FASOLAMIX

"FaSoLaMix" is an iOS app designed to teach Sacred Harp singing to newer singers. When someone wants to learn to sing, our instinct is usually to recommend that the inquirer go to a good singing and sit next to a strong singer. But not everyone lives near many all-day singings. Our intent is to give the listener the virtual experience of sitting next to a couple of strong singers in whichever section suits their voice. The app features high-quality recordings of many Sacred Harp songs where the mix of the four parts can be controlled manually. For example, a singer wanting to learn the treble line of a particular song could leave the treble track at full volume, mute the other three parts, and sing along with the solo treble part for practice. While the most obvious benefit will be to new singers, longtime singers will also find it useful and fun. For example, experienced singers may wish to mute one part and fill in that missing part with their own voice.

All proceeds from the sale of the app will be donated to the Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is the preservation and perpetuation of Sacred Harp singing and its traditions.

Promo codes for free downloads are available in limited quantities to singing communities that want to offer them to new singers. Please contact us at info@fasolamix.com to request them.

The app comes bundled with recordings of 24 songs, ranging in difficulty, all of which are regularly called at all-day singings and conventions. More recordings will become available periodically in the form of "song packs" which will generally include several additional songs.

Songs included:

FaSoLaMix is designed to be used with an open Sacred Harp book in your lap. Order one here.

Additional information about Sacred Harp singing and tradition can be found at fasola.org.

CREDITS

All songs from The Sacred Harp, 1991 "Denson" Revision, used by permission of its publisher, the Sacred Harp Publishing Company, Inc., Carrollton, GA.

All recordings made at Liberty Baptist Church, Henagar, Alabama.

Mark Godfrey - developer
Matt Hinton - designer, audio recording
Matt Goldman - audio engineering, mixing, mastering

Singers: Syble Adams, Cassie Allen, Hayden Arp, Lauren Bock, Judy Caudle, Danny Creel, Amber Davis, Jeannette DePoy, Scott DePoy, Alex Forsyth, Dennis George, Ricky Harcrow, Susan Harcrow, Bridgett Hill-Kennedy, David Ivey, Karen Ivey, Kelsey Ivey, Loyd Ivey, Richard Ivey, Rodney Ivey, Scott Ivey, Tony Ivey, Lillian Ann Jett, Jesse Karlsberg, Margaret Keeton, Nathan Rees, Linda Sides, Blake Sisemore, Jonathon Smith, Elene Stovall, Cindy Tanner, Ed Thacker, Nicholas Thompson, Allison Whitener, Kathy Williams, Jamey Wootten, Jared Wootten, Marlon Wootten, Marty Wootten, Shane Wootten, Terry Wootten

Special thanks to the Sacred Harp Publishing Company, Shane Wootten, Rodney Ivey, Nathan Rees, Jesse Karlsberg, Lauren Bock, and our families: Erica, Anna, Eli, and Lottie Hinton, Leigh Cooper, Cecil and Leon Godfrey. Thanks also to Liberty Church. And thanks to you for using the app!

If you would like to make a donation to help make additional recordings a reality, please contact us at info@fasolamix.com.

Disclaimer: The app is not intended to be a "perfect" representation of Sacred Harp singing with regard to pitch, tempo, nor "performance". Instead, it is intended to reflect dimly what actual Sacred Harp singing is, warts and all. In other words, it is meant to sound approximately like sitting down between a couple of experienced singers at a Sacred Harp singing - not like a concert or a recording session. Some of the songs are faster or slower and pitched higher or lower than is typical at a singing in Alabama, where these recordings were made. The only way to find out how things are done in Alabama (if you are curious) is to go there. Multiple times.