Finding The Right Samoan Hymn Book

By Karen Barnes


There are many traditional instruments that can be used to make a more cultural and full experience. One of the popular instruments often accompanies the music in a Samoan hymn book is called the fala. This is one that looks like a rolled up mat which the player beats with sticks in order to make beautiful music.

If you have in your possession or know somebody who has a soundingboard, you might see if that can be used in your choral arrangement. This is a musical instrument that a lot of people use to accompany particularly people who are reciting poetry as a solo. This can add a lot to the feel of what is being read.

If you are looking for something to make a grand announcement, you might want to look into getting a conch shell. These have been used for thousands of years as sacred and holy instruments for these people in their culture. Although a lot of people are familiar with this shell, they might not realize its potential as an instrument in this environment.

There are several smaller instruments that a person can use if the group they are playing for is rather small. It is true that good things sometimes do come in small packages, and you will be impressed with the sounds that can come out of these tiny traditional instruments. These musical instruments might include fun additions like the jaw harp, nose flute, and the panpipe. These not only add a lot of flavor, but they are inexpensive.

You will see what is called the pate drum a lot these days, and the reason for that is because it is a wonderful addition that adds a lot the sound of your group in a variety of different settings. It is a slit-type of a drum which has been hollowed out. It is sometimes good to have some percussion to help give the music a defined beat.

If you have a drum known as the fala but are discouraged because most people nowadays use the pate instead, fear not. You can still make use of this traditional instrument because it is still a quality drum and can add a unique flavor to your music. All you have to do is play it the same way you would a contemporary drum and you will be fine.

It was way back in 1830 when LMS missionaries first came to the islands of Samoa and started influencing their music. Both the popular music and the hymnodic music came into their culture this way. This had lead to countless songs filling up numerous books that are out there right now today just waiting for the right group of singers to pick it up and start singing them.

It is wonderful to sing in a choir, especially when the songs are praising the Lord. It is unfortunate though that Christianity's influence on the people of Somoa had to make it so they did not want to make as much use of the instruments that their ancestors had made and used for centuries. Nowadays, people can respect both of these in their music.




About the Author: