a capella
Singing without instruments
A capella describes vocal music performed without instrumental accompaniment—voices alone.
The term comes from Italian meaning "in the chapel style," referring to unaccompanied church singing.
College a capella groups and barbershop quartets keep the tradition alive: They sang the national anthem a capella.
Usually spelled a cappella with the double p.
Organized group of singers
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- chorusSingers performing together
- madrigalUnaccompanied Renaissance choral composition
- barbershopHair-cutting establishment
glee club · doo-wop · gospel · collegiate · octet · quintet · quartet · sextet
Highest female voice range
- altoLower female voice
- tenorEssential meaning or import
- bassDeep pitch or fish
- baritoneMid-range male voice
falsetto · vibrato · belting · crooning · timbre · resonance · tone · pitch
Combine into mixture
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- polyphonySimultaneous independent melodic lines
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
- thirdsOne of three parts
fifths · interval · consonance · dissonance · overtones · tuning · intonation · voicing
choir
Organized group of singers
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- chorusSingers performing together
- madrigalUnaccompanied Renaissance choral composition
barbershop · glee club · doo-wop · gospel · collegiate · octet · quintet · quartet · sextet · chorale
soprano
Highest female voice range
baritone · falsetto · vibrato · belting · crooning · timbre · resonance · tone · pitch · range
blend
Combine into mixture
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- polyphonySimultaneous independent melodic lines
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
thirds · fifths · interval · consonance · dissonance · overtones · tuning · intonation · voicing · arrangement
beatbox
Vocal drum imitation
- bass dropsSudden deep frequency surges
- kickFoot-delivered strike
- snareDevice for catching prey
hi-hat · rhythm · groove · loop · layering · effects · scratch · click · pop · breath sounds
pure
Unmixed, without impurities
natural · live · authentic · intimate · unplugged · human · organic · minimal · exposed
a capellaaccompanied
Went along with someone
orchestrated · orchestral · backed · karaoke · produced
a capellainstrumental
Serving as means
instrumental music · orchestral · wordless · symphonic · electronic