A Sampler of Shape Note Songs

Clips of songs led at the Missouri State Convention, March 2007. Includes tunes from The Sacred Harp (Denson) and The Missouri Harmony, 2005 Edition.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• shape
• note
• fasola
• Sacred
• Harp
• folk
• traditional

[matt1284508]

Should be titled Sacred Harp singing not,shape note singing as they are not the same thing!A lot of Appalachia uses shape note singing but it definitely isn't sacred harp.

[PLBrayfield]

You are right, in that not all shape note singing is Sacred Harp. However, Sacred Harp IS one kind of shape note singing. The notation in Sacred Harp books uses shaped note-heads to denote the tones of the scale. Other shape note books include Southern Harmony, Missouri Harmony, Christian Harmony, Harmonia Sacra, and many more, including those that sound nothing like Sacred Harp - e.g. Stamps-Baxter songbooks. Tell us about your kind of shape note singing, link an example! :=)

[jt4logos]

I would like to see a project of each of the Sacred Harp songs recorded on video . . . for us beginners to learn the songs from. It's great stuff! I am sorry for our generation of church singers, doing the modern pop junk and knowing nothing else.

[PLBrayfield]

That would be a BIG project! But there are quite a few Sacred Harp & other shape note songs posted on youtube, which 'beginners' might find a helpful learning aid. Just search the youtube site using the words 'Sacred Harp' or 'shape note' and see what turns up!

[davanjay]

exquisite. Who wrote these pieces?

[PLBrayfield]

I apologize for not having posted any answer when you first asked. I'll add to what is below - that many of these are traditional American shape note tunes from as early as colonial days. Some (Captain Kidd for ex) are tunes from English or Scottish folk ballads, with Christian poetry substituted, and harmonized by the method common to shape note harmony. Singer/composers are still composing new songs in this old style. Check out my channel for more shape note singing videos if interested!

[yaesuham]

Another great one PL.  Love it

[sparsematrix]

It's like hearing the songs of a far off home. Thank you!

[harpmover]

I really enjoyed being there as well as finding this video. Jim Harpmover

[hackburleson]

me either.. what a great tool,eh?

[Photobugspjt]

Thanks shapenotesinger. I did actually do as you suggested a couple of days ago and found that there is a convention on the weekend of the 16th & 17th of this month. I made a call and got a ride. Then sent an email and the hosts are working on a place for me to stay. These are all complete strangers to me, but I am going to go for it because I am so wanting to learn this style of singing. I am grateful that they are so welcoming.

[shapenotesinger]

Check out the national website 'fasola dot org.' It lists all the singings nationwide, with contact information. I think there is a group in the Seattle area, but I don't know about Idaho.

[Photobugspjt]

Fascinating sound. Oh, if we could sing like this in our churches today! Would love to find a group in No. Idaho or Eastern Washington state who does this, so I could learn and join. Please post if you know of such a group.