[HANASHIR:10360] Re: in general--accents

[BEBWH <BEBWH...>]

I think it may be important to keep in mind that for many of the 
children/adults we teach, music is the only exposure they have to the Hebrew 
language. I have found that after learning a song many people assume the 
accent used in a song is the correct way to pronounce the word and therefore 
carry that forward into their spoken Hebrew. As a songleader I was always 
taught the importance of knowing the words. We would never stand up and teach 
a song reading off the same songsheet as the group, or worse, not knowing the 
correct pronounciation (or meaning) of the lyrics. This is also important 
when teaching music whose lyrics are pesukim from the Chumash or Navi. I am 
sure we all agree that music teachers/songleaders are "teachers" too and we 
have an obligation to be true to the source. I'm sure there are many more 
examples of traditional songs that override this opionion but if we are 
creating the music it would seem appropriate to do it right the first time. 
In Aleynu we sing the word "Ba'Shamayim" with an emphasis on the Bet but if 
you were reading it you would emphasize the Mem. (hum here) I have actually 
heard Ein K'lokeynu sung with a different or more correct accent on the 
"Atah" but that particular problem is corrected through adaptation. Sometimes 
that won't work. There may be a precedent but it would seem more 
educationally sound to write music that allows the most correct 
pronounciation.
B. Herst

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+