Our friend Sarah invited us to a Sacred Harp singing yesterday (also known as shape-note singing). And how cool! What I learned (from both Sarah and the First-time-at-a Sacred-Harp-singing? sheet) is that this is one of the earliest of popular U.S. social events. People would (and still do) get together in churches and homes and sing, at the top of their lungs, church hymns in four part harmony. (Because, frankly, what else was there to do without electricity, rodeos, or gas grills?) And these aren't any old church hymns. They are poetic and often very dark-doomy and gloomy- enough to make you crack a smile on a regular basis. The gatherings were/are nondenominational and, in fact, were considered sinful by many church leaders due to the loud and cathartic nature of the singing. I can't tell you much about the actual music (it takes a while to learn) but there are four basic notes (in different shapes) that represent Fa, Sol, La, and Mi (Old Four-note English System) and after a while of following along, you are learning to sight sing. The sound is really stunning (even babies dig it) and the singing is really fun (and all the pros are helpful and friendly). I'm already looking for another one to go to!
Our friend Sarah invited us to a Sacred Harp singing yesterday (also known as shape-note singing). And how cool! What I learned (from both Sarah and the First-time-at-a Sacred-Harp-singing? sheet) is that this is one of the earliest of popular U.S. social events. People would (and still do) get together in churches and homes and sing, at the top of their lungs, church hymns in four part harmony. (Because, frankly, what else was there to do without electricity, rodeos, or gas grills?) And these aren't any old church hymns. They are poetic and often very dark-doomy and gloomy- enough to make you crack a smile on a regular basis. The gatherings were/are nondenominational and, in fact, were considered sinful by many church leaders due to the loud and cathartic nature of the singing. I can't tell you much about the actual music (it takes a while to learn) but there are four basic notes (in different shapes) that represent Fa, Sol, La, and Mi (Old Four-note English System) and after a while of following along, you are learning to sight sing. The sound is really stunning (even babies dig it) and the singing is really fun (and all the pros are helpful and friendly). I'm already looking for another one to go to!
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