I was just thinking about what to write for this first blog, and while musing randomly about this strange and wonderful thing we call recorded a cappella might be fun, it's just a tad indulgent. So, I'd like to start this off by suggesting 5 practical ways you can spice up your recorded a cappella tracks, from the ground up! I've seen these techniques used by arrangers from great groups like the Bubs and the Chordials, and also used them myself the few rare times I arrange something. By following these tips, you'll definitely make your track fresher, more current, and perhaps even revolutionary!

The Power of AH

Big, lush chords sung on open vowels like AH or OH never seem to go out of style – when done well, it gels the arrangement together, creates a huge texture, and can have immense emotional impact. Use this device in choruses, especially when you have an arrangement with over-busy syllables and no held notes. Just layer it over whatever's in the existing arrangement. Don't be afraid to use chords with 4, 5, or even 6 parts. Even better, have each person sing his/her part 3, even 4 times over and layer for a huge, choral wall of sound. Listen to any Tufts Beelzebubs track for an idea of how to use this technique. If you're too cheap to buy an album, there are free samples on acaTunes.com as well as a-cappella.com.

Riffs and Licks

Many groups arrange for ease of live performance, simplifying and omitting certain elements in the original. While this is a perfectly acceptable compromise, why constrain your studio tracks so? That little guitar lick that pops out at you, those 4 violin notes in the background – when included judiciously, on top of your existing arrangement, they can really make a world of difference, turning a basic arrangement into something that sounds more hook-filled and interesting. Even better, try imitating the instrumental sounds themselves, instead of droning everything on those ubiquitous doo's, neers, and jen's! You can even put a newbie or a person who doesn't have a solo on these parts for some minor bragging rights. Warning: this does not extend to full-length guitar solos during the bridge section – imitating this a cappella can get old and feel gratuitous! Check out the Bubs' Shedding album for some excellent examples of instrumental riffs incorporated into arrangements.

Layer Your Solos

Many contemporary tracks, particularly R&B songs have at least 8-10 lead and harmony vocal layers going on simultaneously. While some of these may already be incorporated in the arrangement, why not go all the way? The soloist or some other person in the group can easily record over him/herself to fill in all these missing parts, adding fullness and interest to the bare solo. This is also a great way to improve the tone of a thin, reedy voice.

Layer Your Percussion

Even if you have one guy/girl on vocal percussion live, it's easy to multiply that many times in the studio through the wonders of overdubbing. On top of the basic kick/snare drumbeat, add hi hats, shakers, toms, claps, even weird clicking noises! These can make all the difference in the atmosphere of a dance or rock track. Also, by putting in more percussion layers during the more exciting parts of a song and paring it down in the simpler sections, dynamic and musical contrasts can be accentuated. The Chordials used this technique to stunning (albeit thoroughly unnatural) effect in Perfect Drug off their latest album, Arrival.

Less Can Be More

With all this talk about adding cool stuff to an arrangement, sometimes all that's needed is some moments of near-silence. Try removing the background vocals during a particularly climactic moment when the soloist is soaring, and then coming back in with a bang. Also, try starting a slow ballad with nothing but low hummed triads, and then slowly layering in new parts as the song gains emotional momentum. For a stark, beautiful effect, try introducing some tonal ambiguity by removing thirds from major chords, leaving open fifths.

I hope these tips prove useful! In my next article, I'll deal with effects and how they can be used to great effect (pardon the pun) to enhance and transform your a cappella work of art. Till next time, happy recording! :)

- Tat