A cappella

Kim Brow Geography 433March 20, 2014

Overview

• Definition• Evolution– Church hymns– Barbershop– Collegiate

• Contemporary A Cappella– Course Themes

Definition

• Creating music without the use of instruments. Whistling and snapping is also used.

• It is a style as opposed to a genre of music. All genres can be performed in a cappella style.

• A cappella is an Italian word which refers to music performed “in the style of the chapel”

Evolution• A cappella first documented in 15th Century Europe

Christian hymns.• Term was originally coined to differentiate between

Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato styles but was then given its current definition in the 1800s.

• Composers specifically wrote in this style for wroship since many churches ban the use of instrumentation

• Slowly declined as instrumentation was permitted• Jewish and Islamic religions also used this style in worship

– Jewish- Sefirah– Muslim - Nasheed

Church Hymn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8a-LYXVLnQ

Barbershop Quartet

• Four part vocal harmonies• Began in late 1800s among the African American men who

would socialize and harmonize while they waited their turn at the barbershop

• 1930 saw barbershop revival, 1938 was the formation of the first formal men's barbershop organization Barbershop Harmony Society.

• 1945 – Women's organization Sweet Adelines formed

Boston Common – Who Told Youhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg4cFVWvzIsThe Ragtime Girls (Jimmy Fallon) – Ignition (remix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2LiFsdrXF4

USA Collegiate A Cappella

• Yale Wiffenpoofs-1909• 1940s and 50s saw a major growth in

collegiate groups in American universities• Gained popularity in 1990s when beatboxing

was introduced

Commercialization and Role of Mass Media

• Gained popularity through mass media.

• The Sing Off (2009) a televised reality a cappella singing competition

• Glee Season 2 &3 (2010/11) featured an a cappella group The Warblers

• Pitch Perfect (2012) is a movie about collegiate a cappella competition

• Jimmy Fallon (2013) has also done covers of songs on his late night show (ie Miley Cyrus)

Examples

• The Kings Singers- Duke Ellington https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxpi8WQxDm4

• Glee Warblers – Teenage Dream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRPqaclf6Bw

• Daichi – Beatboxer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfr7JNicojk&list=PLMSQMaplw_8YbVgkL3DIXNWOXgKBIRpkK

Adaptation/Innovation

• No longer need instruments to form a band. If you can imitate the sounds of instruments

• New way to arrange songs• Bands achieve fame or success from utilizing

this style to cover popular songs (ie Pentatonix)

Instruments and Recording Technology

• Shift in instruments. A cappella was originally harmonies. Modern a cappella uses vocals to recreate the sound of the instruments

• People are making one man a cappella groups (ie Mike Tompkins)

Technologies of Communication

• YouTube is a huge resource. It is a place for artists to share their music with a broad audience. (ie Smooth McGroove)

• Pentatonix regularly post covers • Many competitions are posted here• Great way to share music (not just a cappella)

with many people• Smooth McGroove – Super Mario World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndiD8V7zpAs

Other A cappella Artists

• The Nylons – Canadian Band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQN87SEXKds

• The Skyliners – 50s-70s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO7NDrojlwA

• Pentatonix –Evolution of Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lExW80sXsHs

• Duwende, Naturally 7• Synth000, Van Canto – Metal• GQ- Women’s Barbershop Quartet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dawvJWpfBD8

References

• Acapella. Wikipedia• CASA. 2009. A Cappella 101: Welcome To The

World Of Vocal Music. Retreived March 2 2014 from: http://www.casa.org/node/6160

• Wright, David. Barbershop Harmony. Retreived March 17 2014 from: http://www.acappellafoundation.org/essay/wright.html

• All Music Clips from YouTube• All images from Google Images

QUESTIONS?

Thank you