The four shape system

We use a four shape system:

The four-shape system syllables, used by Sacred Harp singers, replace the first three notes of the do re mi syllables with fa sol la, and the mi replaces ti. Shape note singers only learn one scale, but it works for all songs and is moveable.

We sing for fun, not performance, so we don’t always get it “right,” but we mostly do, and even those songs that aren’t sung perfectly are still rewarding, as the music and poetry are lovely.

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An example two-part shape note hymn from the American Church Harp (1856):