What Is Barbershop Music?
Barbershop music is a vocal harmony style typically sung by quartets (four singers), though it’s also performed by larger choruses. The hallmark of barbershop music is:
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Four parts: Lead (melody), tenor (above the melody), baritone (fills in harmonies), and bass (lowest notes).
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A cappella: No instruments—pure vocal performance.
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"Ringing chords": Perfectly tuned harmonies that create a distinctive overtone known as a "lock and ring" sound.
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Songs often focus on themes of love, nostalgia, humor, or Americana.
Origin of Barbershop Music
Early Beginnings – 17th Century
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The roots of barbershop music trace back to 17th century England, where barbershops were informal community spaces.
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Men gathered to talk, sing, and play instruments—referred to as “barber’s music.”
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English diarist Samuel Pepys even noted such gatherings in his journal.
Rise in America – 1800s to Early 1900s
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By the mid-to-late 1800s, barbershop singing took a unique American shape:
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It merged African American musical traditions (spirituals, gospel, call-and-response) with European harmony styles.
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African American quartets were pivotal in developing the expressive, improvisational barbershop sound, often performing on street corners, in churches, and at community gatherings.
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Barbershops as Cultural Hubs
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Real barber shops served as social centers—men would sing while waiting for haircuts.
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This led to the informal practice of spontaneous quartet singing, which spread rapidly.
Formalization of the Style
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In 1938, the “Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA)” was founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Owen C. Cash and Rupert Hall.
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The organization was a response to the fear that barbershop music was dying out.
Women Enter the Scene – Sweet Adelines International
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On July 13, 1945, Edna Mae Anderson gathered a group of women in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to form Sweet Adelines International—the female equivalent of SPEBSQSA.
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The group quickly grew and became the largest women’s singing organization in the world focused on barbershop harmony.
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Their founding date, July 13, later became National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day in honor of their contribution to the style.
Creation of National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
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Founded in 2005 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Sweet Adelines International.
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The day was intended to:
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Celebrate the unique musical art form.
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Raise awareness of barbershop music and its cultural importance.
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Encourage participation in local singing groups and organizations.
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How It’s Celebrated
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Live Performances: Barbershop quartets and choruses perform in concerts, barbershops, parks, and local events.
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Workshops & Competitions: Local chapters of Barbershop Harmony Society and Sweet Adelines hold public workshops and international competitions.
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Listening Parties: Fans share recordings of famous quartets like The Buffalo Bills, The Dapper Dans, or contemporary groups like Vocal Spectrum.
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Social Media Tributes: Using hashtags like #BarbershopMusicDay or #SweetAdelines to spread awareness.
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Education: Schools and music programs often highlight barbershop as a fun and accessible form of vocal music.
Global Reach
Barbershop harmony isn’t just American anymore:
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Sweet Adelines International has members in over 20 countries.
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The Barbershop Harmony Society has worldwide chapters.
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Global barbershop communities thrive in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Germany, Japan, and South Africa.
Key Facts Theme
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Date Celebrated | July 13 |
| First Observed | 2005 |
| Honors | Sweet Adelines’ 60th anniversary (founded July 13, 1945) |
| Musical Style | A cappella, 4-part harmony |
| Key Founders | Owen Cash, Rupert Hall (SPEBSQSA); Edna Mae Anderson (Sweet Adelines) |
| Notable Groups | The Dapper Dans, The Buffalo Bills, Sweet Adelines quartets |
| Organizations | Barbershop Harmony Society, Sweet Adelines International |
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