Learner's Group: Introduction the the Shapes

Our Learner's Group, which meets every third Monday from 7-7:30, now features lessons from experienced singers! Thanks to Will Fitzgerald, who kicked us off with an introduction to the shapes on February 20.



This lesson was perfectly timed with a very large class of beginning singers. Will started us off by raising our voices together, saying "We call this shape note music, but it's really music. The music is primary." We sang through a scale to emphasize the way it naturally breaks into FA SOL LA, FA SOL LA, MI FA. Will shared some history of how the shapes were developed, as well as some helpful mnemonics to remember the shapes.

The class sang through 49t and 49b to practice the shapes, first on the tenor line and then in full harmony.

Before closing the lesson I reminded singers that the shapes might take a while to get used to, but that with practice they will see the shapes become a tool rather than a hindrance.

Want to learn more about the shapes?
See p. 18 in the rudiments section of the Sacred Harp.
Read the wikipedia article. It describes the history of shape notes, 4 vs. 7 shape systems, and a fascinating study about the effectiveness of shape notes as a teaching tool.

Please join us for the next Learner's Group on March 19! The lesson will be on leading with Hal Eisen.