Simply A Cappella

Simply A Cappella: Put Your Goals in Perspective

By Mike Chin on April 11, 2013 in Simply A Cappella

On the surface, a cappella might seem like one of the simplest forms of music—there are no instruments required, and it’s an art frequently practiced by non-professional groups. But then there’s tuning, song selection, vocal percussion, choreography, transitions, choices in attire--when did a cappella get so convoluted? In Simply A Cappella, we discuss ways of stripping down complications and getting back to the core of a cappella. This is not advice for winning competitions or perfecting recordings; it’s advice for reminding yourself why you love to sing in the first place.

It seems more and more frequent that collegiate a cappella groups are run like businesses. Groups sell tickets to shows and record with an eye toward maximizing profits. They organize annual retreats, and coordinate tours far from home. They set short and long-term goals to determine by what point they should win CARAs, or ICCA championships, or make it on The Sing-Off.

Simply A Cappella: Sing Like Michael Jackson Did as a Child

By Mike Chin on December 6, 2012 in Simply A Cappella

On the surface, a cappella might seem like one of the simplest forms of music—there are no instruments required, and it’s an art frequently practiced by non-professional groups. But then there’s tuning, song selection, vocal percussion, choreography, transitions, choices in attire--when did a cappella get so convoluted? In Simply A Cappella, we discuss ways of stripping down complications and getting back to the core of a cappella. This is not advice for winning competitions or perfecting recordings; it’s advice for reminding yourself why you love to sing in the first place.

Simply A Cappella: Sing Like A Muppet

By Mike Chin on November 2, 2012 in Simply A Cappella

On the surface, a cappella might seem like one of the simplest forms of music—there are no instruments required, and it’s an art frequently practiced by non-professional groups. But then there’s tuning, song selection, vocal percussion, choreography, transitions, choices in attire--when did a cappella get so convoluted? In Simply A Cappella, we discuss ways of stripping down complications and getting back to the core of a cappella. This is not advice for winning competitions or perfecting recordings; it’s advice for reminding yourself why you love to sing in the first place.

Have you ever noticed the way in which Kermit the Frog sings? His mouth opens wide. His head flops back. If he’s not sitting on a lily pad, banjo in hand, he’s more often than not walking with a bounce in his step.

Sure, it’s easy for a puppet whose shtick is more often not aimed at entertaining kids to be up beat all the time, and sure, the character gets a lot of free passes when it comes to over-the-top optimism that people who are not lined with felt just don’t seem to get. But does that mean that people can’t emulate what The Muppets do best?

Simply A Cappella: Arrange a Song for Your Father

By Mike Chin on October 24, 2012 in Simply A Cappella

On the surface, a cappella might seem like one of the simplest forms of music—there are no instruments required, and it’s an art frequently practiced by non-professional groups. But then there’s tuning, song selection, vocal percussion, choreography, transitions, choices in attire--when did a cappella get so convoluted? In Simply A Cappella, we discuss ways of stripping down complications and getting back to the core of a cappella. This is not advice for winning competitions or perfecting recordings; it’s advice for reminding yourself why you love to sing in the first place.

When you think back to when you first started singing, or when you realized you loved to sing, there’s a fair chance you’re thinking a moment, or a series of events from your childhood. More often than not, your parents will have had a hand in this, whether they were the ones to introduce you to a favorite song from your youth, or they drove you to your choir rehearsals, or they sat at piano benches or with guitars over their knees as your first accompanists—before you knew what the word accompanist meant.

When you’re stumped for a song to take on, think about to these humble beginnings. More specifically, think of your father.

Simply A Cappella: Dance, Don’t Choreograph

By Mike Chin on October 3, 2012 in Simply A Cappella

On the surface, a cappella might seem like one of the simplest forms of music—there are no instruments required, and it’s an art frequently practiced by non-professional groups. But then there’s tuning, song selection, vocal percussion, choreography, transitions, choices in attire--when did a cappella get so convoluted? In Simply A Cappella, we discuss ways of stripping down complications and getting back to the core of a cappella. This is not advice for winning competitions or perfecting recordings; it’s advice for reminding yourself why you love to sing in the first place.

How much time does your group spend synching up its step-touches or sharpening that box step? Have you found yourself practically electric-sliding your way through a song, all the while focusing more on your movement than the sound you’re producing?