Vocal Declaration: Redefining the term a cappella

Hey acafans, you can tell I'm being facetious here, right?


Vocal Declaration: Redefining the term a cappella

I. Preamble
What makes a song “a cappella”? Derived from Italian, the term means “in the style of the chapel,” but this literal translation tells us nothing about what people consider a cappella to be today. Many define the term a cappella as music without instruments, other than voices. It can be one person singing a melody unaccompanied or many people singing Gregorian chant. However, only until very recently has the term been redefined to mean “making music using only voices,” and in this new style of a cappella (deemed “contemporary a cappella” and brought into the spotlight because of shows like Glee and The Sing-Off and by groups like Rockapella and Straight No Chaser), several voices were layered over each other to emulate the sound of instruments; furthermore, the introduction of vocal percussion, in which a vocalist would emulate the sound of a drum set using his or her mouth (and is very similar to beatboxing) further distanced this notion of a cappella from its original meaning.
Therefore, in an effort to redefine the term a cappella and to return to its original, etymological meaning, the following articles discuss what it means for a song to truly be “a cappella.”

II. Articles:
1. Songs done in the style of “true a cappella” should not be accompanied by instruments of any sort.
2. Electronic effects—such as autotune and pitch correction, looping, and EQ—are strictly off-limits.
3. The use of vocal percussion or beatboxing during a song should not be permitted if the song is to be considered “true a cappella.”
4. In keeping with the notion that a cappella music is in the style of the church, the emulation of instruments by background vocalists makes a song not a cappella.
5. Songs in which vocalists are singing only words and meaningful lyrics are considered “true a cappella.”
6. The use of choreography or excessive movement when singing in “true a cappella” is prohibited.
7. Songs done in “true a cappella” will not be pop, rock, hip-hop, doo wop, or any other genre of music that would not be sung in a church.
8. The use of electronic equipment—such as microphones, amplifiers, speakers, etc.—are not allowed.
9. “True a cappella” should be done in the Gregorian chant style or choral style sung in a somber, prayerful mood in a church or chapel by several members of the male clergy.

III. Conclusion
Though some of these articles are indeed extreme, they are necessary in order to restore the original denotation of the term a cappella. Though it is not suggested that the genre currently called “a cappella” or “contemporary a cappella” disappear entirely, it is necessary to restore the term to its proper glory. However, it is possible for this new, different form of vocal music to become popular in its own right, and by coining a new term for this genre of music, it will separate itself from the connotations of the church and lack of instruments, which will enable it to develop independently from a cappella and form its own history and identity.