Comments on: Sacred Harp: Old time music, BIG time sound

By: Ron Gentry

Ron Gentry — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:47:43 +0000

I am thinking about having a shape note workshop at a private gathering oldtime musicians. Is there someone in the group who I could speak with directly to get answers to a few questions. My phone number is 804-556-3348. Thanks,
Ron

By: Nate

Nate — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:30:24 +0000

We had a great all-day singing on Saturday, thanks to those bold individuals who came to sing for the first time. Pictures and video to be posted on the Facebook page soon.

By: Scott Burton

Scott Burton — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:45:30 +0000

Great article Nate! I’d always been curious what Sacred Heart singing was. The links I’ve found here have led to some great great music!

By: Chris Mathews

Chris Mathews — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:03:57 +0000

When music goes straight to the heart, it is a great gift. I love the honest, straightforward texts in the Sacred Harp. Thanks for introducing me and Dad to shape note singing.

By: keety dolfe

keety dolfe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:18:34 +0000

Hey Nate!

Though I’ve been to a sing, I did not notice at all until now the similarity in sound between shape-note singing and bluegrass. But of course!

By: Cathryn Bearov

Cathryn Bearov — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:11:18 +0000

I’m a fairly long-time singer from Chicago. This was a fine intro to Sacred Harp. I do have a few quibbles, though. Conventions are for 2 days or more. Otherwise, it should be called an all day singing. The deep South would remind you that it is not a ‘sing’, it is a singing. Also, it is a rare singing where the leaders list what lesson they will lead when they register. The lessons are called out to the class as the leader enters the hollow square. But these are small complaints. This is definitely one of the better articles I’ve seen on Sacred Harp in some long time. For more information go to fasola.org

By: Nate Mathews

Nate Mathews — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:51:36 +0000

O Taylor, I will save you a hymnal then.

By: taylor

taylor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:25:59 +0000

oh wait false alarm. Apparently I can’t read :)
I will definitely catch as much as I can!

By: taylor

taylor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:25:02 +0000

How long will this last on Saturday? I really want to come out, but I have Gamelan rehearsal before hand. Rehearsal may be over by the time it starts, but I’m not sure.

By: Nate Mathews

Nate Mathews — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:36:16 +0000

Thanks Don, the Richmond group always appreciates new singers.

So that folks don’t feel too intimidated, dropping in and listening is also welcome. The singing this Saturday (Nov 7) would be the best one all year to do so.

By: Don Wiley

Don Wiley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:10:35 +0000

Posted link on my facebook – I have a few singing friends.

By: Don Wiley

Don Wiley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:08:30 +0000

Very fine article! It was a story in a local paper that kindled my interest almost twenty years ago. Hope this will bring many more into this wonderful music and community.

By: SnowPanda

SnowPanda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:35:19 +0000

Nice article Nate. I knew nothing about this!

By: Nate Mathews

Nate Mathews — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:01:02 +0000

Good point Stephanie, that could have been worded much better. Them vocal pipes were the first instrument ever used! (intenionaly used anyways)

There’s something extra that can be detected in music-making when its purpose isn’t mastery (certainly nothing against people who are incredible “musicians” due to effort). I suppose the best way to lose certain qualities of a piece of wood would be to buff and finish it and use it as a table. However sturdy or impressive it may be, it now smells like lacquer.

By: Sharla

Sharla — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:43:54 +0000

Generally the tenor and treble parts can both be sung by men or women, in whatever octave they generally sing in. This actually results in six-part harmony.

If you ever should go to a singing, even if you’re not comfortable enough to get up and lead yourself, get in the center of the square with another leader. That’s the place where you’re able to experience the music most fully.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:31:58 +0000

Lovely article! But, you wrote:

“In fact, they’re likely not musicians, just singers.”

Singers are musicians… The voice is a singer’s instrument, their vessel for music making. Perhaps you meant “people who read music”?

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:33:52 +0000

Thanks for a thorough first-hand article about this tradition. Made my day. I’ve been meaning to try a shape-note sing around here. My parents used to take me to them sometimes in PA or the Valley.

By: Nate Mathews

Nate Mathews — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:26:22 +0000

Dean,

The leader is facing the tenor section, which is occupied by both men and women. The altos are to the leader’s back. Men sometimes sit here and sing either with the ladies or an octave below them.

Funny, most people sing the part they’ve sung their whole lives, and would fail hard of they tried another part. Again, they’re typically singers, not musicians.

By: Dean Christesen

Dean Christesen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:13:13 +0000

Really fascinating. I didn’t realize this was going on here. It looks like some men and women are sitting in same sections in that video. Are they not separated by vocal part like your diagram shows, or do people sing whatever part they want in their octave?