Complementary Soloists
For the uninitiated, it can be difficult to understand why people love a cappella. Heck, even for those of us who do actively enjoy it, it can be difficult to put into words why we enjoy this art form so. While we’ll never have a truly comprehensive list of everything cool about a cappella, 200 Reasons to Love A Cappella is our best attempt at assembling a list of what makes it great.
Reason #187: Complementary Soloists
Sometimes, an individual soloist captivates the crowd, draws them into a story, and walks away as the single most memorable performer in a night of a cappella.
Sometimes, it’s a pair.
One of the most simple and effective ways of breaking up the monotony of a soloist stepping out from the group to sing with the group backing her for each song is the effect of two leads working in tandem. From an aural perspective, a pair of soloists can mix up the sound, whether they harmonize, alternate lines, or switch between verses. From a visual perspective, there can be a certain quality of performance that’s more natural with two soloists in conversation with one another, offsetting the artifice of performance when a single lead focuses his attention on the crowd.
When the right pair of soloists gel on stage, it can create a special moment in music and in performance, all the sweeter because twice as many group members are getting the spotlight for that song.
I love it!