Advice on Arranging Christmas Songs?

Question

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to rearrange some Christmas songs this year into a 50's a capella/barbershop/doo wop style. I have experience arranging and writing, but what I really lack is inspiration. Just wondering if anyone can think of any good songs to tackle, and examples of existing songs (Christmas or non-Christmas) for inspiration in that style, or any advice, chord and bass patterns, or techniques to represent that style. It can't be insanely difficult becasue my arrangement skills and (and especially creativity) are limited, and the people who will be singing the song (in parts) have limited experience and vocal ranges. Thanks in advace--looking forward to any help you can offer!

-mike

Answer 1

Find the Gene Chandler song "Duke of Earl", it's got a full band, but the backup singers are very representative of that style. In fact I have heard it arranged without the band, using the same backup style. You can change the syllables to dum dah etc. and it would work perfectly.

The Kings Singers and Manhattan Transfer are fantastic groups, but you asked for something simple, and they're not. You'd need a top notch group to pull off any of their arrangements.

Listen to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by Rockapella that will also give you an example of an updated doo-wop style. For more uptempo listen to "Sh-boom" and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"

For slower songs listen to "Earth Angel" and "Tears on my Pillow"

For each part, keep the bass on the root of the chord or outline the chords (1-3-5). I like to write out the chords on the staff, all in a row, then you can see how to invert them so that the voice leading for each part is smooth. If the chords are I IV and V you can just about keep it so that each part hardly jumps more than a third from chord to chord. That will keep it simple for each singer.

Email me if you need more explanation.

To add some spice use syllables other than "doo" "wop" "dah" "oooh" "shabop" etc. Try finding words in the song that can be repeated, listen to some Rockapella, for ideas. Their arrangements are too tough for inexperienced singers, but you can copy some of their syllabic ideas and arrangements. Some good songs to listen to by them for ideas are "16 Tons" "Shambala" "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego" and "Here Comes the Sun"

Answer 2

Do not re-invent the wheel. Check out http://www.a-cappella.com. You can find things like Man with the Bag - and great arrangements in Four Freshmen or Manhattan Transfer style already done. Get yourself some Kings Singers things - they will add the British Holly and Ivy style for you! There are over 200 Christmas arrangements already there, several collection, madrigals, holiday pop tunes. You can spend you time rehearsing, or hustling more gigs! Get those gigs NOW before the snow flies.

Much of this music is for student-run acappella groups - it can be done with people with limited experience. I do these with advanced 8th graders - good stuff.

BTW - also change it up and get a SATB quartet or octet to get Victorian costumes and do the caroling thing. You can carry music (Oxford Book of Carols is a winner). Get shopping malls to pay you - this makes $$ every season.

Answer 3

White Christmas.. i can hear it in my head doo wop style...maybe having the singers snap their fingers for the beat?

Answer 4

complex factor. browse over the search engines. it may help!