three-part harmony
Voices weaving together
Three-part harmony is a musical arrangement where three distinct vocal or instrumental lines sound simultaneously, each following its own melodic path while blending into unified chords.
The term typically describes vocal music—barbershop quartets actually feature four parts, but folk, gospel, and pop groups often use three: The sisters sang in three-part harmony.
The effect is richer than a single melody but less complex than fuller choral arrangements.
- altoLower female voice
- triadGroup of three
- sopranoHighest female voice range
- gospel musicChristian songs with strong harmony
- blendingCombining into uniformity
folk traditions · choral arrangements · chord progression · tenor · balance · counterpoint · accompaniment · resonance · tonic · interval · intimacy · dominant · phrasing · Bee Gees · warmth · lead singer · a cappella · dynamics
- choral musicchoral music, choral works, choral arrangements, choral arrangement, choir arrangements
- vocal harmonythirds, sixths, duet, vocal ensemble, quartet
- Georgian musicsacred chants, religious chants, traditional chants
- Triosstring trio, piano trio, vocal trio, jazz trio, guitar trio
three-part harmonyunison
Simultaneous identical action
solo · monophony · single voice · Gregorian chant · solo performance
three-part harmonycacophony
Harsh, clashing sounds
discord · disharmony · dissonance · discordance · off-key singing
three, part, harmony, thrice, threefold, parted, parting, partial, partially