Shape Note Singing

It's interesting to note that over the years I've developed a distinct preference for a very specific vocal style. Listen to Derroll Adams, certain numbers of the Harry Smith collection, and, you guessed it, Will Oldham, and a common sound emerges. And I don't think it's as simple as lumping them all into the Appalachian influence genre, as one is wont to do.

Recently, The Partner smartly picked up on the strange likeness to Sacred Harp or Shape Note singing which emerged from spirituals of the south. The initial idea was that vocals could be learned quickly and easily if notations were written as shapes and sung as syllables. "Syllables and notes of a shape note system are not tied to particular pitches (e.g. fa to C) rather, they depend on the key of the piece, so that the tonic note of the key always has the same syllable (fa) and for the other notes of the scale*."

What seemed to emerge was a very peculiar and particular way of "shaping" the sung notes. Listen closely. Even if there isn't time to comprehend it in its entirety, shape note singing is certainly worth a listen and is definitely an influence to be given ample attention.