Developed as a teaching tool, shape note singing became its own genre of American folk music. This method of singing gets its name from the different shaped note heads.
Each note head represents a different pitch. Therefore not only is the pitch indicated by its location on the staff, but also by the shape of the note head. Why these shapes?
The actual singing of this music at church retreats, revivals, and other meetings is very distinctive. It is not the refined choral sound many may think of; but it is very organic and prayerful in a different way. Let's take Amazing Grace as an example. Here is an example of a shape note singing convention:
The actual singing of this music at church retreats, revivals, and other meetings is very distinctive. It is not the refined choral sound many may think of; but it is very organic and prayerful in a different way. Let's take Amazing Grace as an example. Here is an example of a shape note singing convention:
It's a singing unique to this tradition and from the rural South and Appalachian regions of our country where the method developed and flourished.
Now listen to a choral arrangement sung by the Schola Cantorum of Westminster Choir College of Rider University: (This particular arrangement was commissioned in the weeks following the terrorist attacks on our country on that crisp fall morning in 2001. Westminster is in Princeton, NJ, a little over an hour from NYC)
Now listen to a choral arrangement sung by the Schola Cantorum of Westminster Choir College of Rider University: (This particular arrangement was commissioned in the weeks following the terrorist attacks on our country on that crisp fall morning in 2001. Westminster is in Princeton, NJ, a little over an hour from NYC)
Certainly a different take on the tune, but nonetheless both are the NEW BRITAIN tune found in the Sacred Harp collection.
Further Reading and listening:
Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association continues this tradition and has recorded its history, which dates back into the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association YouTube channel
Further Reading and listening:
Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association continues this tradition and has recorded its history, which dates back into the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association YouTube channel