close-harmony

IPA/ˌkləʊs ˈhɑːməni/
IPA/ˌkləʊs ˈhɑːrməni/

close-harmony — noun

1. a way of arranging or singing several vocal parts so the notes stay near one ano

1.nounC2
Definition

a way of arranging or singing several vocal parts so the notes stay near one another in pitch

Example

The quartet sang in close harmony during the wedding encore.

pattern: sing in close harmony

Talia wrote a close-harmony arrangement for the school jazz choir.

collocation: close-harmony arrangement

Common collocations
  • close-harmony arrangement
  • close-harmony singing
  • sing in close harmony
  • teach close harmony
Synonyms
  • tight harmony

    near-equivalent music term, often a little more informal

  • part singing

    broader term for singing in separate lines; it does not always mean the notes are packed close together

  • barbershop harmony

    one vocal tradition that often uses close harmony, not every example of the style

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

sing in close harmony

a close-harmony arrangement

Usage Note

Common with verbs such as sing, arrange, teach, and practice. This sense names the vocal method itself, not the sound result in sense 2.

2. the blended sound you hear when nearby harmony notes are sung or played together

2.nounC2
Definition

the blended sound you hear when nearby harmony notes are sung or played together

Example

The final chorus ended with a warm close-harmony sound.

collocation: close-harmony sound

From the next room, Vivek could hear the close harmony clearly.

pattern: hear the close harmony

Common collocations
  • close-harmony sound
  • hear the close harmony
  • the close harmony of three voices
  • warm close harmony
Synonyms
  • vocal blend

    broader term focusing on how smoothly the voices join

  • tight harmony

    often used for the same packed sound, though it can also name the singing style in sense 1

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

hear the close harmony

the close harmony of + plural noun

Usage Note

Often follows verbs such as hear, capture, create, and blend. Distinguish from sense 1, which focuses on the performance style rather than the sound that reaches the listener.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Close harmony is closest to 'tight harmony', which also suggests parts packed into a narrow pitch space. 'Four-part harmony' tells you how many vocal lines there are, but those four lines can still be either close or open. 'Open harmony' is the main contrast because its notes are spread farther apart.

tight harmonyfour-part harmonyopen harmony ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Verbs

Phrases

  • sing in close harmony
  • write a close-harmony arrangement
  • hear the close harmony

Etymology

English

Formed from close and harmony; the term describes harmony parts placed near one another in pitch.