There are many ways to enjoy acapella music, for instance, arranging the songs. If you want to do more than listen and have a creative approach, with a little help I will be able to walk you through the process of arranging acapella music.

1. Think about who you are writing for. The best way to achieve the perfect sound is to stay within your singer’s range, and when writing for soloist, do not give them the impossible, expecting their best performance. Stay true to what can be expected from your group. If possible sing in your own tone, if you are able to make it work, the singer should not have an issue.

2. Ask yourself what kind of effect would you like to achieve. Texture and syllables are created by scat lyrics – these can make or break the song. Try to be as exact as possible on your sheet music, you don’t want any regrets. Strong syllables within the song are more memorable and sound well-put together and professional. If you can remember that syllables are the finishing touches, than your song will sound polished and the sound molded. A few key points in picking out scat sounds: vowel sounds have different volumes due to mouth positioning, anytime you wish to define an end note, place a consonant at the end (Ms are great for a soft sound), and echoing lyrics behind the syllables produces a really cool effect.

3. Think about the singer’s capabilities musically. Some songs are too difficult to replicate and if made too simple, are not very pleasing to the ear. Try to balance between singable and sounds appealing. Generally, two extensions per chord.

4. Make charts dynamic, keep everyone interested and entertained with what they are singing. A group does not normally want to sit idly by while a soloist sings and the rest repeat a two-bar pattern. Use through-composed charts (a continuous, non-repetitive song), this style is used by most acapella groups around the world.

5. Balance. Try to have your singers’ parts balanced; remember there is never more than one singer per range in a group. The top voice will cut through, so the necessity of more power in that particular range is obsolete. All the parts should be harmonizing in perfect balance when the arrangement is done correctly.

6. Stick to what you like. Try arranging music that you are more fond of. Most projects that are not liked inevitably end up on the charts you don’t like. Try to remind yourself if it sound good, it probably is, and if it’s not what you expected, re-work it!

7. Know your song. Listen to it many times a day, every time you listen to the song pick out an instrument and concentrate on the music it plays. Then sing along with that part, if it is doable, then progress into the arranging mode. Remember the more you know about the song, the better the arrangement.

8. Ask for advice or feedback. People are almost always more than willing to listen to a new creation, such as a new piece of music. A true music lover would especially love an aapella piece and would respectively consider giving some constructive criticism. Everyone normally hopes for positive feedback, but for the sake of argument, negative feedback are the things you can work on to make them better. Be willing to accept all forms of criticism.

9. Keep up the good work. It’s tough to stay focused, but don’t lose hope. Take it out every once in a while and work out the wrinkles, if you don’t have a deadline, that is.

I hope that these tips will help you to produce some amazing vocals and don’t forget to place your name somewhere in the syllables. How else is anyone supposed to know who wrote the song?