Table of Contents
Introduction 5
What Is Contemporary A Cappella? 8
Chapter 1 Starting a Group 10
Starting a Scholastic Group 15
Starting a Pro/Semi-Pro Group 20
Auditions 22
Getting Your Group Off the Ground 26
Recap 27
Five Questions with Dr. J.D. Frizzell 28
Chapter 2 Vocal Technique for Contemporary A Cappella 31
Pop Vocal Tone 32
Vocal Exercises 38
Five Questions with India Carney 47
Chapter 3 Arranging 50
First Steps 51
Arrangement Prep: Planning Your Arrangement 54
Creating an Arrangement 59
Structuring Your Arrangement 71
Using Outside Arrangements 78
Recap 79
Five Questions with Ben Bram 80
Chapter 4 Vocal Drumming 84
"Beatboxing" vs. "Vocal Percussion" 85
The Basics of Teaching Vocal Drumming 86
Basic Sounds: The Big Three 88
Basic Drills: Establishing Proficiency 89
Intermediate Sounds 92
Intermediate Drills: Finding Nuance 95
Breathing 97
Advanced/Miscellaneous Sounds 99
Recap 101
Five Questions with Tracy Robertson 102
Chapter 5 Vocal Bass Singing 106
Range vs. Feel 106
Groove 107
Tone 109
Different Styles of Vocal Bass 117
One Bass vs. Multiple Basses 117
Using a Microphone 119
Extended Bass Techniques 120
Recap 121
Five Questions with Avi Kaplan 122
Chapter 6 Live and Studio Sound 125
Part 1 Live Sound 126
Part 2 The Recording Studio 136
Recap 144
Five Questions with Ed Boyer 144
Chapter 7 Movement 147
Levels of Movement 147
Deciding How to Move 150
Purpose and Expression 154
Emotion 157
Working with an Outside Choreographer 158
Things to Avoid 158
Recap 160
Five Questions with Kristin Denehy 160
Chapter 8 Virtual Choir/Creating Videos 163
Types of Virtual Performances 164
Taking Virtual Performance to the Next Level 168
Recap 177
Five Questions with Shams Ahmed 178
Continuing Your A Cappella Journey 180
Books 180
Organizations 180
Summer Programs 181
Festivals and Competitions 181
Podcasts 182
Final Thoughts 183
About the Author 183
