The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

The Australian National Anthem has a big problem – the average Aussie can't sing it in tune

  • Written by Wendy Hargreaves, Senior Learning Advisor, University of Southern Queensland
The Australian National Anthem has a big problem – the average Aussie can't sing it in tune

I have one prayer as I watch the Australian cricket team sing Advance Australia Fair[1] patriotically before a match – “Please don’t turn on their microphone.” Like many Australians, their “joyful strains” of our anthem are … well, just strained.

It’s not their fault they misspent their youth playing cricket instead of taking singing lessons. And it’s not their fault they got so good they now have to sing in front of thousands before they can play.

But there is a fault. We’ve given them an anthem that average Aussies can’t sing in tune together.

Great unity?

According to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, our anthem reflects “great unity[2]”, but that wasn’t there at the start. It needed several “fixes”.

Peter Dodds McCormick’s[3] 1878 composition began “Australia’s sons let us rejoice”. Daughters didn’t count. The National Australia Day Council[4] later recommended substituting “Australians all”, which was adopted in 1984[5].

First Nations people were also omitted from McCormick’s original verses[6], ignoring their presence while glorifying British colonisation. More fixing from the Council swapped the offending verses for a politically neutral verse from McCormick’s Federation version[7] with another tweak for gender-inclusive language.

Some Indigenous sport stars still refuse to sing the current anthem, as they say it doesn’t represent them[8].

Read more: Our national anthem is non-inclusive: Indigenous Australians shouldn't have to sing it[9]

The remaining inappropriate lyric, “young”, was amended to “one” in 2021 by a governor-general’s proclamation[10]. And as for “girt”? No, unfortunately, it remains, but it has united Australians in its own special way. We all think it’s odd.

Unfortunately, while focusing on unifying lyrics, we’ve missed a musical problem that’s divided voices since 1878. The note range[11] of Advance Australia Fair is more than the average Australian will sing accurately. For inexperienced singers, which is most of us, our voices crack with the very disunity the government tried to fix.

What is note range?

The note range of a song is like the number of steps it takes to climb from the lowest to the highest point. If there are too many steps, the average Aussie would rather abandon the sweaty climb and hang out on the ground floor with a cold beer.

The range of Advance Australia Fair is 17 steps (called “semitones”). This is a bigger climb than other nations’ anthems, such as Britain’s 10 semitones in God Save the King[12], France’s 14 semitones in La Marseillaise[13] and New Zealand’s 14 semitones in God Defend New Zealand[14]. At least the Australian anthem is more modest than the Americans’ who, true to reputation, like doing everything bigger. The Star-Spangled Banner[15] rises 19 semitones, resulting in some excruciating vocal cracks[16].

In theory, most average adult voices should be capable of climbing 17 steps and well beyond. We have the equipment. In practice, however, many inexperienced singers have problems with something called “registers”.

Why do registers matter?

Vocal registers are like gears in a car. We usually sing low steps in first gear, or “chest voice[17]”. Chest voice is the most familiar and comfortable register because that’s the voice most people use when speaking everyday.

To sing higher, we subconsciously move small muscles in our throat to shift into second gear, or “head voice[18]”.

Experienced vocalists spend considerable time developing strength in each register and making the gear change between them smooth and stable. Non-singers may not be not used to holding notes steady in second gear, and end up wobbling, yodelling[19] and going out of tune[20].

Others won’t budge out of first gear, and change the melody instead. Whichever approach we take, it certainly isn’t “unified”.

Back to school

Schools are the unofficial training ground for anthems. Weekly assemblies make it the most regular practice session Aussies will ever experience. But those 17 steps don’t help.

Many beginner instrumentalists in school bands can’t play 17 notes in their first year of learning an instrument. Some players can’t do it by their second year either. And aspiring trumpeters? Unless they are the next James Morrison[21], hold your breath and cover your ears.

While there’s no rule that an anthem must be playable by children, it might increase our national pride if they could.

A simple solution

There is a remarkably simple solution to this musical problem dismembering our anthem – fix the note on the word “and”. Instead of this:

we can use a step already in the song, like this:
Alternatively, if that sounds odd, just substitute the steps from the first two bars like this: Both options reduce the range to 14 steps which is singable in one register. If you start the song low, no gear change is required. Now we can sing the anthem and have a cold beer (or a lemonade for the kids). If a proclamation can fix one word of our anthem for greater unity, then why not fix one note? Then, more everyday Australians could sing it together in unison. And isn’t that the point of an anthem? References^ Advance Australia Fair (www.pmc.gov.au)^ great unity (pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au)^ Peter Dodds McCormick’s (adb.anu.edu.au)^ National Australia Day Council (cms.australiaday.org.au)^ adopted in 1984 (pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au)^ original verses (www.nfsa.gov.au)^ Federation version (www.rap.org.au)^ doesn’t represent them (theconversation.com)^ Our national anthem is non-inclusive: Indigenous Australians shouldn't have to sing it (theconversation.com)^ proclamation (www.pmc.gov.au)^ range (en.wikipedia.org)^ God Save the King (www.britannica.com)^ La Marseillaise (www.britannica.com)^ God Defend New Zealand (www.britannica.com)^ The Star-Spangled Banner (www.britannica.com)^ excruciating vocal cracks (www.youtube.com)^ chest voice (en.wikipedia.org)^ head voice (en.wikipedia.org)^ yodelling (en.wikipedia.org)^ out of tune (www.merriam-webster.com)^ James Morrison (en.wikipedia.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/the-australian-national-anthem-has-a-big-problem-the-average-aussie-cant-sing-it-in-tune-197400

The Times Features

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Uncover the Elegance of Gorgeous Diamond Tennis Necklaces

Key Highlights Diamond tennis necklaces are a timeless piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. They feature a continuous line of brilliant-cut diamonds, cre...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping