Sacred Harp Singing

On 14-16 June 2012, the 33^rd annual National Sacred Harp Convention was held at the Firdt Christian Church in Birmingham, Alabama (USA).  Sacred Harp singing (also known as shape-note singing or “fasola” singing) is several centuries old and is based on four notes represented as shapes on the musical staff (Fa, Sol, La, and Mi).  The singing is always acapella and is paced by a rhythmic chopping motion of the forearm.

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Here are two links if you wish to read more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Harp

http://fasola.org/introduction/short_history.html