Intimate sacred Gatherings
Village Psalms
Invitation
This song experiments with several concepts from various music traditions. The verse melody follows an ascending/descending melody path beginning on the tonic, rising to explore the area of the fifth, moving to the octave tonic and the descending back to rest on the original tonic. These paths are present in Sufi music and many tribal expressions.
Chord progressions are minimal due to the bagpipe drone and harmony is represented by arpeggios vs chords.
Rhythm is composed of drums from several traditions and includes clapping in the tradition of flamenco palmas utilizing sordas and fuertes. The three quarter note beats are inspired by Australian Aboriginal “Dreamer” footsteps. the clave is present but not playing any traditional bell patterns.
Lead Us
This is another sonic color palette a more aggressive vocal style. I couldn’t really hear the click track on this so it’s a little out of time but that’s not really something I’m trying to nail down at this point.
Exculpation
This is a rough-out of a concept for the opening section of a V.P. ceremony and is a time for the musicians and the participants to prepare themselves for a sacred ceremony. This is where participants sanctify themselves by purging themselves of shame and worries and embrace a quiet spirit like God’s. In the first movement they may be laying on the floor progressing through a body work/breath prayer sequence while the instruments tune. Here the instruments would be playing and tuning their open strings to the drone. When they have finished tuning their playing would progress to a more improvisational approach to signify that they are tuned.
The next section would be a call to attention and action. The participants would be positioned in an upright posture and would take on the roll of palmas (clapping) to join the drums in an affirmation of solidarity with each other as well as bold intentions.