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singerlady
Guest
I would like to know your thoughts on the possiblity of not using any instruments at all during Lent with the exception of the first part of Palm Sunday Mass. Is this something that is out of line?
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pm1853
Guest
I don’t think its out of line at all. Keep in mind that you’re speaking to someone who would ultimately prefer no instruments period so my opinion is hardly unbiased. Losing the instruments allows the choir and the congregation to provide the music with no distractions. The organ keeps people together, but its certainly not necessary. Knowing that instruments will never be abolished (from the Latin church at least) I think that the lack of instruments during lent would really help emphasize this as a penitential season. You’re not abolishing music altogether, you’re just simplifying things all around. If you can convince your parish to do it, good for you.
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pnewton
Guest
Not at all, and it could be very effective. I do not think I could do it totally because of the inability to keep pitch.
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AMDG1
Guest
Seems to me that if the choir or congration sings you have the very first instrument - the human voice. I suspect that for centuries there have been parishes where there was little or no singing per se (perhaps due to no organ or other instruments), and simply chanting parts of the Mass. I don’t see how this could be a problem.
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Matthew_P_Baldw
Guest
Dear Singer Lady,
I’m assuming you are a musician. I play the violin at ach sunday mass with a small choir and organist. I don’t feel that instruments need to be taken out to emphasize penitence. ( I to could be biased!!!) It is the way the instruments are played that can influence the mood of the hymn. After the communion hymn, if there is a bigger communion line, the organist and myself on the violin just play the communion hymn which can bring some as they are praying to tears because of the sorrow and solemnity of the violin.
Just something to think about!
God Bless
I’m assuming you are a musician. I play the violin at ach sunday mass with a small choir and organist. I don’t feel that instruments need to be taken out to emphasize penitence. ( I to could be biased!!!) It is the way the instruments are played that can influence the mood of the hymn. After the communion hymn, if there is a bigger communion line, the organist and myself on the violin just play the communion hymn which can bring some as they are praying to tears because of the sorrow and solemnity of the violin.
Just something to think about!
God Bless
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m134e5
Guest
There is nothing wrong with not using accompaniment during Lent, but it will make it difficult for untrained singers to follow along. Also, there are several choral pieces written for use during Lent that would sound rather…naked…if the accompaniment was left out.
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Deacon_Ed
Guest
The directives for instruments during Lent is that they cannot be used as unaccompanied, that is, they can only be used to provide accompaniment. That said, there is nothing that says they have to be used at all.
Deacon Ed
Deacon Ed
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puzzleannie
Guest
it is entirely in order, especially if you use Gregorian chant during Lent, as we do in this parish.
singerlady:
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stbruno
Guest
We don’t have an organist for our weekday masses all year long not just during Lent, but we do have a cantor…and I don’t think anyone misses the music accompanient…In fact, we all just sound like a congregration of true believers when we sing together acapella. God bless everyone! Keep praying!
I think it’s quite fitting to consider not using instruments during Lent.
But if you are planning on making some sort of public announcement I’d caution you to say that you are reducing rather than eliminating instruments. That way you won’t set yourself up for failure if you find that you simply cannot seem to sing a particular piece of music a capella.
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tom.wineman
Guest
Sounds like a great time to introduce chant.
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Teresa
Guest
It is perfectly within the guidelines for Lent…when I was Director of Music…we used the organ to help keep all in pitch…but no Preludes or Postludes…we had more silence than usual…often sang a cappella. On Palm Sunday, we had grand music for Prelude and the entrance, but as the Mass proceeded, we had less joyous music, more quiet, somber if you will…and we left Mass in silence. Music is quite profound and can really help to set the prayerful tone for the various liturgical seasons. Peace and blessings to all… 
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gloryb
Guest
Hi,
I think a capella would be wonderful for a choir blessed with much talent. It is very hard to do and would be even harder for the congregation as a whole.
I like the idea of quieting the instruments. Our choir has picked up a drummer (ouch) and our music director has a time tuning him down, even during practice when we’re even sending the message with the looks on our faces!
Using the piano/organ quietly to lead the choir with only quiet accompanying instruments would be very tasteful. We may need a bit more for the congregation, but I like the idea of toning it down for Lent.
Gloria
I think a capella would be wonderful for a choir blessed with much talent. It is very hard to do and would be even harder for the congregation as a whole.
I like the idea of quieting the instruments. Our choir has picked up a drummer (ouch) and our music director has a time tuning him down, even during practice when we’re even sending the message with the looks on our faces!
Using the piano/organ quietly to lead the choir with only quiet accompanying instruments would be very tasteful. We may need a bit more for the congregation, but I like the idea of toning it down for Lent.
Gloria
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