What is Barbershop singing?
| Type of post: | Chorus news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | Gaynor Pawley |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Thu, 19 Jan 2023 |
Many people think of men in striped blazers with straw hats on when they think about Barbershop music. I know I did when I received a Christmas present for a GEM six week course to learn how to sing with this amazing Barbershop Harmony Chorus.
How wrong was I !!!
Barbershop singing has likely existed as an art form since the 1700s, but American barbershop music enjoyed a notable wave of popularity in the mid-twentieth century. Samuel Pepys, a seventeenth-century English politician described Barbershop as the era where social gathering spots were popular, a tradition that continues into the present day.
This is definitely true of GEM Connection; we are a very social bunch and when we go on trips are always looking for steps or a spot to gather and burst into song.
We sing in four part harmony which are made up of
We sing a cappella, or without instrumental accompaniment, using these four parts to produce ringing chords and powerful overtones (typically octaves and fifths). This will sound very technical so some, and I thought that to start with, but there is nothing to fear. To more experienced singers this may sound like a new challenge.
GEM are part of LABBS Ladies Association of Barbershop Singers who have over 50 Choruses registered with thousands of members. Each year there is a convention packed full of competition from quartets to the full choruses; and is a fabulous event so show off the arrangements GEM have been working hard on during the year.
So if you think you have what it takes to become a beautiful Barbershopper please get in touch and come along to hear for yourself.
Gaynor Pawley
How wrong was I !!!
Barbershop singing has likely existed as an art form since the 1700s, but American barbershop music enjoyed a notable wave of popularity in the mid-twentieth century. Samuel Pepys, a seventeenth-century English politician described Barbershop as the era where social gathering spots were popular, a tradition that continues into the present day.
This is definitely true of GEM Connection; we are a very social bunch and when we go on trips are always looking for steps or a spot to gather and burst into song.
We sing in four part harmony which are made up of
- Lead: sings the melody, with others harmonizing around them.
- Tenor: harmonizes above the lead.
- Baritone: harmonizes below and above the lead.
- Bass: has the deepest voice among barbershop singers and voices the lowest note in a barbershop chord.
We sing a cappella, or without instrumental accompaniment, using these four parts to produce ringing chords and powerful overtones (typically octaves and fifths). This will sound very technical so some, and I thought that to start with, but there is nothing to fear. To more experienced singers this may sound like a new challenge.
GEM are part of LABBS Ladies Association of Barbershop Singers who have over 50 Choruses registered with thousands of members. Each year there is a convention packed full of competition from quartets to the full choruses; and is a fabulous event so show off the arrangements GEM have been working hard on during the year.
So if you think you have what it takes to become a beautiful Barbershopper please get in touch and come along to hear for yourself.
Gaynor Pawley
