What Is Four Part Harmony

Four-part harmony refers to a musical arrangement or composition that involves four individual vocal or instrumental parts, each with its own melodic line. These four parts are typically written to be sung or played simultaneously, creating a rich and harmonically balanced sound. In traditional Western music, four-part harmony commonly refers to the combination of four voices: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Each voice has its own range and specific role within the harmony. The soprano voice is the highest, typically sung by female vocalists or played by instruments like the flute or violin. The alto voice is lower than the soprano and is often sung by female vocalists or played by instruments such as the viola. The tenor voice is higher than the alto and is typically sung by male vocalists or played by instruments like the saxophone or trumpet. The bass voice is the lowest and is usually sung by male vocalists or played by instruments like the cello or double bass. When these four voices