Barbershop is a uniquely American musical style. Most people familiar with it might visualize four men in candy-stripe vests and straw hats playfully singing classic American songs. The quartet harmonizes around the melody, maintaining a constant four-part harmony. But beyond that, most people do not have a strong idea of what sets apart barbershop as an acapella style distinct from others. What makes it barbershop, musically speaking? This presentation provides an overview of the fundamental traits of the barbershop style, and dives into the specific harmonic features and voice-leading practices that define it.

Core practices include devotion to the original tune in the lead (second tenor) part, the continual four-part harmonization around nearly every melody note, and emphasis on the dominant seventh harmony. Originally, the theoretical framework was largely intuited by amateur hobbyists. But over the years, it was formally codified by arrangers and contest judges into a clearly defined set of practices. As a close-harmony acapella style, barbershop relies on chords that are quick and easy to tune vertically. The choice of harmonic progression, inversion types, and voicing reflect that imperative. There is also a strong focus on the use of "swipes," which are signature embellishing devices used in the style. Over the course of the presentation, these stylistic features are explained in greater detail in hopes of providing some insight into this enjoyable American pastime.