Which term means "without instrumental accompaniment"?

Which term means "without instrumental accompaniment"?

• A. divisi
• B. diphthong
• C. maestoso
• D. a cappella

Answer: (D)

Singing without instrumental accompaniment is what a cappella means. It comes from Italian and historically described music sung in a chapel without instruments, so the voices carry the texture, harmony, and rhythm on their own. This makes it the best choice because it directly communicates unaccompanied vocal performance. The other terms point to different ideas: divisi means splitting a section into multiple parts, diphthong refers to blending two vowel sounds in one syllable, and maestoso indicates a majestic or solemn style or tempo. Thus, a cappella is the term that specifically conveys no instrumental backing.

Singing without instrumental accompaniment is what a cappella means. It comes from Italian and historically described music sung in a chapel without instruments, so the voices carry the texture, harmony, and rhythm on their own. This makes it the best choice because it directly communicates unaccompanied vocal performance. The other terms point to different ideas: divisi means splitting a section into multiple parts, diphthong refers to blending two vowel sounds in one syllable, and maestoso indicates a majestic or solemn style or tempo. Thus, a cappella is the term that specifically conveys no instrumental backing.