Four part harmony is a term that describes music written for four voices or four instruments. Each voice or instrument sings a different note, which combines to form music based on changing chords. The melody is often provided by the first voice, or first instrument, and each additional member of the chorus or quartet provides harmony and counter-melody through their parts.
Soprano, alto, tenor, and base are the vocal parts that make up four-part harmony. Women usually sing the soprano and alto parts, while men usually sing the tenor and bass parts. While one voice carries the melody, each voice sings a different note of the music’s supporting chords. Although some parts of the music may be written in unison, the majority of the notes will be different.
Though many traditional harmonies can be divided in this way, the music used is not limited to these divisions. This type of music is frequently sung by all-female and all-male groups. One well-known example of an all-male group performing four-part harmony is a barbershop quartet. Tenor, countertenor, baritone, and bass are the parts in this type of group, with the tenor voice carrying the melody. The group’s leader will frequently begin by sounding a pitch pipe to provide each singer with his or her first note. The vocalists can then perform the music without the use of instruments, a cappella.
This type of music can also be performed solely by instruments. When a quartet of identical or similar instruments is divided into a group of musicians, it is frequently a quartet of identical or similar instruments. A string quartet, for example, could be made up of four violins, or it could include a cello. Similarly, four woodwind or brass instruments could be grouped together. This type of musical division can also be found in orchestral arrangements, where the four parts of a larger arrangement are divided into one group of instruments for a specific section.
Each instrument in the quartet plays notes that are different from the others and will read from a piece of music that is specifically marked for that part. The first part, which is usually marked for First Violin or First Chair, usually plays the melody. The players usually take their seats from left to right, depending on the role they will play. The first part is frequently assigned to the most experienced or talented musician, and it may include more difficult rhythms than the other musical pieces.