Re: RE: Jewish Folk Music?

[QuelliPG <QuelliPG...>]

In a message dated 3/3/98 9:40:35 PM, you wrote:

<< it served to help 
people learn the text even when they didn't know how to read it, or what it 
meant. And is that also not the goal of the nusach? >>

That is one of the goals of congregational melodies, whether it be Sultzer or
Friedman (to help us remember the words).  That is not the goal of nusach.
Nusach standardizes the  parts of the service that are CHANTED by the sh'liach
tzibur, so that you could go into a synagogue anywhere in the world and lead a
service, and if a person walked out of a time travel machine and into your
service, they would know exactly whether it was shabbat shacharit or musaf of
Rosh Hashana or a weekday afternoon just by hearing the nusach you were using.
Every temple and synagogue has different tunes for congregational singing and
different variations of tunes as they become (you'll pardon the expression)
bastardized.  But nusach remains consistant.  No, they're not miSinai
literally, but they have been around long enough that they are universally
accepted.   As far as using new tunes for congregational melodies, I'm all for
it!  Especially the "Gershonian" ones.  Thanks for including me in that group!
And you're right that songleaders should know more about pre-Debbie Friedman
Jewish music!  We have such a rich musical heritage!
Raquel