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Show DBNSMORE] NORTHERN UTE MUSIC 131 CHARACTERISTICS OF SONGS In thfc tabulated analysis of these songs ( p. 141) we note that two-thirds are major in tonality- a characteristic which is commonly associated with cheerfulness. The upward tendency of the melodies is shown by the fact that only two of the songs begin on an interval higher than the fifth, and yet 13 of the songs have a compass of more than five tones. This compass could only be attained by an ascent above the initial tone. This is a contrast to a large proportion of songs analyzed in which the first tone is the highest occurring in the melody. The melodic material is scanty. Eleven of the 15 songs contain four or less scale- degrees, three are on a five- toned scale, and one contains the octave complete except the sixth and seventh. None of the songs are harmonic in structure and a large majority are purely melodic. Two- thirds of the songs begin with an upward progression, and 60 per cent of the entire number of intervals are ascending intervals. The average interval contains 2.9 semitones. This is also the average interval in the songs of the Chippewa Mide', whose fundamental idea is somewhat parallel to that represented by these songs. As stated in a previous work ( Bull. 45, p. 13), " the Mlde' ( Grand Medicine) is the native religion of the Chippewa * * *. Its chief aim is to secure health and long life to its adherents, and music forms an essential part of every means used to that end." Also ( p. 20), " The power of the Mlde' is exerted through a combination of two mediums, music and medicine.'' Observing the rhythmic characteristics of this group, we find that four- fifths of the songs begin with an upward interval and contain a 2- 4 division in the first measure. This occurred aiso in 42 per cent of the Chippewa MXde' songs and in 55 per cent of the Sioux songs used in treating the sick. ( Cf. in this connection Bull. 53, p. 10.) All the songs contain a change of time. This occurs in all but one of the similar songs and in about three- fourths of the Mlde' songs. Fourteen of these songs have one or more rhythmic units, all bu^ one of the Sioux songs containing such units and 87 per cent of the Mlde' songs having the same peculiarity. These songs were sung slower than similar songs among the other tribes mentioned. Summary.- From these comparisons it is found that songs used in the treatment of the sick among the three tribes analyzed have more resemblance to each other than to other groups of songs, suggesting a correspondence between the content of the song and the form of its musical expression. |