The Sacred Harp

It is one of America's oldest and least known musical genres, known as 'Shape Note Singing.' It began in 19th Century New England and found it's way to the American South. Singing for the joy of singing, it is a vocal genre with deep roots in community traditions and religious expression, relying exclusively on the 'sacred harp.'

Producers: Dan Kruse, Andrew Brown
Photographer/Editor: Andrew Brown
Sound Recordist: Galen McCaw

[custerranch]

As a conventional music reader, I'm having a little trouble wrapping my mind around the 4-note shape system too. My tendency is to read the notes based on the staff position rather than their shapes. Hard to make the transition.

[griffinc]

It appears that they are more about the singing and doing something with other people than the worship. If that's the case then better just stick a fork in it.