Question:
Is an avel allowed to listen to acapella? Or to rhythm, like drums, without other instruments? Thank you.
Answer:
It is incorrect for someone in aveilus to listen to a cappella music during aveilus. The reason an avel doesn’t listen to music is not specifically because of the sound of a musically instrument, but because music brings about simcha, which is one of the things an avel doesn’t do during the aveilus year.
Sources:
The halachos of listening to music during aveilus are similar to listening during sefira and the three weeks. Most poskim do not allow us to listen to a cappella during sefira or the three weeks. See Tzitz Eliezer 15-33(2), Shevet Halevi 8-127(2), Chut Shani shabbos 4 pg. 379, R’ Yisroel Belski zt”l ( see the following link A cappella albums ) R’ S. Miller and R’ Y. Cahen shlita.
