Musical Abilities

In earlier times, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries, all cultured young women were expected to have a musical talent. The most common was playing an instrument, especially one with a keyboard, or singing. However, others, such as playing a harp, were also appreciated.

In my historical novels, Ivy is probably the best example of this. Here is an excerpt from Sown in Dark Soil where Leah and Ivy moved to the Appalachians from a plantation:

            “Why don’t you get out your fiddle, Luke,” Granny Em said. “I got a hankering for some music.”

            “Do you play, Luke?” Leah asked.

            “I try.”

            “He’s right good, if you ask me.”

            He surprised her by how well he played. He played some melancholic tunes to start with but then switched to some toe-tapping songs.

            “Help me sing, girls,” Granny Em said.

            “Ivy’s the one with the pretty voice,” Leah told her. “I love music, but singing isn’t one of my talents. Our music teacher once told me the only way I would stay on key is if I sat on one used for the door.”

Luke and Granny Em both smiled.

            “I’m not asking for a performance, Leah. My voice’s not pretty, either. Just join in.” Granny Em began singing “Pop Goes the Weasel” in an exuberant voice. Leah joined in and so did Patsy.

In isolated regions, like the Appalachians, music became even more important. It wasn't necessary that a musician be really good to be appreciated, because most everyone enjoyed this kind of entertainment. Here is another scene from Sown in Dark Soil:

            Luke came up to Leah and whispered, “The musicians want to play one more song and they want us to dance. Is that all right with you?”

            “Yes, that’s fine.” She would like to dance with Luke, since they’d never done so.

            They played “Barbara Allen,” an old ballad the settlers had brought with them from Scotland or England so long ago it would be hard to trace its exact origin. A young woman began to sing it in a clear, sweet voice, a folk voice from the ages, one which spoke of clans, family, and heritage.

            Luke took her in his arms and they waltzed to the music. She followed him as if she’d become his extension.

            Ivy had been the dancer in the family, but Leah had gone to many balls and cotillions. She’d never lacked for dance partners, but she had never danced like this. It felt as if she and Luke were bound together by invisible cords, and when one moved the other followed in perfect precision and harmony. All the while, they never took their eyes from each other.

            Leah felt Luke’s respect, admiration, and love wrap around her. Those were the unseen cords binding them. She prayed it would always be so.

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