Parts

Nowadays both male and female barbershop choruses have the following four musical parts:

LEAD sings the melody. It is usually the second highest voice and must be strong and clear with register a-c2.

BASS sings the lowest and provides the bass note for each chord. The voice must be full and deep. The female bass must be able to sing the small octave effortlessly.

TENOR provides harmony above the lead voice. It must be clear, melodic and pure, but usually subservient to the lead voice. The tenor differs from the first-soprano in having a lighter, flute-like sound.

BARITONE completes the barbershop sound by moving both above and below the lead. Its range is similar to that of the lead.