'Mount Pleasant' (Denson Sacred Harp)

[dono509]

I followed a link from the fasola discussion, which touted this as "leading slowly in 2." I have this song from last year at Headrick Chapel (Old Harp). Compare and contrast.

I'll spoil and tell y'all that it's in 4 and slower than this.

[PLBrayfield]

True, the Headrick Chapel Old Harp video is slower. I think 'leading slowly in 2' refers, not to the tempo of the song, but to the slow up and down hand movement of the leader, which is the traditional way of leading songs with 4/4 and 2/2 time signatures. Leading quickly in 2 would be the traditional way of leading 2/4 or 2/8. The Old Harp leader is making 4 distinct movements, one for each count. So he is 'leading slowly in 4', regardless of singing speed. Confusing to explain but not to do.

[PLBrayfield]

Thanks for posting your response. Viewers will find the contrast interesting. To me there's a subtle difference in the sound when the leader makes four hand movements for the 4 counts, vs only two. With 4 movements, singers tend to accent each of the 4 counts equally, while with 2 hand movements, there are distinctly stronger accents on the 1st and 3rd counts (the down and up hand strokes). There's more of a 'pulsing sound' with the 'up and down' way of leading 4/4 and 2/2 vs using 4 strokes.

[jt4logos]

I love the physicality of Sacred Harp. The swaying and arm waving and head nodding are a whole Praise, within the excellent confines of the music. Order, joy, participation, variety, community!

[PLBrayfield]

I couldn't agree more! Thanks for your encouraging comments.