must harmonize with her!
Also, many sopranos have been trained to add color and
warmth to their voices through the use of vibrato, which is
undesirable in barbershop.
are bass, baritone, lead, and tenor. The female bass sings in
the male tenor range, the baritone and lead are roughly in the
alto range, and the tenor is in the soprano range. The melody
is usually sung by the leads. Basses generally provide the root
of the chord. Tenors add the “natural harmony,” and baritones
take what’s left over to complete the chord. (Of course, this
takes a highly talented person with a superior ear, as any
baritone can tell you!) A good soprano is not always a good
barbershop tenor. In a choir, the soprano assumes the “take
charge” role and everyone blends with her. In barbershop, the
feisty lead takes this role, and tenors must harmonize with her!
Also, many sopranos have been trained to add color and
warmth to their voices through the use of vibrato, which is
undesirable in barbershop.
| 1st place - Best Small Chorus in Region 3 May 5, 2012 |
| Welcome to Prairie Echoes Chorus Master Director Donna Bates Rehearsal Information: Tuesdays 7:30 - 10:00 pm 900 Normal Road DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Contact Information: Post Office Box 139 DeKalb, IL 60115 Telephone: 1-815-761-5956 chorusjunkie4life@hotmail.com |
We are available to perform
for your special occasion at
anytime during the year.
for your special occasion at
anytime during the year.
Speaking of Vibrato . . .
Barbershoppers work hard to keep this to a minimum, since
chords cannot “lock” if voices are varying in pitch at different
speeds. A slight vibrato or a tone produced with “color” is
desirable in the lead voice; however, all other voices should
strive to produce a clear tone without vibrato. (Good breath
support helps here).
Barbershoppers work hard to keep this to a minimum, since
chords cannot “lock” if voices are varying in pitch at different
speeds. A slight vibrato or a tone produced with “color” is
desirable in the lead voice; however, all other voices should
strive to produce a clear tone without vibrato. (Good breath
support helps here).
We’re All In This Together
There are no soloists in barbershop harmony, so blending is
the name of the game! Individual voices should not be
discernible. If you can’t hear the people around you, back off
the volume a little; you may be too loud! A successful
barbershopper must listen to those around her, since we
have no instrumental accompaniment to cover any discord.
There are no soloists in barbershop harmony, so blending is
the name of the game! Individual voices should not be
discernible. If you can’t hear the people around you, back off
the volume a little; you may be too loud! A successful
barbershopper must listen to those around her, since we
have no instrumental accompaniment to cover any discord.
Coning
You probably sing high notes lightly and broaden the tone as you go lower into your range. A
barbershop chorus strives to form a similar “sound cone.” (Picture the familiar food group
pyramid with grains on the bottom, fruits/vegetables next, then meats, and finally fats. I’m not
suggesting that tenors are fat, or that we need six servings of basses daily, but the theory is the
same.
You probably sing high notes lightly and broaden the tone as you go lower into your range. A
barbershop chorus strives to form a similar “sound cone.” (Picture the familiar food group
pyramid with grains on the bottom, fruits/vegetables next, then meats, and finally fats. I’m not
suggesting that tenors are fat, or that we need six servings of basses daily, but the theory is the
same.
The basses at the bottom of the cone provide a broad foundation. Baritones are next on the
cone, but must remember to “lighten” when they occasionally sing above the leads. Similarly,
leads must “broaden” when they go below the baritones. Both baritones and leads will do a lot
of mixing of “head voices” and “chest voices” as they sing in the middle register (the A below
middle C and the C above middle C). If you are unfamiliar with these terms, don’t worry; you’ll
hear more. Tenors need to be “light”; a “heavy” tenor might be better suited to the lead section
if she has the range.The basses at the bottom of the cone provide a broad foundation.
Baritones are next on the cone, but must remember to “lighten” when they occasionally sing
above the leads. Similarly, leads must “broaden” when they go below the baritones. Both
baritones and leads will do a lot of mixing of “head voices” and “chest voices” as they sing in the
middle register (the A below middle C and the C above middle C). If you are unfamiliar with
these terms, don’t worry; you’ll hear more. Tenors need to be “light”; a “heavy” tenor might be
better suited to the lead section if she has the range.
When the director asks tenors to back off, basses to come out, etc., she is trying to achieve the
proper balance according to the cone.
(Parts taken from an article written by Susan Matlock)
cone, but must remember to “lighten” when they occasionally sing above the leads. Similarly,
leads must “broaden” when they go below the baritones. Both baritones and leads will do a lot
of mixing of “head voices” and “chest voices” as they sing in the middle register (the A below
middle C and the C above middle C). If you are unfamiliar with these terms, don’t worry; you’ll
hear more. Tenors need to be “light”; a “heavy” tenor might be better suited to the lead section
if she has the range.The basses at the bottom of the cone provide a broad foundation.
Baritones are next on the cone, but must remember to “lighten” when they occasionally sing
above the leads. Similarly, leads must “broaden” when they go below the baritones. Both
baritones and leads will do a lot of mixing of “head voices” and “chest voices” as they sing in the
middle register (the A below middle C and the C above middle C). If you are unfamiliar with
these terms, don’t worry; you’ll hear more. Tenors need to be “light”; a “heavy” tenor might be
better suited to the lead section if she has the range.
When the director asks tenors to back off, basses to come out, etc., she is trying to achieve the
proper balance according to the cone.
(Parts taken from an article written by Susan Matlock)
| For more Information call: 815-761-5956 EMAIL: chorusjunkie4life@hotmail.com |
Our organization is divided into regions. The Prairie Echoes is part of the
Lake Michigan Region 3, which includes parts of Michigan, Indiana and
Illinois.
Lake Michigan Region 3, which includes parts of Michigan, Indiana and
Illinois.
Prairie Echoes Chorus is part of Sweet Adelines International, a large worldwide organization made
up of nearly 27,000 women from all walks of life who share the love of barbershop harmony. The organization
encompasses more than 1200 registered quartets and 600 choruses.
up of nearly 27,000 women from all walks of life who share the love of barbershop harmony. The organization
encompasses more than 1200 registered quartets and 600 choruses.
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