BY ANDREW MESSENGER
As clearly demonstrated in Jason Moore’s noted 2013 work of scholarship Pitch Perfect, a cappella music is by far the most enjoyable and entertaining activity in which humans can engage with their mouths.
Basically, a cappella music involves nothing but the human voice (and, like, clapping, I guess – but no instruments! None!). This makes it quite a different experience. Unlike normal-people music, a cappella is unshackled from the mechanical restrictions of instruments. Without the piano, vocal music becomes essentially limitless in scope. You’re free from the limitations of style, tradition and taste. You can do whatever you want – really stupid stuff, in particular. Interestingly, this is the only unique musical form indigenous to the United States (‘Barber Shoppe’, as a cappella was once known). This probably says a lot.
If you have yet to see the film, by the way, leave now. Trust me, I will still be here when you get back.
Australia has been blessed with world-class a cappella singing, of late. Just a few years ago, we were blessed with a concert series by the gorgeous King’s Singers. Finnish group Rajaton toured Australia as well – and Naturally Seven of the United States. And, of course, Australia’s own Idea of North is perhaps the best vocal group the country has ever seen.
Now, ABC Classic FM is releasing The Classic 100 Voice, and to celebrate we bring you some of the key ups and downs of a cappella music.
Problem 1: Legitimate Terror
Now, moving on. The problem with a cappella music, of course, is that singing with no accompaniment is super-super hard. Like, ridiculously so. Firstly, you have the usual problem you get with chamber music – absolutely nowhere to hide. At its best, a cappella singing only allows for one voice to a part. So, if you run out of breath, or forget your words, there’s no where to hide. Even worse, it’s much harder to hold your pitch while singing than while playing, say, the violin. Pitch issues are always a problem in choirs, but it gets dramatically more difficult if the piano player has taken the day off. Essentially, the solution to this is to be better at music than you used to be.
Problem 2: Hearing Yourself
There is a reason choirs have conductors. Many a cappella groups, though, do not. It’s very, very difficult to get a good concept of the overall sound of the group from within it – even in a rehearsal. The only solution I’ve yet to come up with is to record yourself in a microphone and listen back – though, of course, low-fidelity mics will not be very accurate, so don’t trust them much. Another solution is to invite a musical friend along to a rehearsal once in a while.
Problem 3: Time Management
If I have to do one more goddamn Doodle, I will murder someone. Doodle is organising software you will discover upon forming your a cappella group. Nobody ever has had a simple time organising rehearsal for a vocal group. Ultimately, rehearsal always ends up being that one time that is just a little annoying, but not quite inconvenient enough that you personally can say an outright ‘no’. Organising schedules is always disaster for a cappella groups – but, look on the bright side. You don’t need to cart around a tuba.
Another perennial problem, of course, is finding gigs. Speaking of which, if anyone from Brisbane would like a vocal sextet to sing someplace…
As with all human endeavour, singing has its downsides. However, a cappella style definitely has an upside no other sort of activity can offer.
The Upside: One Voice a Part
One of the greatest strengths of the a cappella style is that nobody can take credit for your achievements. It’s a massive ego boost: you, and only you, have achieved something both incredibly hard and meaningful as part of a team. If you’re an arranger, it’s even better.
Only the human voice can be truly in tune. Little known fact: pianos are always out of tune. No instrument can achieve anywhere near the accuracy of pitch of the human voice. It’s also the most versatile instrument: think of another type of ensemble that could switch from Adele to disco then Mozart and do all of them convincingly in style. There isn’t one.
For stories, sounds, and “music that makes your heart sing” in light of The Classic 100: Voice, visit ABC Classic FM.
This story was originally published on 31 May 2014. Image of Express Male supplied by Andrew Messenger.
