by Cookie Segelstein

In our last article we spoke about the one of the most recognizably Jewish modes,  Freygish. Now I would like to talk about the mode Mishebeyrakh, which (like Ahava Rabboh, the alternate name for Freygish)  is named after a prayer with the musical elements of the mode in the Jewish synagogue liturgy.

Before we start with some musical examples, here is the mishebeyrakh mode. In this example we are using D as the tonic. The motives listed underneath the mode are typical examples of when a note’s position (in this case the C) determines if it is a flat or natural.

Mishebeyrakh is often used in doinas, one of the rare types of klezmer music that does not have a dance associated with it. The doina is an improvisatory free rhythmic form that is used to show off the solo musician’s chops, as well as historically to entertain the bride and her family at the wedding. (It’s important to remember that klezmer music is primarily dance music, and most of the forms have specific dance steps that accompany them.) We will go into more about the doina in our next article.

Here is a great example of a “bulgar”, a dance tune with a 6 step figure over a 4 beat feel. This is in D mishebeyrakh and in the first sound bite, played by the Harry Kandel Orchestra. The second one is yours truly with my pals Hank Sapoznik on banjo, and Mark Rubin on bass, otherwise known as The Youngers of Zion from our CD, “The Protocols”.

I would also like to mention another role for fiddle in klezmer music, the (in Yiddish) sekund  part.  Sekund plays a seconding part that consists of  rhythmic double stops. In absence of a bass, the sekund player often throws in a bit of a walking line to follow the harmonic changes (measures 9 and 15). It is not unusual for a sekund fiddle player to provide all the rhythm for an ensemble.  Here is a typical sekund for the first section of Sha! Der Rebe Tantz (Quiet! The Rabbi is Dancing)  [Why a dancing Rabbi needs quiet is not explained - The Editor]

As I said in a previous article, like in most oral (aural) traditions, reading the music off the page only gives a hint of what it sounds like when played in native klezmer style. The ornaments, the timing, the fills, and all the things between the staff lines determine the character of the music.

[Here are two recordings of Sha! Der Rebe Tantz.  The first is the original by the Harry Kandel Orchestra (at one time available on Harry Kandel: Master of Klezmer Music Volume 2 on Global Village.  Here is the sound of old time Mishebeyrakh in all its glory - The Editor]

[The second features Ms. Segelstein her very self  with Youngers of Zion in the album "The Protocols" , available at  http://www.livingtraditions.org/docs/store.htm. It begins with some rocking sekund rhythm. -The Editor]

KANDEL Sha! Der Rebe Tantz (Sh! The Rabbi Is Dancing).mp3 | YOZ Sha! Der Rebe Tanz (from Doina Medley).mp3 | PDF

About the Author

Cookie Segelstein, acknowledged as one of the very top tier of klezmer violinists, received her Masters degree in viola from The Yale School of Music. She has taught klezmer fiddling at KlezKamp and The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes.   Her band, Veretski Pass, has two CD’s on Golden Horn, the newest titled Trafik  (www.goldenhorn.com)

For more information visit     www.veretskipass.com