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Barbershop singing uses four voices to create four-part harmonies. Finding the right part for your voice is the initial step. Any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits her range.  The following definitions from the Sweet Adelines International website will help you decide which part is right for your voice:

Lead is the melody and is sung in the range between A below middle C, and C above middle C.

Tenor is a harmony part sung consistently above the lead. Although tenor is the highest voice in barbershop harmony, it should not be confused with soprano of conventional singing groups. The tenor should have a light, sweet, pure tone that will compliment but not overpower the lead voice.

Baritone covers approximately the same range as lead. The baritone harmony notes cross the lead notes, sometimes sung below and sometimes above. Baritones must constantly adjust their balance to accommodate their position in the chord.

Bass singers should have a rich, mellow voice and be able to sing the E flat below middle C easily. Basses should not be confused with the alto of conventional groups. Many altos can sing the bass part, but others are much better suited to lead or baritone, depending on range and vocal quality.

The first night you come to rehearsal, you will sing a few notes for the chorus director.  You will do this privately, with just you and the director present.  She will listen as you sing and then decide what voice you can sing best.  You will then be placed in the chorus beside someone who sings that same voice.  She’ll be your first friend in the chorus!

Barbershop is always sung a cappella and is characterized by a “cone-shaped” sound, where the lower voices predominate.  If song perfectly, barbershop chords “lock and ring,” and create unsung harmonic overtones.