a cappella – Page 6

Jacob Collier | Moon River

Jacob Collier‘s newest release is an arrangement of “Moon River,” written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer in 1960 — it will blow your mind. Starting in Bb, it modulates to Db at 3:48, then to D at 4:34. After a long, winding transition, we end up in Eb at 5:55, and go in many different directions from there before ultimately landing on a…C major chord. 🤯 There is no one like this guy, and this might be his most epic masterpiece yet.

UPDATE | April 12, 2020:

This update isn’t strictly a modulation, but in this 90-minute video Collier breaks down, in granular detail, how he put together the arrangement. It is staggering, and includes a fascinating discussion of harmony.

Peter Hollens | Shenandoah

Peter Hollens’ a cappella cover of “Shenandoah” (2012) features a key change at 1:13, and a return to the original key at the end.

Eclipse 6 | Do You Hear What I Hear?

Happy Monday! More a cappella to kick off the week with Eclipse 6 singing “Do You Hear What I Hear” (2011). Key change at 2:24.

Voctave | O Come, All Ye Faithful

We conclude this week’s a capella series with Voctave‘s absolutely stunning performance of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (2018). Key changes at 2:05 and 3:15, and the last note held by the tenor soloist for 24 seconds. Have a good weekend!

The Blenders | O Come, All Ye Faithful

The Blenders are today’s version of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (2002), with a key change at 0:52. Enjoy!

BYU A Cappella | O Come, All Ye Faithful

Installment #3 of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” week is a 2015 version by BYU Vocal Point & BYU Noteworthy. A little heavier on the religious imagery than stuff we normally post here, but a nice arrangement. Key change at 1:53.

Take 6 | O Come, All Ye Faithful

The second installment of this week’s a capella series features a 1991 version by TAKE 6, with a really slick modulation up a minor third at 0:54. Enjoy!

Pentatonix | O Come, All Ye Faithful

Happy Monday! We’re gonna do something a little different this week by featuring five different a cappella versions of “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” all containing (at least) one modulation, of course. Kicking off the week with the 2016 version by Pentatonix, key change at 3:00.

Voctave | You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Happy Tuesday! Today is our first feature of a group you will see numerous times over the next few weeks, Voctave‘s “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (2017). There are a bunch of key changes at the beginning, but you have to listen all the way through just to hear that last chord!

Fascinating Aida | Cheap Flights

Fascinating Aïda have been described as “Absolutely Fabulous meets Noel Coward, as sung by the Andrew Sisters.” Here’s their rendition of “Cheap Flights.” One of the key changes is at 1:25, but you have to watch the whole thing!