shape note

noun

1. a musical note in which the degree of the scale is indicated by the shape of the note's head.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shape note¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

He accomplished this through the establishment of shape note singing schools, which carried out his musical vision.

From Literature

The result was that the original hymn style became the purview of the shape note singing schools, mostly in the South, where they flourished for many years.

From Literature

Tunes in the shape note tradition, simple Shaker melodies and the New England “primitive” style will take the audience on a journey discovering holiday fare from the variety of traditions that combine to create America’s musical heritage.

From Seattle Times

In 2017, she took over a disused Lancashire mill for a performance that combined traditional English shape note singing and Sufi chanting.

From BBC

“That leads me very far afield, ranging from old-time traditional music, folk music, bluegrass, country, shape note singing, gospel music, the black tradition in church music, to the most astringent, acrid, dodecaphonic modern classical music that I regularly inflict on my poor unsuspecting audience, much to their chagrin.”

From The Guardian