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Show 60 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [ BULL. 75 which characterizes the most primitive vocal expression of uncivilized peoples. ( See Bull. 53, p. 7.) This interval is prominent also in the early music of civilization. The tone material of this song comprises a fundamental ( G), with its minor third and minor seventh- a tone material not previously noted by the writer. For convenience the song is analyzed as in the key of G minor, though it can scarcely be said to constitute a key in the accepted sense of that term. The rhythm of the notched- stick rattle is simple and does not vary in the songs recorded with its accompaniment. The rubbing stick is thrust downward upon the notched stick, producing a sharp, rasping sound, and as it is brought upward, preparatory to the next stroke, there is a similar but less pronounced sound, the downward stroke occupying a period of time slightly longer than that required for returning the rubbing stick to its original position. The sound produced by the upward motion varied with individuals, those who used he rattle with special energy producing, of course, a louder sound with the upward motion of the rubbing stick. The song under analysis is the only recorded Bear dance song in which the rattle and voice are not synchronous at the beginning of each count. In this song the tempo of the rattle is slightly slower than that of the voice. This and the song next following are examples of recent composition among the Utes. Fred Mart, the writers interpreter, said that he composed these songs " in dreams." This manner of composing songs was customary in the old days and has been noted among many tribes of Indians. The usage among Chippewa and Sioux is noted in Bulletin 53, page 37, and Bulletin 61, page 59. It is not uncommon among the Utes at the present time. Concerning the origin of this song, Mr. Mart said: " I dreamed that I was at a Bear dance; there was a great crowd, but they were strangers to me and did not address me. All were singing this song and I learned it from them. I sang it while I was still asleep and was singing it aloud when I awoke. After that I remembered the song." In explanation of the words, he said: " Many Utes wear a flat, polished shell suspended around their necks, and at the Bear dance they tie* a weasel skin to this shell. The idea of the word is, ' Dance harder so your weasel skin will swing faster/" Mr. Mart taught this song to the singers at a Bear dance, and when it was sung the old people mistook it for an old song. It was necessary for him to sing it only two or three times with the singers at the drum, after which he led them in the singing of it. When recording the song, he shouted between the renditions, " Dance harder, Red Stick," as though addressing a dancer, and " That is the way to dance," it being customary to urge the dancers in this manner. |