Two new tunes

[Robert Vaughn]

Attached find two tunes that I have recently written. I have chosen these two because (1) it seems we've been kind of quiet lately, and (2) I thought they might be interesting for the following reasons.

 

The first tune is MOUNT NEBO. It is a minor tune composed "in the spirit of" old PISGAH (58, Sacred Harp). PISGAH is and always has been one of my favorite tunes. It is my "go to" tune for singing all hymns C.M on the fly. I actually sing it more in non-SH contexts than I ever lead it at singing conventions. MOUNT NEBO is not a minorization of PISGAH. I just say "in the spirit of", and I think this will be seen when you look at the tune. One afternoon I was thinking of how good a tune PISGAH is, and wondering what a minor PISGAH would be like. MOUNT NEBO is the result. I think the melody turned out very nice, and hope the harmonization will compliment and benefit it in actual singing by real people! (Named for Mt. Nebo in the Bible which is sometimes confused with Mt. Pisgah. I started this with "When I can read my title clear" after I got it going, but have decided to use Isaac Watts's hymn beginning "How condescending and how kind.")

 

NEW LONDON is a plain common meter tune named in memory of the New London (TX) School disaster of March 18, 1937. This year is the 75th anniversary. It is a very interesting subject in itself:

http://www.newlondonschool.org/

The reason I picked this tune to send to the list is because it was composed in a different method than I normally use -- tenor first, then bass, treble and alto. NEW LONDON started with the bass line. I was meddling with a bass line I thought I would like and completed it as it suited me. Then I wrote the tenor, treble and alto to go with the bass. For that reason I thought it might be interesting for you composers and singers to look at and critique. I decided on the words "Savior Divine, we know thy name" by Philip Doddridge for the words (after the fact).

 

I will certainly welcome your comments and criticisms. Thanks. Have a blessed day.

 

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.

[Wade Kotter]

Robert:

I really like MOUNT NEBO and look forward to singing it with the words you've chosen; can't think of anything to suggest. I also like NEW LONDON, but in this case I do have a couple of suggestions. First, the harmonic rhythm comes across to me as a little static on the half notes at the beginning of each full measure, especially the first two full measures. You might want to explore some alternative chords or changes in the voicing at these spots. Perhaps this is in part a result of beginning with the bass line. Second, the first half  of the tune up to the hold has eighth note patterns in several places/parts on the third beat of the measure. My preference for symmetry leads me to expect a similar use of such patterns in the second half of the tune, but my "ear" is disappointed in the lack of such patterns until near the end of this section. Hope this makes sense. And finally, thanks for the pointer to information on the New London School disaster; it is indeed very interesting.

Take care and keep on singing. I'll have another new tune for you and the rest of the group to dissect in a few days.

Wade

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From: Robert Vaughn <rl_v...@yahoo.com>
To: Fasola songwriters <fasola-so...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 3:06 PM
Subject: [fasola-songwriters: 1049] Two new tunes

[Robert Vaughn]

Wade, thanks so much for your response. I appreciate your comments on NEW LONDON. I'll take a look at those first two measures. These problems could be a result of starting with the bass line, but I wouldn't rule out general incompetence!! Interesting comments about the symmetry as well. That never occurred to me. I have put the first stanza of words with MOUNT NEBO and will try to make a pdf and send it some time. Will look forward to your next offering. I have another I may post up, but I'm a little reluctant. It's a song I wonder whether "will sing" or perhaps just give someone nightmares.

Take care.

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.

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From: Wade Kotter <wadek...@yahoo.com>
To: "fasola-so...@googlegroups.com" <fasola-so...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: [fasola-songwriters: 1051] Two new tunes