Barbershop music is performed by a musical quartet known as a barbershop quartet. This type of music dates back to the 1600s, and it arose from casual gatherings of friends in barbershops and other public places, as you might expect. Barbershop music has long been associated with the black community in the United States; barbershop performers were frequently seen on the vaudeville circuit, at least until the invention of radio made such live performances less common.
Barbershop music is distinguished by its four-part harmony, which is typically led by the second tenor and accompanied by a baritone, a bass, and the first tenor. Barbershop music has a distinct tone, a standard meter, and a well-balanced harmonic form; in layman’s terms, it just sounds nice, if a little old-fashioned to some. Barbershop music’s complex harmonies necessitate skilled vocal performances, and the four parts lend themselves well to groups of four singers, which is why the barbershop quartet is so popular.
Barbershop quartets have traditionally dressed up as exaggerated dandies, complete with matching suits, straw hats, and bold ties. In an homage to the history of this musical form, they usually dress in matching outfits, with the barbershop quartet members frequently sporting ludicrous mustaches. Women are welcome to join barbershop quartets, and some all-female groups refer to themselves as “beauty shop quartets” in a playful nod to the traditional barbershop quartet.
The ringing chord is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of barbershop music. The ringing chord is a special vocal effect that occurs when four voices harmonize perfectly with one another, creating the illusion of a fifth singer. The ringing chord can sound ethereal and is instantly recognizable; most barbershop groups strive for it and are justifiably proud when they succeed.
Barbershop quartets were very popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and some quartets became quite famous. With the introduction of radio, however, the demand for live performances began to decline, and many quartets found themselves out of work. People became concerned in the late 1930s that this unique musical form would be lost forever, so they started a barbershop revival to promote its preservation and performance. Members of a barbershop quartet frequently join a revival association to network with other musicians who share their interests.