Extended family get together in 1006. 18 folks attending.

At 1pm, 4 of the set up group were on their mobile devices plus me taking pictures of them.

A hike with Billy and Naomi.

Bluff point is in Groton, Connecticut about an hour and 40 minute drive. Beautiful spot just past Westerly. Very busy on a warm sunny afternoon.

After, we had coffee at a lovely bookshop in Westerly and ran into a group of women dressed in kaftans and red curly wigs who claimed they were one of 70 groups in America who celebrate the landlord Mrs. Roper from the ancient sitcom Three’s Company.

Some fine pizza at Pasquale’s for dinner. Some of it went splat and they made us another pizza. Great service.

A gathering at the Eisenbergs in Newport to celebrate the start of Rosh Hashanah. Food (turkey x 2, soup with matzo balls, etc.) supplied primarily by Marcia. Brisket by George, desserts contributed by many recipes (including honey cake from Michelle and apple cake from Sharon).

19 people and 2 dogs in attendance.

A lovely and communal evening. Many thanks to the Eisenbergs for hosting.

Lovely gathering at the Eisenberg’s

Weekend event in Newport and the rest of the island. Each day coaches and four plus period dressed passengers drive a different path through the island. Today (Friday) the course came along Wapping Road. We thought that would be the closest and least crowded viewing spot. We called Greg of Rocky Brook Orchard to ask if we could park on his lot. He kindly gave permission (note: the orchard will open in about 2 weeks).

Viewing group consisted of George, Michelle, Peggy, Stuart, Jeff and Sharon. After, adjourned to Anthony’s for lunch.

Marcia is just AMAZING.

Six Thomas Dambo Trolls were recently installed at Filoli Gardens. We visited them as an Anniversary Adventure on a perfect NorCal summer day. Each Troll has a name and description nearby.

Fine day starting at Sol’s in Berkeley. TK joined after suggesting. Well done.

Then to BAMFA, and finally, Berkeley Bowl, first visit. Would go again and again if a “bit” closer.

TK recommended

An alternative to taking photos and mounting under glass.

Some of the modern ones are of a style we have not seen, art pieces.

This post will be updated with each of the three not covered in the first post on concerts.

July 11: The Gesualdo Six. A cappella

July 12: Karen Slack, African Queens

July 20: Lelia Josefowicz plays Beethoven and Debussy

The Gesualdo Six

Karen Slack

Lelia Josefowicz

Blithewold Mansion

56th year. Started with a pitch for funds to the non-profit

starts with two pieces based on shape note music. explained in some detail at the end of the blog.

brass concert on lovely grounds

Shape music (also called shape-note singing) is a musical notation system designed to make it easier for singers—especially those without formal training—to read music. It originated in the early 19th century in the United States and became a major part of American sacred music, especially in rural and church settings.

🎶 What is Shape-Note Music?

Traditional music uses a five-line staff and round noteheads. Shape-note systems assign distinct shapes to each note of the musical scale (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti) to help singers recognize pitch relationships at a glance. The most common systems: 4-shape system (used in The Sacred Harp): fa, sol, la, mi 7-shape system (used in Christian Harmony): full major scale (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti)

🛑 4-Shape System (Sacred Harp)

Syllable

Shape

Description

Fa

▲ Triangle

Points up

Sol

○ Circle

Round like the sun

La

⬛ Square

Four-sided

Mi

◆ Diamond

Pointed

These four shapes repeat across octaves, so singers learn the pattern of shapes and sounds.

🌈 7-Shape System (Southern Gospel and Christian Harmony)

Syllable

Shape

Do

Triangle

Re

Half circle

Mi

Diamond

Fa

Rectangle

Sol

Oval

La

Square

Ti

Star

📸 Visual Example

Here’s a simplified version of the 4-shape scale:Fa Sol La Fa Sol La Mi Fa ▲ ○ ⬛ ▲ ○ ⬛ ◆ ▲

This system allows singers to sight-read more easily, especially in group settings with no accompaniment. It’s still used today in Sacred Harp conventions, gospel singing schools, and folk music revivals.

Would you like a printable PDF of a shape-note scale or an example song using shape notation?