A cappella, also spelled acappella, is an Italian musical term that means “in the style of the chapel” and refers to songs sung without the use of an instrument. Because it was predominantly associated with worship in centuries past, the literal meaning of the term provides a good clue about the history of this type of music. However, during the twentieth century, secular singing groups appropriated the style, and as of the early twenty-first century, it is commonly applied to a wide range of musical genres.
At its most basic level, a cappella refers to singing without the use of any instruments. Although many people associate this type of music with a group of singers, in theory, this can include songs performed by a solo singer or a group of singers. Furthermore, while the style can be monophonic, or consisting of only one tune, it is more commonly associated with a polyphonic sound, which combines multiple melodies.
The term a cappella, when translated from Italian, gives a clear indication of the style’s history. The phrase literally means “in the chapel’s style.” This is a fair description, as this genre of music has long been associated with religious worship. Several religions, including Christianity and Judaism, have used a cappella music in their services throughout history.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, non-religious singing groups, particularly in the United States, began to adopt the a cappella style. Non-instrumental singing groups formed at a number of American universities, with many adopting names that were irreverent or punned on some aspect of musical terminology. Men also formed barbershop quartets, which were small groups of men. These groups were usually social rather than religious, and as a result, they tended to perform secular songs from the ragtime or jazz traditions.
While some religious services still use a cappella music in the early twenty-first century, the style as a whole has progressed a long way from its historical roots. On college campuses and in high schools, a cappella groups are still thriving. Contemporary groups, on the other hand, tend to favor various types of popular music, ranging from rock and country to rhythm and blues and rap, rather than performing spiritual or even traditional jazz selections.