Futhark Song Teaching Album

The Futhark Song sets the Viking Runic Alphabet to the familiar tune of the Alphabet Song, with harmonies giving the names of the special Nordic characters. Two sets of harmonies present the piece first with a comfortable major key harmony, and then a haunting modal harmony.

This “Teaching Collection” contains the song, as well as all the materials you need to learn it, and to use it to teach yourself more about vocal harmony, and the Viking alphabet. Separate audio tracks isolate each harmony and combination of harmonies, so you can hear different mixes of each of the eight vocal lines.

This collection is a great start for anyone who wants to learn the piece, and especially for people who have never worked with modal music before and are interested in learning how it works.

Purchase on Bandcamp for $5

Track List

1. Futhark (Major): Alphabet Melody Alone
2. Futhark (Major): Alphabet Melody with Soft Harmony
3. Futhark (Major): Alphabet Harmony Alone
4. Futhark (Major): Alphabet Harmony with Soft Melody
5. Futhark (Major): Names Melody Alone
6. Futhark (Major): Names Melody with Soft Harmony
7. Futhark (Major): Names Harmony Alone
8. Futhark (Major): Names Harmony with Soft Melody
9. Futhark (Major): All four parts with Alphabet Melody Loudest
10. Futhark (Major): All four parts with Alphabet Harmony Loudest
11. Futhark (Major): All four parts with Both Alphabet Lines Louder
12. Futhark (Major): All four parts with Names Melody Loudest
13. Futhark (Major): All four parts with Names Harmony Loudest
14. Futhark (Major): All four parts with Both Names Lines Louder
15. Futhark (Major) Complete
16. Futhark (Modal): Alphabet Melody Alone
17. Futhark (Modal): Alphabet Melody With Soft Harmony
18. Futhark (Modal): Alphabet Harmony Alone
19. Futhark (Modal): Alphabet Harmony With Soft Melody
20. Futhark (Modal): Names Melody Alone
21. Futhark (Modal): Names Melody With Soft Harmony
22. Futhark (Modal): Names Harmony Alone
23. Futhark (Modal): Names Harmony With Soft Melody
24. Futhark (Modal): All four parts with Alphabet Melody Loudest
25. Futhark (Modal): All four parts with Alphabet Harmony Loudest
26. Futhark (Modal): All four parts with Both Alphabet Lines Louder
27. Futhark (Modal): All four parts with Names Melody Loudest
28. Futhark (Modal): All four parts with Names Harmony Loudest
29. Futhark (Modal): All four parts with Both Names Lines Louder
30. Futhark (Modal)
31. Futhark Major and Modal Harmonies Together (no Melody)
32. Futhark Melody with All Harmonies (Major and Modal)

BONUS: downloadable MIDI file of the song, plus PDF files of the sheet music, lyrics sheet, and five pages of original notes by the composer, discussing the history of the Futhark, the basics of modal music, and how modes are used in the Sundown cycle, both in the Futhark Song and in other pieces. (These notes will also appear in the Libretto.)