Sacred Harp 159 Wondrous Love

Shape note singers from Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Arkansas and Alabama join Missouri singers at Columbia for an all-day singing.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• shape
• note
• singing
• Sacred
• Harp

[4Topwood]

Yes, I have seen shape note notation. But I meant more generally the use of hand motions to guide singers, regardless of their ability to read music. Sacred Harp singers don't have to know anything about meter to follow the leader's hand movements, right?

I really appreciate your posting this marvelous singing. And thanks for your reply.

[PLBrayfield]

@4Topwood You are right, we don't have to know anything about meter, in a theoretical or abstract sense. But except for beginners, I don't think we are so much 'following the leader's hand movements,' as feeling the meter ourselves and expressing it in the pattern that we all learn to use when leading. When we take our turn in the center leading a song of our choice, we all use the same very simple way of 'leading.' No frills. It's not about the leader,but about singing a song together

[comradeshow]

I wish they had churches like this in South Carolina

[PLBrayfield]

@comradeshow Although churches that use this kind of singing (Sacred Harp shape note harmony) are few, I'm sure you could find groups of Sacred Harp singers in South Carolina, or all-day singings that would welcome you. Check out the website fasola.org for information about where singings are held all over the nation, contact info etc.

[4Topwood]

@PLBrayfield

Yes, I can both hear and see in this video (and other Sacred Harp videos) that it's the singers as a group, not the leader, that's the focus.

Thanks again for replying and for explaining a bit more about how it works. 

[PLBrayfield]

@4Topwood Interesting observation. However, as a Sacred Harp singer, I can say that the hand motions do not relate to the pitch, but to marking the beat along with the leader in the center of the square.

The shape note method of reading music involves different shapes of the note-heads as written on the staff. But the notes are written on a staff in the same positions as ordinary 'round-notes' would be, so those who already read music can join in without knowing the shape-note system

[4Topwood]

@PLBrayfield

The hand motions in Sacred Harp singing remind me of the Kodály Method. My chorus teacher taught singers who couldn't read music to sing a cappella and stay on pitch with that method.

This singing is wonderful, very stirring. I have sung this in church choir using sheet music but I vastly prefer this version. Thanks for posting this.

[PLBrayfield]

@momgenet Maybe you could say, for the same reason you might tap your foot in time with the music, because you feel the pulse of the music. Also, since the singers sit in a square, the leader in the middle is not equally visible to all, so keeping time 'visibly' this way helps the group stay together. Finally, some of us do it just because it's the custom for Sacred Harp singers to beat the music this way. TRADITION!

[PLBrayfield]

@VocalMusicology Any YouTube viewers of Sacred Harp songs who are interested in this kind of technical discussion, please take note! Most, I think, only want to enjoy the music & don't much care if its Aeolian, Dorian etc.But all are welcome to listen & if they choose, comment, so, thanks for the info.