36 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 53 



other except the love songs, woman's dance songs, and songs for the 

 entertainment of children. The proportion of songs having the first 

 progression a downward interval is 88 per cent, which is much larger 

 than in any other group. The percentage of downward progression 

 in the entire group of songs is the same as in the begging dance songs 

 and larger than in any other group. In the number of descending 

 minor thirds this group is exceeded only by the dream songs, and in 

 the ascending minor thirds by the dream and the war songs. The 

 average interval is the same as in the begging dance songs, being 2.9 

 semitones, the average of the entire series being 3.1 semitones, or a 

 tenth of a semitone more than a minor third. This group is lowest 

 of all in songs beginning on the accented part of the measure, and 

 lower than most groups in songs beginning in 2-4 or 3-4 time. 



The drum-rhythm of all these songs is a rapid, unaccented beat 

 which occurs in no other group except the war songs. The proportion 

 of songs containing a rhythmic unit is larger in this than in any other 

 group. Table 22 shows the percentage of songs in which the drum is 

 faster than the voice to be larger in this than in any other group 

 except the dream and the moccasin game songs, the former being 1 

 per cent and the latter 31 per cent greater. 



Here, then, is a group of songs known to be used as a means for 

 accomplishing a purpose, namely, the securing of a definite effect, 

 usually on a person other than the singer, by supernatural power; 

 and the characteristics of this group are found to resemble the beg- 

 ging dance songs more frequently than they do any other group. A 

 prevailing major tonality is noted, and the feeling for the dominant 

 is more marked than for the tonic ; the songs open with less directness 

 of "attack" than others, but contain a rhythmic unit more frequently 

 than other groups. The expression is freely melodic, downward in 

 trend, and is characterized by the interval of the minor third. A 

 drumbeat faster than the metric unit of the voice is noted in songs 

 of controlled excitement, and 51 per cent of these songs show this 

 peculiarity. This is evident also in the moccasin game songs, and is 

 found in war song No. 30. 



In the Mide' songs are found peculiarities which may be connected 

 with the motive and the mental state of the singer: (1) The rhythmic 

 unit suggesting a definite, crystalized idea; (2) the major tonality, 

 a confidence in securing the desired end; (3) a preference for the 

 dominant, the unaccented initial tone, and the freely melodic form, 

 all suggesting an indirect approach; and (4) the rapid drumbeat 

 which is, in many instances, associated with controlled excitement. 



For the rhythmic units of the Mide' songs see pages 309-313. 



