This first blog is not for the seasoned vet. It is meant for the newby. So if you consider your self a vet, then by all means share with the class. I wanted to place some basic information here (because I feel comfortable with that), in hopes to strike up some good healthy and friendly information sharing.
So if you want to participate, please don’t belittle any other post, or mine. That isn’t our way. Show some love and teach if you can.
With that said here we go. Norther Style Pow Wow singing is not something new. I know there are probably many people who visit Native American Pow Wows all over the country and they are under the assumption that this is something new. That it is something commercial. Just because you paid to get into the Pow Wow doesn’t mean that it is always commercial. Not all Nations have a nice arbor and they want to Pow Wow so they do what they have to to carry on their ways.
Northern Style Pow Wow singing is very old, and while it has evolved over the years with different bands and personalities. There are some common denominators that will most likely always stay the same.
1. The majority of Northern Style Pow Wow competition singing (notice I said most) takes place at a standard sitting drum. The drum varies from drum maker to drum maker. I have seen drums made with Buffalo hide, Moose hide, Bull/Cow hide, and even horse hide. That is up to the drum maker and the drum group and really should be left up to another post.
2. The songs are sung in two parts. There is a lead to each “push up” and a melodic second that follows. Each song has it own feeling and purpose. You can usually tell immediately by the sound of the song what it is meant for.
3. The songs are usually sung either 4 or 6 times through.
4. Most songs will contain honor beats, which have their own symbolism base upon the song and band.
5 The song is supposed to end by all drummers in one final beat. The lead singer doesn’t stop first and then everyone else just stops when they feel like it.
These are just the basics, it gets much more specific with each band and style of song. I am hoping that others will join in the blog and help those who will want to learn. As I said before this blog is more for the newby.
On a side note, for the newby who wants to learn to sing or the non Native who just want to learn about Native Music. Please understand that real learning will come from speaking with an elder who is willing to teach you. Learning comes from sitting down and actually singing and feeling the Native Music strike a chord in your soul. You will only get the basics from a blog like this.
