shape note

noun

1. a musical note in which the degree of the scale is indicated by the shape of the note's head.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shape note¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

Tunes in the shape note tradition, simple Shaker melodies and the New England “primitive” style will take the audience on a journey discovering holiday fare from the variety of traditions that combine to create America’s musical heritage.

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In 2017, she took over a disused Lancashire mill for a performance that combined traditional English shape note singing and Sufi chanting.

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“That leads me very far afield, ranging from old-time traditional music, folk music, bluegrass, country, shape note singing, gospel music, the black tradition in church music, to the most astringent, acrid, dodecaphonic modern classical music that I regularly inflict on my poor unsuspecting audience, much to their chagrin.”

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I highly recommend trying shape note!

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People can find their nearest sacred harp/shape note singings at fasola.org.

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