Guest, (I think there are 2 in this thread so I'd like to know which is which) I don't disagree.

There are many ways of singing basically the same music (music from the same book) and 2 entirely different types of music covered by the same term 'shape note.' There are clear differences in the basic music contained in the 4 shape & the 7 shape books. I make the book distintion because I'm not clear which you are talking about.

The Sacred Harp in a 4 shape book that northern revivalists incorrectly treat as synonymous with shape note. There are black Sacred Harp singers in the Wiregrass area of Alabama. They have 2 recordings that New World Records released. "The colored sacred harp" and "Desire for piety" Their tradition, community & style is very different from the white Sacred Harp. There are some small groups as well in Mississippi. I have not a clue what you mean by 'more developed tradition' but no one would call the tradition stronger, since most are afraid it may not last another generation. If the Delta singers you refer to also singing from this 4 note tradition I know some people who would like to connect with it.

The seven shape singing was until fairly recently far stronger all over the south that the four shape. It may still be, I don't know. From the late 19th cent on, many books were published using it, including the Southern Baptist, Broadman Hymnal. Just because it was so widespread, I'm sure it was used in both black & white settings that would have their own style of singing it.

So yes, the community is important, the cultural tradition is important. When you say one "tradition is most developed, and is generally considered the strongest living tradition" you have to clarify the underlay definition of what you mean by shape note. I don't know anyone who would make your claims of the 4 shape tradition. It might be valid of 7 shape.