To sing "a cappella" means to sing without instrumentation. A cappella music may refer to singing that is unaccompanied or to music that is purely vocal (such as beatboxing.) A cappella singing is part of several religious traditions (including the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths), and has also played an important role in the history of popular music.

Features

A cappella singing spans a number of genres. Its strongest characteristic is that all song elements are carried vocally. Some a cappella features a lone voice carrying the melody, while other a cappella forms may feature multiple voices in harmony. In some a cappella, vocal parts act as "backing instrumentation" to a lead singer, replicating the sounds or role of drums, guitars, and other instruments.

Significance

A cappella has its roots in objections by early Christians to music that included instruments. While this is no longer an issue, a cappella has caught on with many different cultures. Two a cappella genres, doo-wop and barbershop, are American inventions. Colleges all over the world have collegiate a cappella groups that hold competitions.

History

A cappella-style singing originated from early Christian music, specifically music that was intended to be sung during religious services. "A cappella" actually means "chapel (or church) style" in Italian.

Types

Musical genres such as opera, doo-wop, barbershop and "vocal bands" include elements of a cappella. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a cappella musical forms such as the madrigal, plainsong, Gregorian chants and polyphony were popular.

Famous Ties

Bach's "Mass in B Minor" is one of the most famous classical a cappella pieces. Contemporary a cappella artists include Rockapella, The Manhattan Transfer and Bobby McFerrin.

Source:

A Capella Definition

Merriam-Webster Dictionary A Capella Definition

What is Acapella?

Resource:

CASA: The Contemporary A Capella Society

A Capella News.com

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