You also have to remember the time in which Sacred Harp was used and what it was used for (a teaching tool in many places) and the people who sung it. Shape notes in general were used to help teach people how to read music, and the people who sung shape note were not usually trained musicians. That being the case, many of them probably wouldn't know what formal conducting was, and it would have been distracting. The leader is more just "beating time" rather than conducting.
Lyrics: The God of glory sends his summons forth, Calls the south nations and awakes the north; From east to west the sovereign orders spread, Through distant worlds and regions of the dead: The trumpet sounds; hell trembles; heav'n rejoices Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices.
It's how the group keeps time. The leader sets the time and others in the group often keep time with their own hands; helps the group stay together on rhythm.
Its a way for the entire group to keep time and the leader will sometimes remind the others if they are going to skip to another verse by giving the number. It is more tradition than anything but it works better than tapping your foot because everybody can keep track.
Actually I forgot to mention this but if you know anything about music or conducting they are all conducting in cut time or alla breve even though the music is not written in cut time.
You also have to remember the time in which Sacred Harp was used and what it was used for (a teaching tool in many places) and the people who sung it. Shape notes in general were used to help teach people how to read music, and the people who sung shape note were not usually trained musicians. That being the case, many of them probably wouldn't know what formal conducting was, and it would have been distracting. The leader is more just "beating time" rather than conducting.
Lyrics:
The God of glory sends his summons forth,
Calls the south nations and awakes the north;
From east to west the sovereign orders spread,
Through distant worlds and regions of the dead:
The trumpet sounds; hell trembles; heav'n rejoices
Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices.
Praise the Lord!
It's how the group keeps time. The leader sets the time and others in the group often keep time with their own hands; helps the group stay together on rhythm.
Love Sadhbh's face after the rests.
The director. You are all angel's.
Agreed. Originally when shape-note singing was at its height musical literacy was also at it's highest rate ever in the U.S.
Its a way for the entire group to keep time and the leader will sometimes remind the others if they are going to skip to another verse by giving the number. It is more tradition than anything but it works better than tapping your foot because everybody can keep track.
That was awesome.
Actually I forgot to mention this but if you know anything about music or conducting they are all conducting in cut time or alla breve even though the music is not written in cut time.
Heaven's choir.
Why the arm movement?
Keeping the beat