Re: [fasola-songwriters: 1054] Digest for fasola-songwriters@googlegroups.com - 1 Message in 1 Topic

[Charlie O]

> "The Trumpet," the world's most popular periodical
> dedicated to compositions in the Shape Note tradition (also, I believe, the
> only one).

Strictly speaking that's not true.

It may be the only periodical for "old book" four shape songs being
published currently.

However, there are still publishers doing "new book" seven shape
annual song books of new gospel songs, to be used at singing
conventions. That is every bit as much shape note singing, but a
different style.

Charlie Obert

On Sat, Apr 21, 2012 at 8:32 PM, <fasola-so...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>   Today's Topic Summary
>
> Group: http://groups.google.com/group/fasola-songwriters/topics
>
> near the last call for submissions for June and Index for the Trumpet [1
> Update]
>
>  near the last call for submissions for June and Index for the Trumpet
>
> Will Fitzgerald <will.fi...@gmail.com> Apr 20 08:27PM -0700
>
> Hello, songwriters — time to pull out your best compositions and submit for
> the June edition of "The Trumpet," the world's most popular periodical
> dedicated to compositions in the Shape Note tradition (also, I believe, the
> only one).
>
> Send your submissions to e...@singthetrumpet.com
>
> Also, behold: a brand-new index to The Trumpet:
> http://singthetrumpet.com/trumpet-index/ Many thanks to Clarissa Feltrow
> for assistance in compiling this index. It is her bright idea, and her
> eagle eye. (Let me know if you see any errors).
> --
> Will
>
>
>
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[Will Fitzgerald]

Thanks, Charlie,

Of course, I was just funning, and meant the four shape/dispersed
harmony tradition.

Will

--
Will

[Penny Anderson]

I will pop up from lurking long enough to ask about the phrase
"dispersed harmony", which I've never heard before. Where does this
terminology come from, and what is its technical meaning?

Thanks,

Penny

[Will Fitzgerald]

Penny,

Robert L Vaughn did a blog post on this, with quotations from a
variety of sources:

http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com/2007/12/dispersed-harmony.html

But I think there are three clusters of meaning, not independent of one another:

(1) the parts are relatively independent of one another, that is,
tending more towards polyphony (multiple voices) than homophony
(single voice, dependent on the tenor/melody)

(2) the chord structures are 'far apart' rather than 'close' (so, the
opposite of close harmony, which is typical of gospel music, and most
other standard, Western music). If there's a gap in the chord that
could be filled, the chord is dispersed rather than close

(3) parts can 'cross' (for example, the treble line can go lower than
the tenor line), something which is very unlikely in close harmony

Other wiser heads might chime in.

Will

--
Will

[Robert Vaughn]

Since our family had a leg in this "little book" tradition, I tried my hand at some songs in this style. It is more restricted than writing in Sacred Harp style, in my opinion -- or at least it is if you're an amateur trying to follow their rules. Bass takes the root position, and alto & tenor support the melody, while filling in the chord (triad). I have a couple of songs that have been printed in this year's "Celestial Chords" by Texas Legendary Music Company. It's something composers might try if it poses any interest at all to them. The companies who publish this music (Jeffress-Phillips, Leoma, Cumberland Valley, Texas Legendary and a few others) are always looking for new songs.

His glories sing,

Robert Vaughn
Mount Enterprise, TX
http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com
Ask for the old paths, where is the good way
http://mtcarmelbaptist.blogspot.com
For ask now of the days that are past...
http://oldredland.blogspot.com
Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land.

---

From: Charlie O <obel...@gmail.com>
To: fasola-so...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 8:03 AM
Subject: Re: [fasola-songwriters: 1056] Digest for fasola-so...@googlegroups.com - 1 Message in 1 Topic

[Robert Vaughn]

Will, I think your "three clusters of meaning" capture what I understand to be dispersed harmony. Perhaps it would also help to contrast the dispersed harmony of the Sacred Harp style with the close harmony of the gospel style. I have some definitions/comments here:

http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com/2009/11/toward-definition.html

 
Warren Steel puts it this way: In close harmony, the alto and tenor parts largely parallel the melody so that all three parts may be played on a keyboard, while the bass part, though not melodically tied to the soprano, fulfills a harmonic function. (paraphrase, not a direct quote)

His glories sing,

Robert Vaughn
Mount Enterprise, TX
http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com
Ask for the old paths, where is the good way
http://mtcarmelbaptist.blogspot.com
For ask now of the days that are past...
http://oldredland.blogspot.com
Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land.

---

From: Will Fitzgerald <will.fi...@pobox.com>
To: fasola-so...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 8:57 AM
Subject: Re: [fasola-songwriters: 1059] Digest for fasola-so...@googlegroups.com - 1 Message in 1 Topic