Since my previous message I have been to Sidmouth folk week where I did some shape note singing from the Sacred Harp, and some West gallery music.

I went along to the workshops more in hope than with any great expectation of being able to join in.

I was quite surprised to be able to fit into the Altos, and to find I actually enjoyed the music if not the words.

The Sacred Harp harmonies can be powerful but rather wild. I do not know the musical terms to describe how they are related, but some are more outlaws than inlaws by comparison with the sounds I am used to, which are the uncontrived sound of folk club choruses.

Having sung with Altos I find that their part is written in the upper part of my range, and that many people think I sing too low for a woman. I know I could sing lower than the teenagers in the rock band I was associated with, but I assume that men's voices start higher then expand and deepen with age, and bulk.

I am much with the sentiments of

'Let every man so pitch his song
To help his neighbour sing along.
To each and all contentment bring
When all men sing.'

If it is the melody or a harmony, it is the singing together which creates something more than the sum of the parts