Hymnody 101 Part 1 - Form & Style
Jan 6, 2016 15:42:09 GMT -5
laughingmooseinn, art, and 1 more like this
Post by mandojeff on Jan 6, 2016 15:42:09 GMT -5
From the intro thread:
I. Form/Style
First, don’t confuse form with style. Form has to do with the structure of the song. (Verses, bridges, choruses, etc.). Style refers to the way in which it’s sung (Country, Rock, Bluegrass, Modern, Classical, Traditional, etc.).
Okay. Form is just what you thing it is- the structure of a song. Is there a verse/chorus pattern? a first part, different second part, repeat of the first (ABA Form), etc. Hymns, as we think of them today in the Christian church are almost always verse/chorus, verse/chorus, etc.
A slight bit of history.. In part three, we'll get to this again, but it's important to remember
that general congregational singing has not always been standard-
particularly in the early/Medieval church. Much singing was done by a
single leader or a small subset/choir from the congregation. This (along
with cultural things, such as general literacy, etc) affects how songs
are written as well. The reason I bring this up here is that part of the
reason for the verse/chorus structure is for ease of memorization, whether by a few or the large group. Hymns did not originate with Christianity. Hymn simply means a 'song of praise' and most cultures in antiquity had songs they referred to as hymns- some religious, some civic, etc. Many of the early Christian hymns were based on the Psalms. As with everything else, these things changed as the church changed. The Protestant Reformation and the Great Awakening had major impact, of course.
The other side is where most of the changes, discussion, debate and, too often, dissension have occurred. Style is a very thorny issue and can become volatile quickly. This isn't limited to the church. Ask a hardcore country or bluegrass fan about various interpretations of standard songs.... A good example (though you likely don't need one): You're likely familiar with the hymn tune Amazing Grace. You can take the words and set them to the tune of House of the Rising Sun, thereby changing the melody and the mode/sonority from major to minor. Now add some electric guitars and drums.....Then prepare for a discussion with church leadership either praising your effort.... or not... Or change the tune back to the familiar and add bluegrass instrumentation, or classical string quartet. With each stylistic change/nuance, there are considerations and common cultural 'luggage', if you will. What style(s) (and its accompanying 'luggage') is appropriate in formal worship in a particular church is an ongoing discussion and will likely remain so. Part II coming soon.
I. Form/Style
First, don’t confuse form with style. Form has to do with the structure of the song. (Verses, bridges, choruses, etc.). Style refers to the way in which it’s sung (Country, Rock, Bluegrass, Modern, Classical, Traditional, etc.).
Okay. Form is just what you thing it is- the structure of a song. Is there a verse/chorus pattern? a first part, different second part, repeat of the first (ABA Form), etc. Hymns, as we think of them today in the Christian church are almost always verse/chorus, verse/chorus, etc.
A slight bit of history.. In part three, we'll get to this again, but it's important to remember
that general congregational singing has not always been standard-
particularly in the early/Medieval church. Much singing was done by a
single leader or a small subset/choir from the congregation. This (along
with cultural things, such as general literacy, etc) affects how songs
are written as well. The reason I bring this up here is that part of the
reason for the verse/chorus structure is for ease of memorization, whether by a few or the large group. Hymns did not originate with Christianity. Hymn simply means a 'song of praise' and most cultures in antiquity had songs they referred to as hymns- some religious, some civic, etc. Many of the early Christian hymns were based on the Psalms. As with everything else, these things changed as the church changed. The Protestant Reformation and the Great Awakening had major impact, of course.
The other side is where most of the changes, discussion, debate and, too often, dissension have occurred. Style is a very thorny issue and can become volatile quickly. This isn't limited to the church. Ask a hardcore country or bluegrass fan about various interpretations of standard songs.... A good example (though you likely don't need one): You're likely familiar with the hymn tune Amazing Grace. You can take the words and set them to the tune of House of the Rising Sun, thereby changing the melody and the mode/sonority from major to minor. Now add some electric guitars and drums.....Then prepare for a discussion with church leadership either praising your effort.... or not... Or change the tune back to the familiar and add bluegrass instrumentation, or classical string quartet. With each stylistic change/nuance, there are considerations and common cultural 'luggage', if you will. What style(s) (and its accompanying 'luggage') is appropriate in formal worship in a particular church is an ongoing discussion and will likely remain so. Part II coming soon.
I never really thought about the fact that hymns didn't necessarily originate with Christianity. I am enlightened!