Contemporary a cappella
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Contemporary a cappella is a genre in which contemporary popular music is sung a cappella: without accompaniment by instruments. The songs may be original works in a popular style, or may be covers of popular songs, arranged for a cappella voices. There are many professional groups around the world, as well as recreational groups (aka "weekend warriors") and a growing number of contemporary a cappella choruses.
Contemporary a cappella is increasingly found on college campuses. See collegiate a cappella, and a number of high school (usually "college prep") groups are forming, emulating college groups.
Contemporary a cappella grew out of the traditions of barbershop and doo-wop, both of which were, at their inception, contemporary a cappella, reflecting the contemporary music of their time.
Contemporary a cappella can include a number of elements not commonly found in these older styles. The most prominent is probably the use of vocal percussion, in which one or more group members use their mouths to imitate drums and other percussion instruments. These vocal percussionists usually fill the role a drum set or drum machine plays in a more traditional popular music group. In addition, the voice is used to replicate instruments and weave complex textures. Contemporary a cappella recordings and performances often employ production techniques similar to those used in non-a cappella recording and performance, such as digital and analog effects and multi-track recording. Nowadays, there are a cappella groups that sing in every style of music: pop, rock, jazz, classical, bossanova, sea shanty, etc.
Professional groups noted for performances in the contemporary a cappella style include Ball in the House, The Nylons, The Bobs, Da Vinci's Notebook, The House Jacks, m-pact, Naturally Seven, Tonic Sol-fa Rockapella, Four Shadow, Spiralmouth, and Take 6.
External links
- [The Contemporary A Cappella Society (of America)], aka CASA, is a great place to find out more about contemporary a cappella.
- [a-cappella.com] is the definitive online source for a cappella recordings and sheet music.
- [TotalVocal]: a cappella arrangements, coaching, directing, production.
- [The College A Cappella Web] is a great resource for contemporary college a cappella groups.
- [www.collegiate-acappella.com] - directory of college a cappella groups.
- [mouthdrumming.com] - instructional site for vocal percussion
- ["The Blend"] official webpage for the a cappella radio program
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