DENSMORE] TETON SIOUX MUSIC 175 



Analysis. — This song comprises five periods, four of which con- 

 tain the rhythmic unit while one has a different rhythm. Observ- 

 ing the melodic form, we note that the first period consists of 

 three measures and is based on the minor triad, B flat, D flat, F, 

 the tones occurring in descending ord(^r. In the fourth measure 

 the accidental B double flat leads downward to A flat, and for 

 several measures the melody is based on the descending minor 

 third A flai-F. This is' followed by a return to the minor triad in 

 the upper octavo and a descent to A, and a recurrence of the acci- 

 dental, the song closing with the descending minor third A flat-F. 

 Five tones are found in the melody, which is distinctly major in 

 tonality. The sequence of tones is such as to suggest D flat as a 

 keynote, and the song is accordingly transcribed and analyzed in 

 the key of D flat wnth one accidental — the sixth lowered a semitone. 

 It is interesting, however, to note the intervals in this song. With 

 the number of their occurrences these are as follows: Minor sixth, 1; 

 major third, 3 ; minor third, 9 ; major second, 7 ; and minor second, 9 — 

 a total of 29. It \\'ill be noted that about 65 per cent of the intervals 

 are minor. A predominance of minor intervals in songs of major 

 tonality has been frequently observed. (See Bulletin 53, p. 263.) 

 It Anil be recalled that the minor second is a somewhat infrequent 

 interval in Sioux songs. (Cf. analysis of No. 40.) The pitch of 

 the tones transcribed as B double flat and A flat was not always 

 given with absolute exactness, but in every rendition the tones were 

 clearly differentiated. Three renditions were recorded, all being 

 marked by the carefulness which characterizes the following song 

 by the same singer. Drum and voice did not coincide, though the 

 metric unit of the two is the same. 



Continuing his narrative, Brave Buffalo said: 



The buffalo in my dream told me that I would live to be 102 years old. Then they 

 said: "If you are to show people the great value of the buffalo one proof which you 

 must give them is a demonstration of your endurance. After properly qualifying 

 yourself you will be able to show that weapons can not harm you, and you may chal- 

 lenge anyone to shoot you with arrows or with a gun. 



Brave Buffalo said that on waking from his dream, he went home 

 and thought the matter over seriously. After qualifying himself for 

 the ordeal, he requested his relatives to erect a very large tent of 

 buffalo hide in which he would give his demonstration and challenge 

 anyone to shoot Mm with arrows. He clothed himself in an entire 

 buffalo hide with the head and the horns. The whole tribe came to 

 see whether anyone could wound him. Many tried with arrows, but 

 could not do so. The arrows did not penetrate his skin. Several 

 years later the test was repeated with guns, and Brave Buffalo 

 stated that they were not able to injure him. 



