Do you think drums played at mass is appropiate?

[Elizium23]

Although I voted that drums are inappropriate, in actuality your poll is rather insufficient. The word “drum” refers to a large variety of musical instruments, including snare, bass, conga, tom-tom, tympani, and other varieties of percussion instrument. A tympani would not be inappropriate at a symphonic Mass, but a snare drum would be altogether inappropriate at any Mass whatsoever.

 

[27lw]

Well, Elizium,
I agree with you, but if we consider the usual parish where we might find “drums”, or maybe we should say “percussion”, it’s likely to be:

1. drumset (like in a rock or jazz band)
2. tambourine
3. other incidental percussion (cowbell, suspended cymbal, etc.).

I don’t think I’ve ever seen tympani at any Mass, myself, but I agree if it were part of a full orchestra it would certainly be less egregious. But then, tympani aren’t usually played to keep the beat, or keep time, are they? They’re really used more like brass instruments, to add color and emphasis at cadences, etc.

 

[Sarabande]

Well, Elizium,
I agree with you, but if we consider the usual parish where we might find “drums”, or maybe we should say “percussion”, it’s likely to be:

1. drumset (like in a rock or jazz band)
2. tambourine
3. other incidental percussion (cowbell, suspended cymbal, etc.).

I don’t think I’ve ever seen tympani at any Mass, myself, but I agree if it were part of a full orchestra it would certainly be less egregious. But then, tympani aren’t usually played to keep the beat, or keep time, are they? They’re really used more like brass instruments, to add color and emphasis at cadences, etc.

I think that is true for the typical parish who uses drums.

I’ve worked or freelanced or attended mass in a number of parishes either here in the States or abroad which have used timpani for special liturgies or for weddings. You usually see it for masses when a bishop or archbishop is present, at a cathedral, for Christmas/Easter masses or when a bridal couple hires a brass quartet with timpani.

The timpani is not used to keep a beat. It is used to add texture, color and power to the music. I can’t think of a mass where the timpani is just played to keep a beat for the music. I don’t particularly think timpani should be used at all masses. When employed well and correctly for the composition it can and has worked for specific liturgies.

 

[catholictiger]

Drums are not a regular part of the music in our parish but occasionally the youth will provide music for Mass and drums are included. I have never, ever found the drums to be anything but appropriate and reverent when played at Mass. In fact, they are so unobstrusive that I wouldn’t have known they were being played if I didn’t see them. I see nothing whatsoever profane about drums during Mass.

explain to me how they are played, and if they are being played so quietly how are they adding anything to the liturgy?