Shape notes are a musical notation designed to facilitate congregational and social singing. The notation became a popular teaching device in American singing schools during the 19th century.

Shape-note singing schools, held by itinerant singing masters in cabins, schools, and churches, taught thousands of families the rudiments of music in energetic a cappella three- and four-part harmony …

An old tradition that is alive and well in the Great Smoky Mountains, shape note or "Old Harp" singing blends a unique singing style with tunes from the old world.

Nineteenth century American song books that used notes in different shapes to aid singers and teach singing came to be known as "shape-note hymnals" and the style of singing from these "shape-note …

Shape notes are a variant system of Western musical notation whereby the note heads are printed in distinct shapes to indicate their scale degree and solmization syllable (fa, sol, la, etc.).

Students learn the four shapes used in Sacred Harp singing and “sing the shapes” of “Yankee Doodle.” In a key appropriate to their voices, they sing the melody part of “Chester,” a Revolutionary-era tune …

Mar 27, 2009 · Shape-note singers collectively sightread a form of solfege or solmization known as "fasola" before singing the words of each song. Different notes appear in standard musical notation …

Our mission is to provide clear, accessible resources that celebrate the diversity and beauty of shape-note singing, while fostering connections among singers of all backgrounds.

This movement did achieve the goal of getting music into public school curriculum, but it also almost extinguished the colorful, exciting tradition of shaped-note singing.

Dec 15, 2025 · "A Beginner’s Guide to Shape-Note Singing" (7th edition, 2024) by Lisa Grayson Cheat sheet for reading shape note sheet music, (updated November 2025) by Elena Conway