Vocal Range & Grouping for Arranging A Cappella Music

Series Summary

A cappella music, literally like in the chapel, is defined as singing without instruments. This style of strictly vocal performance got its start in European religious services as far back as the late 1400s. Over the years, a cappella has kept to its roots, as it is still predominantly found in religious music, from Christian chants and hymns, to Jewish zemirot and sefirah, to Muslim anasheed. Yet, in modern times a cappella style has found its way into popular music, with doo-wop groups like the King's Singers and Boyz II Men, soloists such as Bobby McFerrin, and rap artists like Jay-Z. Some would argue that rap itself is a style of music entirely based upon the principle of a cappella.

In this free instructional video series, learn how to arrange a cappella music for a male, female, or mixed ensemble, with tips and techniques for your a cappella group. Our expert includes lessons covering different styles of singing, like hymns, and chants, and how they affect a voice arrangement, considerations for voicing and vocal range within a group, and even a video on writing a jazz arrangement.

Video Transcript

" Hello my name is Duane Carter and on behalf of expertvillage.com I'm here to talk to you about arranging for A Capella on ensemble. The first thing to consider when writing for A Capella are the voices that you will be writing for. You have to determine are you be writing for a all male group, would it be bases, or bases or tinner's, bases baritones and tinner's or would it be a female group. Are you writing for altos and sopranos, or just altos or are you going to be writing for a mix ensemble both males and females. If so you have to consider four part harmony. If you are writing for sopranos alto tinner's and base. You have to determine how this wide range would be arranged so that you have the best sound possible. "