Music / by Charles S. Myers.

  • Myers, Charles S. (Charles Samuel), 1873-1946.
Date:
[between 1902 and 1909?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Music / by Charles S. Myers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/38 (page 249)
    Song III. This extremely simple song consists only of three notes Bp, c°, d°, with a broad descent glissando at the end of each verse. It begins with a prolonged c° and, after the intervention of the unimportant ascent to d, descends to Bp. I have two records (A and B) of this song sung by different natives. The following table gives the vibration-ratios of the two intervals formed between these three notes in four verses of the song: Record A. Record B. o 1 o i° to o O 1 o c°-Bp 1-112 1-079—1-090 1-113 ? 1-112 1-096— ? 1-101 1-121—1-092 1-115 1-083—1-106 1-130 ? —1-109 1-109 1-088—1-110 1-137 1 073—1-106 Average 1-112 1-087—1-102 1-120 1-094—1-102 The interval c°—Bp occurs three times in each verse and varies each time in size, generally increasing as the interval is repeated. Both tones tend to rise absolutely in pitch, the second more than the first. The average value of the interval c°—d° is 190 cents, while the interval c°—Bp varies from 153 to 167 cents. We may perhaps suppose that the final or larger value gave the singer most satisfaction and represents the interval he really intended to sing. It will be noted that the values 190 and 167 closely agree with the two different values of the interval used in descending the octave in Song I, viz. 196 and 173 cents. The final, resting, note (? = tonic) is clearly Bp. Hence we have a scale of three notes. Bp, c°, d°, the distance of successive notes from the tonic being 167 and 357 cents. The tempo of this song is not strict. The drum beats follow the enunciation of the syllable to which they belong. The long notes are accompanied by a rapid series of beats, again not beginning until after the note has been sounding for a short time. Song IV. This record contains a descent of a large fourth by four notes. The three intervals thus sung have the vibration-ratios of 1T35, 1T04, 1‘098, equivalent to 219, 172, 162 cents respectively. Reckoned from the initial note, the intervals consequently have the following cent- values: 0 219 391 553 It is curious, but probably accidental, that the interval between the first and third notes (391 cents) is almost exactly that of a just major third. Probably the lowest note is accidentally sharpened owing to its very low pitch. It is obvious from the record that the performer had great difficulty in singing it. The number of descending intervals appears to be entirely at the discretion of the singer. Sometimes fewer or sometimes more were sung than occurred in the one record which it was possible to investigate with care. Ultimately so low a note was reached that the singer stopped; he then whispered the sacred words given on p. 267. Song IV A. This is a very interesting song, in many respects different from the other Malu songs. It is far livelier in character, and the characteristic intervals instead of being whole tones are fourths and fifths. H. Vol. IV. 32