Meaning of Alternate Singing in Music
Alternate singing, also known as antiphonal singing, refers to a musical practice where two choirs or singers take turns singing or respond to each other in a call-and-response manner. This style of singing has a long history and can be found in various cultures and musical traditions.
In antiphonal singing, the choirs or singers alternate between singing different parts of a song or even half lines of verses. This technique creates a dynamic and interactive musical experience, with each group or individual responding to the other. Antiphonal singing has been used in both folk and liturgical music, and descriptions of this practice can be found in the Old Testament.
Examples of alternate singing can be found in the folk music of modern Yemenite Jews, African and African American folk music, and eastern European folk music. It has also been utilized in large polychoral compositions by composers such as Giovanni Gabrieli and Johann Sebastian Bach.
Overall, alternate singing adds a unique texture and expressive element to music, allowing for a dialogue-like interaction between different voices or groups of singers.
Sources: 'Antiphonal singing | Call-and-response, Choral, Polyphony...'
Two choirs singing in alternation in a religious service. The response made by one part of the choir to another, or the congregation responding to the priest in a Roman Catholic service.
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