Amazing Grace

The song is common among Christian congregations and this short essay will discuss two different versions of amazing grace.

Amazing Grace Version 1

 This version of the Amazing Grace sang by Fellowship Independent Baptist church contains the usual musical tunes of Amazing Grace. The congregation sings the song with the help of a chorister. It is an Acapella version and does not contain any musical instruments. None of the musical components of the song is innovative and the versions retain its aesthetic theme and composure throughout the entire song (Amazing Grace 1 mp3). The congregation sings along with the lead singer hence it is not multifaceted. From the beginning to the end of the song, the tone is level with no emphasis at any section of the song hence the song ends up being flat with very minimal variations here and there.

Amazing Grace Version 2

The first version sang by New Bethel Baptist church contains call and response with syncopation. Call and response is closely associated with Black American musical customs namely blues and hip-hop (Music 505 lecture). In some sections of the song, the phrasing sounds like a musical conversation where the lead singer chants out, ‘ Amazing grace how sweet it sounds’ and the backgrounds voices  reiterate  with an answer , ‘yeaaah, amazing grace, sounds, grace, how sweet it sounds’. The main voice goes on to lead the rest of the song in the same phrasing while the rest of the congregations joins in with a reply harmonizing  the sound of call and response. In terms of syncopation, the rhythmic stress gives it an overall tune and its musical language. In addition, it has a blue tonality (Amazing Grace 2 mp3).

References

Amazing Grace 1 mp3

Amazing Grace 2 mp3

Music 505 lecture