According to the National Public Radio website barbershop quartets originated among African American men in the late 19th century. At the time, barbershops commonly served as a sort of social center for African American men. The men would simply sit around, converse, sing and enjoy each other’s company.
Once African Americans introduced barbershop harmony to the world, it quickly gained popularity among white performers. In fact, the invention of Thomas Edison’s phonogram aided the popularity of barbershop quartets in America. Although large orchestras and choruses were too large to fit into a recording studio, barbershop quartets fit just perfectly. By the end of the 19th century, barbershop quartet music was almost entirely performed by white men.
Barbershop harmony is an improvised style of acapella music. As explained by the Acapella Foundation, the style of harmony “is characterized by its consonant, four-part, ringing chords which accommodate each note of the melody.” The main melody in barbershop quarter harmony, sung by the lead, is near the range of second tenor for men. The harmony is then built around this melody, allowing for a full-voiced effect. The tenor sings above the melody with a slightly lighter quality, while the bass sings the low notes and the baritone sings the remaining middle notes.
Although the basic qualities of barbershop music have remained the same, a few minor changes have occurred over the years. At its development, barbershop music was improvised. The men who sang the harmonies simply made up the words and harmonies as they went, adjusting the tune when necessary. Gradually, this quality changed and barbershop quartets began performing written arrangements. In fact, Acappella Foundation explains that quartets now sing popular songs from all eras and genres.
Another drastic change that occurred over the years is the introduction of female singers. Traditionally, barbershop quarters involved only male performers. However, women eventually made their way into the quartets.
In 1938, Owen C. Cash founded the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Signing in America Incorporated (SPEBSQSA). Commonly referred to as the “Barbershop Harmony Society,” this organization welcomes more than 30,000 male quartet singers into its membership. A similar organization was developed for female quartet singers in 1945. As of 2010, Sweet Adelines International welcomes more than 30,000 female quartet singers into its membership.