Common, short meters (puns intended)
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,509
    After finishing an annual cycle of Hymn Tune Introits, I'm beginning on Hymn Tune Communios.

    Although I'd really like to use Long Meter for the Communios as well, they are simply too short for that. I have a much easier time compressing language than stretching it out. I can't make the Communios long enough to fit into Long Meter without repeating a lot. And repeating, and repeating.

    So, I'm thinking about shorter meters, and am looking for input. If it were necessary to choose between Short Meter (6.6.8.6.), and Common Meter (8.6.8.6.), which would you choose and why?

    Thanks for your help!
  • rob
    Posts: 148
    Ha, me too: I finally just decided to split the difference with a 7.7.

    At least it's exposed the choir and congregation to some tunes with which they may not be as familiar (and wedded in their minds to a particular text).

    I currently have the opposite challenge with the likes of Videns Dominus. So far, I can only see the "story" developing over succeedings verses -- maybe with a part of the antiphon repeated somehow in a refrain, e.g. "Lazare veni foras", to keep it tied together? -- instead of keeping the antiphon contained in a single verse. Or, I suppose I could try a 10 or 11.

  • lmassery
    Posts: 422
    Methinks I would have more options for common meter at my church
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    Yes, common meter would allow for Amazing Grace to be sung every week! ;)
    Thanked by 1Kathy
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    My question is: why do they have to be in just one meter, either 66. 86 or 86. 86? Why not select from both of these (at least seasonally) to suit your needs. For that matter, why not 77. 77 or 87. 87? Or are iambic meters your strong preference? From my standpoint having a variety of meters makes possible a larger variety of hymn tunes which can be used. If it absolutely must be just one meter, however, I would probably opt for Common Metre (86. 86).
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,414
    How about 14 syllable English long metre? George Chapman used it to great effect in his XVI. century Iliads. Just the thing for our Lord's heroic acts. Are you up to it?
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,509
    Chuck, I know that for music types a single meter gets boring. My feeling about these texts is that they are a first step toward the propers. I want to make it possible for folks to have no excuse whatsoever for not using propers. With a single meter, pastors can feel free to use one tune for the whole first year, if that's what it takes.

    The feedback I've heard suggests that simplest is best. Boring to musicians, I know, but if it helps the pips to sing the proper texts (smushed and prodded into meter though they be), that's what I'll do.

    14 syllables! That would be even more repetitive, not to mention redundant...

    So it sounds like Common Metre--I'll try it.
  • lmassery
    Posts: 422
    Yay! I'll be able to use Where Charity and Love, The King shall Come, We walk by faith, King of Love, ST AGNES. Lots of good choices
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    Don't forget GILLIGAN'S ISLE :)
    Thanked by 3lmassery Aristotle Esguerra CHGiffen
Add a Comment