close harmony: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Musical
Quick answer
What does “close harmony” mean?
A style of vocal music where singers perform with very small intervals between their parts, typically in three or four parts, creating a rich, blended sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of vocal music where singers perform with very small intervals between their parts, typically in three or four parts, creating a rich, blended sound.
Can refer metaphorically to any situation where elements or people work together in perfect coordination and unity, with minimal distance or difference between them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is used identically in musical contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally technical in both regions. May have slightly stronger associations with traditional British folk singing or American barbershop music depending on context.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, confined to musical discussion.
Grammar
How to Use “close harmony” in a Sentence
[Group] sings in close harmonyThe [song] is arranged in close harmonya [style/example] of close harmonyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “close harmony” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The close-harmony arrangement was superb.
- They are a close-harmony trio from Yorkshire.
American English
- The close-harmony singing defined their sound.
- We need a close-harmony group for the festival.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could metaphorically describe a team working seamlessly: 'The departments operated in close harmony.'
Academic
Used in musicology, ethnomusicology, and performance studies to describe a specific vocal technique.
Everyday
Very rare. Most non-musicians would not use or recognise the term.
Technical
Standard term in music theory, composition, and vocal pedagogy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “close harmony”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “close harmony”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “close harmony”
- Confusing it with 'close' meaning 'to shut'. Writing it as one word ('closeharmony'). Using it to mean 'a harmony that is nearly complete'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Barbershop music is one specific style that uses close harmony. 'Close harmony' is the broader technical term for the voicing technique, which is also used in jazz, folk, and pop.
Yes, the term can apply to instrumental arrangements as well, such as in horn sections or string quartets, where the parts are written in tightly spaced chords.
The opposite in music theory is 'open harmony' or 'spread voicing', where the notes of a chord are spread out over a wider range.
Because the notes are so close together, singers must have excellent pitch accuracy and listening skills to maintain their individual part without sliding into another singer's note, which can create dissonance.
A style of vocal music where singers perform with very small intervals between their parts, typically in three or four parts, creating a rich, blended sound.
Close harmony is usually technical/musical in register.
Close harmony: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkləʊs ˈhɑː.mə.ni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkloʊs ˈhɑːr.mə.ni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In close harmony (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLOSE group of friends singing in perfect HARMONY, their voices almost touching.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTIMACY IS PROXIMITY IN PITCH / TEAMWORK IS VOCAL HARMONY
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of 'close harmony'?