A Cappella

A cappella is a fun way to make music using just voices. There are no guitars, pianos, or drums. Singers use their voices to make all the sounds, even the beats. The name comes from Italian and means 'in the style of the chapel.'

How It Works

In a cappella groups, each singer has a special job. Some sing the main melody while others sing harmony parts. One singer often makes drum sounds with their mouth, which is called beatboxing. Together, they can sound like a whole band. Every sound comes from a human voice.

Where You Hear It

A cappella music has been around for hundreds of years. It started in churches where instruments were not allowed. Today, many colleges have a cappella groups that sing popular songs. TV shows and movies have made this style very popular with kids and teens.

Fun Facts

• Beatboxing can copy the sound of real drums almost perfectly.
• Some a cappella groups have won big singing contests on TV.
• The Whiffenpoofs at Yale University is one of the oldest a cappella groups in America.

Did You Know?

A cappella groups can sound like a full band because singers can copy instruments like trumpets, basses, and drums with their mouths.