Define a cappella

(email answers to tim at moosebutter dot com)

Discussion Questions:

--Does part of your definition of a cappella include ‘singing other people’s songs,’ ‘pop radio,’ ‘cover songs,’ or ‘Zombie Jamboree?’

--Is the singing of cover songs implicit in the definition of a cappella, and in particular, collegiate a cappella?

--With the new school year, as groups struggle to stand out from the crowd, or to just survive, how is your group defined? What do people know you as? Would your identity be compromised if you performed all original music? Would your fans actual recognize you if you did all original music?

--What are the oldest songs in your repertoire: a) the oldest song(s) in terms of when it was written, and b) the song(s) that’s been in the group’s rep the longest.

--Do you know what ‘repertoire’ means?

--And for those of you who really do think you are something big, original, important, and/or unique, how can you make such a claim when you’re exclusively singing other people’s music?

I understand that in the professional music world there is a fine tradition of ‘covering’ other artists, but nowhere but a cappella (…and maybe jazz? But that’s a different discussion…) are covers <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_song> the rule rather than the exception. Great artists play other people’s songs, but as one among many of their own. If a band plays too many covers, they are no longer a band, they are a cover band (a dirty word in the music world) (unless you’re singing at weddings, in which case it’s simply an accepted evil).

So most ‘vocal bands’ should actually call themselves ‘vocal cover bands.’

A ‘rock band without instruments’ should, by definition:

b) sing original songs (since that’s what rock bands do)

c) rock

d) have no instruments

e) leather pants, pyrotechnics, and ritualized killing of wildlife are all optional

Soooooo… what about a cappella groups? What should they really be called?

That’s actually very simple: according to historical precedent and societal function, a cappella groups should call themselves glee clubs.

Because that’s what they are.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_clubs>

Discuss.

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved