The blog category is expanding to include “General Sight Singing” and “Song-Along Song” posts.
What are shape notes? They are a special vocal notation that works with solfege to make sight singing easier. Specifically, we will use the seven-note shape note system. We will also explore Kodaly rhythmic syllables in the Shape Notes and Solfege posts.
Solfege remains one of the oldest and most reliable strategies that singing teachers have. Shape notes are newer, but still have been around since the 18th century. However, solfege is at the core of the shape note system, and the two work together for effective, statistically proven sight singing success.
This category includes posts on melodic intonation. Like the Singing in Tune Blog Category, the Shape Notes and Solfege Blog Category has sing-along songs.
In both cases, the sing-along sound tracks create sound models to train the ear. Singing in Tune deals with harmonic intonation while this blog category deals with melodic intonation.
The sing-along songs use synthetic voices rather than actual voices. Research has shown that this will help with the ability to identify and produce absolute pitch information. For more information, read Why Use a Synth Voice Instead of Real Voices.
Harmonic and melodic intonation tune in essentially different ways. Harmonic tuning focuses on the tone color of the harmonies. Conversely, melodic tuning focuses on the distance between melody notes.
The Cornerstone Category article:
More Shape Note Posts:
Sight Singing with Rhythmic Syllables:
Sight Reading Posts:
Sing-Along Song Posts:
The previous topic lists will be updated periodically. See the post grid below for the full list and full descriptions with featured images.
– Geoffrey Keith
© 2022 Geoffrey Keith
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Do you want to sing the charming song “London Bridge Is Falling Down?” In this article, you’ll get these essentials: 1) a sing along video of “London Bridge Is Falling Down,” 2) a lead sheet version of the lyrics, 3) easy-to-read shape note sheet music with a sing along soundtrack. Keep reading to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Are you looking for the beautiful song “Ode to Joy?” In this post, you’ll get the essentials: 1) a sing-along video of the song, 2) a popular version of the lyrics in English, 3) and sheet music with easy-to-read shape notes and a sing along soundtrack. Keep reading “Singing Beethoven’s Beautiful Ode to Joy” to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Are you looking for the popular “Old Lang Syne” song? In this post, you’ll get the essentials: 1) a video of the song, 2) the lyrics, and 3) sheet music with easy-to-read shape notes and a sing along soundtrack. In addition, if you’re asking, “What in the world does the title ‘Old Land Syne’ mean?” I’ll answer that question as well. Keep reading “Hail the New Year with the Popular Old Lang Syne Song” to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Do you want to sing the lyrics to “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel?” In this post, you’ll get the essentials: 1) the complete lyrics, 2) a video, and 3) an easy-to-read shape note score with a sing along song track. Keep reading “Celebrate Christmas with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!” to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
![Angels We Have Heard on High - A Powerful Carol of Joy [Words] - Christmas Bear Playing Piano](https://successmusicstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Angels-We-Have-Heard-on-High-A-Powerful-Carol-of-Joy-Words-Christmas-Bear-Playing-Piano-1024x818.jpg)
Do you want to learn to sing “Angels We Have Heard on High?” In this article, you’ll get the essentials: 1) a video of the song “Angels We Have Heard on High,” 2) the “Angels We Have Heard on High” words, and 3) an easy-to-read shape note score with a sing along song track. Keep reading to celebrate with Christmas music! Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Do you want to know the words to Joy to the World? Would you like to learn how to sing or play it? In this post, you’ll get the essentials: 1) all the words to the song, 2) two videos (one for the song itself and one for easy piano), and 3) easy-to-read shape note sheet music with a sing along song track. Keep reading Joy to the World – A Heavenly Song of Celebration to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Do you want to sing Deck the Halls? In this post, you’ll get the essentials: 1) a video of Deck the Halls, 2) the full lyrics, and 3) easy-to-read shape note sheet music with a sing along song track. Keep reading “Deck the Halls – A Jubilant Christmas Carol” to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Do you want to know the words to the spectacular US Star Spangled Banner? Would you like to learn how to sing or play it? In this post, you’ll get the essentials: 1) all four verses for The Star Spangled Banner song lyrics, 2) a video of Whitney Houston’s version of the song, and 3) easy-to-read shape note sheet music with a sing along song track. Keep reading to learn the American national anthem lyrics and music. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you want to sing Silent Night? In this post, you’ll get the essentials: 1) three videos, 2) the full lyrics, and 3) easy-to-read shape note sheet music with a sing along song track. Keep reading The Beautiful Silent Night Carol [Videos] to learn more. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you have a hard time singing rhythm? Would you like to be able to keep time? Music has many aspects, but none so fundamental as notes and rhythms. Without them, the music doesn’t go. However, many vocalists struggle with singing in time. In “Singing Rhythm” we’ll look at different ways to help train you to perform accurately. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.