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Nacho45
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Oops!I’m not quite sure how you’d have a Mass without symbols. Now “cymbals” are another matter.
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CB_Catholic
Guest
We have a very good Youth Orchestra that plays for Mass on special occasions like the
Easter Vigil, Easter, Christmas, and sometimes during the year. What is an orchestra without drums? We also have a handbell choir that plays on these occasions also. The music is very beautiful and tasteful and appropriate. I absolutely cannot imagine anyone so dead set against anything but a capella or the organ that they would think a choir accompanied by an orchestra with drums and a piano and a handbell choir praising God with the Hallelujah Chorus would be inappropriate. Unbelievable.
Easter Vigil, Easter, Christmas, and sometimes during the year. What is an orchestra without drums? We also have a handbell choir that plays on these occasions also. The music is very beautiful and tasteful and appropriate. I absolutely cannot imagine anyone so dead set against anything but a capella or the organ that they would think a choir accompanied by an orchestra with drums and a piano and a handbell choir praising God with the Hallelujah Chorus would be inappropriate. Unbelievable.
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Pablopedro
Guest
For the most part I don’t care for them. I feel they often do not fit with what is going on in the Mass or the mood of the song. However, I have to admit, they really do compliment truimphant songs very well. During this Easter Octave when we began to sing the Alleluia before the Gospel the drums would begin pounding truimphantly and honestly it kept making me tear up.
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CATHOLICbrl
Guest
Just attend a mass that had piano and drums. Loved it because the music was not the focus of the mass. It was there to enhance the Liturgy of the Word and Eucharist.
I have been to masses where it is just the organ and choir but feel like I’m at a concert and should be entertained instead of actively participate.
As long as the music is not the focus I like a little variety.
I have been to masses where it is just the organ and choir but feel like I’m at a concert and should be entertained instead of actively participate.
As long as the music is not the focus I like a little variety.
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TheWarriorMonk
Guest
Ummmm…profane instrument as some have said?..no.
When some people hear guitar/bass/drums, they think rock concert. That is a very narrow and uninformed view of these instruments. Music is a language, and instruments are a way of speaking that language. They can be used appropriately or inappropriately. Voice is another instrument that expresses that language, and can also be used appropriately or inappropriately. I doubt the people calling drums “profane” would also argue for throwing out Gregorian Chant because Snoop Dog (or Lion or whatever he calls himself nowadays) used his voice in a profane way.
FWIW, I went to a mass on Christmas Eve last year that has guitar/bass/drums, along with a complete chorus, and a cantor that reminded me of Josh Groban. Quite frankly, I was absolutely stunned at how good it was. It was extraordinarily tasteful, entirely appropriate, and elevated everyone’s Christmas Spirit.
When some people hear guitar/bass/drums, they think rock concert. That is a very narrow and uninformed view of these instruments. Music is a language, and instruments are a way of speaking that language. They can be used appropriately or inappropriately. Voice is another instrument that expresses that language, and can also be used appropriately or inappropriately. I doubt the people calling drums “profane” would also argue for throwing out Gregorian Chant because Snoop Dog (or Lion or whatever he calls himself nowadays) used his voice in a profane way.
FWIW, I went to a mass on Christmas Eve last year that has guitar/bass/drums, along with a complete chorus, and a cantor that reminded me of Josh Groban. Quite frankly, I was absolutely stunned at how good it was. It was extraordinarily tasteful, entirely appropriate, and elevated everyone’s Christmas Spirit.
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Sunbreak
Guest
The use of drums seems mostly to be a misguided attempt to attract the youth. This may have seemed to work for awhile when the baby boomers were in their teenage years and early 20s. I don’t think it works that well anymore.
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Hoosier_Daddy
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Used to go to a youth Mass with bongos.
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oremosjuntos
Guest
I voted “it doesn’t matter”, although I mean it does, because the drum, as secular as it is, wouldn’t be preferred over, let’s say, a more classical instrument, an organ, or even acapella. The drum should be played in an appropriate manner, if it is there. What about parishes that do not have adequate instruments preferred? We can use the next best thing, but in the most appropriate manner (i.e. no drum solos). I don’t like the drums for the reason that sometimes it’s played in such a way that it makes you clap, and that’s not really appropriate for Mass, maybe for a concert in the gym or talent show, but not in church. Although, parishes who do have an option for instruments should be more responsible and use instruments appropriate to Liturgy, from anything classical to the Organ, or just voices. Nothing beats an instrument that needs electricity and is more prone to glitches. Trust me, modern equipment is not fun and it can often be damaged, leading to a not-so-in-tune Liturgy. Let’s go to the basics, if we can. It doesn’t matter what we use in the sense that if we are restrained for any reason, typically financial, from getting what we need, we should know how to adjust and do it appropriately. Our efforts will pay off 
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oremosjuntos
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I kinda agree with you, but where I am, we have a drum because someone knows how to play the drums and wants to utilize his talents in the Liturgy. I would prefer that people don’t play because it can be tempting to dance along, clap, and forget WHO and WHY we came to Mass. Sadly, it is how it is. We should be grateful we even have a Liturgy close to home in some cases because many people don’t have an option and will probably die today for attending a Liturgy, for believing in Jesus Christ.
We’ll pray for a more reverent Mass and do the most we can to promote what Mass really means. That’s WAAAYYYYY better than a cheesy attempt to attract youth. However, we must learn why things are the way they are before we say anything or take action.
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robwar
Guest
The most common sense point on this thread. The drum or any musical instrument is just that a tool and it depends how the drum or any other tool is used and that is based many times on culture and tastes on where the parish is located. Any musical tool can be used appropriately or inappropriately. Opinions thread like this border on the edge because what we get is a bunch of Catholics giving opinions on their tastes and it doesn’t mean anything at all and pits people and their preferences against each other.
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seakelp
Guest
Aesthetically, I find it obnoxious. Reminds me of a megachurch, not a sacred space.
That having been said, I’d say the exception to the rule is with ethnic or indigenous drumming. If a culture different from our Western culture uses drums in a holy, sacred way, and wants to incorporate that into the mass, all the more power to them!
That having been said, I’d say the exception to the rule is with ethnic or indigenous drumming. If a culture different from our Western culture uses drums in a holy, sacred way, and wants to incorporate that into the mass, all the more power to them!
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RosslynV
Guest
Innappropriate.
My parish has an organ in back but its simply collecting dust. Progressive music is taking over!
My parish has an organ in back but its simply collecting dust. Progressive music is taking over!
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JakeWI
Guest
I vote inappropriate. I am 25 years old. I had a discussion with my very Catholic friend regarding the use of the organ. He mentioned something to the affect of there being something said in the church that says “instruments need to be as close to a chant as possible”. I have also read something about a pipe organ being held to high esteem with use in church.
This is the best information that I could find:
ewtn.com/expert/answers/music_and_instruments.htm
In regards to “sacred” music, one’s definition of “sacred” seems to vary, but to me… sacred is a prayerful, beautiful music… to which mainly secular used instruments are not in my own opinion. All I can say is thank God that out of all the contemporary leaning Parishes around me, I found one good one that has a newly ordained young Priest who believes in the same thing that I do…and have 4,000 members who regularly attend…
This is the best information that I could find:
ewtn.com/expert/answers/music_and_instruments.htm
In regards to “sacred” music, one’s definition of “sacred” seems to vary, but to me… sacred is a prayerful, beautiful music… to which mainly secular used instruments are not in my own opinion. All I can say is thank God that out of all the contemporary leaning Parishes around me, I found one good one that has a newly ordained young Priest who believes in the same thing that I do…and have 4,000 members who regularly attend…
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TheWarriorMonk
Guest
There is such as thing as secular music, but there is no such thing as a “secular” instrument. To give the blatantly obvious example, the Hammond B3 sound in inexorably linked with religious music. It is also the same sound that is inexorably linked with the early metal bands, such as Deep Purple. With regard to the pipe organ, I’ve seen Rick Wakeman tear it up on that instrument.
It’s what is done with the instrument that matters. It’s like blaming the messenger without ever hearing the message.
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JakeWI
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I do believe it is how the instrument is used, so I do agree with you there. I have heard praise and worship type songs in the Catholic Mass used in a solemn way via the organ or piano, so that it doesn’t sound like it is one. I also know what you are talking about in regards to the early rock using organs and such.
I still have a hard time understanding use of instruments such as a guitar, a tambourine, an electric keyboard, drums, etc. in the use at Mass. To me, these instruments don’t represent solemn type music one bit, and are related more to secular music of today. However, I don’t discount all string instruments or others either. I have heard viola and cello being played to where it was just beautiful and added to the mass… though those instruments are also played fluidly with a bow and very slowly, and add a “classic” type vibe which is also very calming and beautiful.
I will also put out there that my favorite type of music is NOT classical by any means… it is Alternative Rock or Adult Alternative type music (Snow Patrol, Dave Matthews, etc), heavy with guitar based music.
I guess I will rephrase the question then… why would you use a guitar, drums, tambourines, etc at Mass when you have a plethora of other instruments (not even just organ) that are more fluid, more reverent sounding, more sacred, more touching, than those?
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janeway529
Guest
The drum is an ancient, sacred, and traditional instrument going back to the Early Church. Why would it be inappropriate in liturgy? The Ghe’ez Rite is one great example of this. They not only use drums, but they GASP!
clap their hands and dance as well. 
youtube.com/watch?v=jLA-eqdSmO4
clap their hands and dance as well. youtube.com/watch?v=jLA-eqdSmO4
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JakeWI
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In a specific culture for a specific rite… it may very well be what you say here. In the Ordinary Mass in Western civilization, it is a different story. You are comparing apples to oranges here in saying this.
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OraLabora
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Western civilization is definitely being cross-fertilized by other cultures through immigration, so we shouldn’t be too surprised to see other cultural notions creep in. If they make us feel uncomfortable the problem is on us not the other cultures.
As for guitar, do you realize that the hymn “Silent Night” was written for guitar?
Classical guitar can be very beautiful. I would not write off the guitar. As for a drum; well certainly not rock-and-roll style, but I could see it accompanying the carol “Little Drummer Boy” at a family or children’s Mass at Christmas time, for instance.
We recently had two visiting African monks from Senegal at our abbey and they played the kora, a traditional African string instrument, at Mass.
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JakeWI
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I will spin it around then… how would they feel if we went over there and decided to change the music to all organ from what they do now? Would it be “accepted”? Would the issue be with them for not accepting us coming in there and changing their music?
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smichhertz
Guest
Very well said by both of you!
Young people do not need the mass “watered down” or “dressed up” anymore than anyone else.
My preference is to not have drums. I think they tend to be distracting from the mass.
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