In a message dated 1/7/07 2:12:44 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:


> Does anybody know what "shaped notes"were/are?
> I heard of them but have never been able to figure out what they are,
> exactly.
>
>

Dear Country Garden:

I am no expert on shaped note singing but it gained popularity among the
southern populations in the 18th and 19th century who couldn't read music and
created sound based on the shape of the note.   I must defer to someone who can
explain it much better than I.   It is gorgeous music and was beautifully
illustrated in the movie Cold Mountain.   There was a special on the movie before it
was released with the cast and the members of the Alabama congregation who
sang in the movie.   It was quite evident that the actors really got into this
type of music with gusto.

Anita L. Henderson

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