reubenstump - Posted - 10/21/2024:  11:20:18

Preface: I'm not a musical scholar of any sort, just someone who is drawn to certain types of music, some of which are vastly different. I'm an engineer by trade - scientific, high tech, etc. I'm drawn to some of the esoteric edges of science, such as astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and general relativity, all of which I studied at the undergraduate level. At the same time, I'm also strongly drawn to many of the simple edges - minimalist art, music, life, religion, etc. Backpacking for days or weeks at a time. Simplicity.

Forget the banjo. Forget any sort of built instrument. A lot of people didn't have instruments, homemade or otherwise. Even when they did, their particular sect may have frowned upon it. Their instruments were their voices, hands, and feet. Nothing more.

I haven't been able to find many of the tracks I have on CDs online, but here's one example. Many similar songs can be found in the Smithsonian and Lomax archives.

This is the version I have on CD, but it's not the CD as shown on youtube. Whatever. 0:00-5:40.
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Old Regular Baptists
youtube.com/watch?v=2y75AoJullY

Sheep, Sheep, Dontcha Know the Road
youtube.com/watch?v=RD_FHlTf-iM

Paul T R - Posted - 10/22/2024:  01:57:55

There's also Sacred Harp/shape note singing. See some at 23:25 of this Clifftop video. youtube.com/watch?v=YhmvVL3w3gs

It's been said that in places like Newfoundland, if there wasn't a fiddler, someone would sing the tunes/notes.

phb - Posted - 10/22/2024:  05:38:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paul R

It's been said that in places like Newfoundland, if there wasn't a fiddler, someone would sing the tunes/notes.

---

Would they then sing some nonsense lyrics or just some vowels? May be some lyrics for what usually is played as a fiddletune originated with this practice.

Paul T R - Posted - 10/22/2024:  09:28:17

quote:

---

Originally posted by phb

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paul R

It's been said that in places like Newfoundland, if there wasn't a fiddler, someone would sing the tunes/notes.

---

Would they then sing some nonsense lyrics or just some vowels? May be some lyrics for what usually is played as a fiddletune originated with this practice.

---

Sort of. "Diddle-eye-diddle-eye ..." Just nonsense that fits the tune.

Tuedelband - Posted - 10/23/2024:  04:29:05

Nice topic.



As I have always loved singing, and the north is not far away,

where some old traditions have been preserved,

I would like to share my most beautiful finds with you.



the Icelandic two or quint chants are incredibly fun to sing.

the love of a bottle:

youtube.com/watch?v=BZlthQXpTTA

love for Iceland:

youtube.com/watch?v=yEsvsKPoydk

youtube.com/watch?v=tdTM6XaRMXE



Swedish kulning

wonderful:

youtube.com/watch?v=gd6OTj-KXvA

youtube.com/watch?v=hyfdkvvzyzQ



The seeds with their yoik.

I was told that every child is given its own yoik at birth.

No banjo but a song!

youtube.com/watch?v=0JNrFlPRQdQ

youtube.com/watch?v=kkgRANqb0m...gIA%3D%3D



Have fun listening.