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The Holly and the Ivy: alto part

The alto part of The Holly and the Ivy in G, from B3 to G4. Hear it on its own or with the others, then sing it and watch each note light up.

Sings the words under the tune, mostly a third or a sixth below it, most often on E, then F-sharp and D, up to its top G wherever the tune is on its top E, and also on the last note of each verse's first line ("ivy,", "blossom,", "berry,"), on "all" in verse 1, the "Ma-" of "Mary" in verses 2 and 3 and the "play-" of "playing" in each refrain, and down to its low B on the last note of each verse's third and fourth lines ("wood," and "crown.", "Christ," and "Saviour.", "Christ" and "good.") and on the "or-" of "organ," and "choir." in each refrain.

Range
B3 to G4
Key
G
Guide voice
The app's own voice

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How to learn the alto part

  1. 01 · Your part

    Hear your part on its own until the tune of it is in your ear.

  2. 02 · With the others

    Hear it with the others, so you know where it sits in the chord.

  3. 03 · Sing it

    Sing it with the others under you and watch each note light up as you land it. The mic listens only while it plays, and nothing is recorded.

About The Holly and the Ivy

Words: Traditional English (as printed by Cecil Sharp, 1911)

Tune: Traditional English, as sung by Mrs Mary Clayton of Chipping Campden (noted and printed by Cecil Sharp, 1911)

The Holly and the Ivy is an English folk carol that Cecil Sharp printed in his English Folk-Carols of 1911 as he noted it from Mrs Mary Clayton at Chipping Campden, filling out her words with another set recited to him by the late Mrs Wyatt of East Harptree, Somerset. Our tune and words are read from that book, in G as printed: the soprano sings Sharp's tune, and the alto, tenor and bass are our own, with Sharp's piano part read but not used. This is verses 1 to 3 of the six, for 2 to 4 singers, the holly's crown, its white blossom and its red berry, each with the refrain "The rising of the sun".

All about The Holly and the Ivy More Christmas carols, part by part

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Stackapella recording a part: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording a part: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording a part: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording a part: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up.
  • A guide sings your partHear your line over the others, slow it down, then take your turn.
  • Your notes light upEach note shows where you landed, and a hint when to go up or down.
  • Record every part yourselfStack your takes in time until you're the whole choir.
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