Re: Jewsih Folk Music?

[QuelliPG <QuelliPG...>]

I don't like the term "new American nusach" at all.  Nuschaot refer to
specific musical modes.  When a service is chanted, a specific mode, a
specific scale is used for each section of the service and specific to the day
and time of day.  There are contemporary songs and liturgical settings which
fit within each mode, including some of Jeff and Debbie's and others'
including my own.  To call all contemporary liturgical settings "new Amer.
nusach" implies that they all fit in a particular musical mode and also that
they are interchangable with traditional nusach.  While in many places they
ARE used in place of traditional nusach, they do not necessarily reflect the
correct nusach.  In more traditional synagogues, they would be reserved for
non-traditional settings (youth service, family retreats, etc.)  They are
great educational tools for teaching people the words and in many cases the
meanings of the prayers.  And yes, they are usually more fun to sing than the
traditional melodies.  But they are NOT nusach.  

On another topic, one of my pet peeves is the way people sing Adon Olam.  I
used to think it was fun to sing it to all kinds of irreverent tunes,
especially since its iambic pentameter rhythm allows it to fit easily to
almost any tune.  But after studying the text with a rabbi friend in Detroit a
few years ago, I am no longer able to do that.  And when my kids sing it to
the Gopher's rouser (go U of M) at their day school or to Gilligan's Island
theme it drives me crazy!  This prayer is a strong declaration of faith in
God.  The first half speaks of God as all powerful, all-knowing, creator.  THe
second half speaks of a personal God who is protector, refuge in  times of
need, etc.  It is a powerful message that God is and can be both things at the
same time.  I'm working on a melody that reflects these 2 moods/images of God.
Does anyone else have either a great melody or an opinion on this???
Raquel (singer/songwriter/music teacher/Jewish educator/occasional cantorial
soloist/etc. etc.  sorry I never introduced myself)