Drums???

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Hello everyone,God bless you and your family.May the fire of the Holy Spirit fill you with a burning love this Pentecost Sunday just as the Mary and the Apostles.

Anyway,are drums allowed to be used in mass?I know Christian concerts do,but what about mass?Are drums too ‘Heavy’ for the solemn celebration of Mass.I see some churches use drums while others don’t.What is the Church’s view on this?

Thank you.Maranatha.
 
BintuluChuchGuy said:
Hello everyone,God bless you and your family.May the fire of the Holy Spirit fill you with a burning love this Pentecost Sunday just as the Mary and the Apostles.

Anyway,are drums allowed to be used in mass?I know Christian concerts do,but what about mass?Are drums too ‘Heavy’ for the solemn celebration of Mass.I see some churches use drums while others don’t.What is the Church’s view on this?

Thank you.Maranatha.
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The 1903 Motu Proprio Tra le Sollecitudini by Pope St Pius X says the following:
  1. The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like.
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Now, to what extent Tra le Sollecitudini or parts of it have been over-ruled, I’m not sure. The United States has, as far as I know, a dispensation allowing the use of the piano in church - I think it is the only country which has been granted this.

Later documents seem to indicate that the guiding principle - apart from the fundamental one that chant & the human voice and the organ being given pride of place - is that if the instruments are more associated with secular or “pop” music then they should not be used in church. From Musicam Sacram (1967):
But other instruments also may be admitted for use in divine worship, with the knowledge and consent of the competent territorial authority . . . This may be done, however, only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, are in accord with the dignity of the place of worship, and truly contribute to the uplifting of the faithful."
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  1. One criterion for accepting and using musical instruments is the genius and tradition of the particular peoples. At the same time, however, instruments that are generally associated and used only with worldly music are to be absolutely barred from liturgical services and religious devotions. All musical instruments accepted for divine worship must be played in such a way as to meet the requirements of a liturgical service and to contribute to the beauty of worship and the building up of the faithful.
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So if one is to take into account the traditions of various countries - for example, where percussion instruments have an association with worship rather than secular music - they could be admitted for use. Therefore it’s rather difficult to make a judgement sometimes - there is also a difference in how an instrument is used: which is why Musicam Sacram refers to the possibility of making an instrument suitable for church use. I was playing the organ at a Mass a few months ago which was to celebrate cultural diversity in my city. At the entrance procession and recessional a group of Africans sang - they were accompanied not by the organ but by a traditional African percussion instrument. While it may be suitable in their native culture, it seemed alien to me and did not, in my opinion, evoke a sense of the sacred - in fact it reminded me of the kind of music I hear out on the streets on a sunny summer day…

All in all, it can be a difficult call…however, I would say that if one is in doubt, there is no excuse for not falling back on (indeed, employing to a great extent) the Church’s most prized musical possession - Gregorian Chant!
 
Me no like drums at Mass. Is hard to reflect on God when drum bang in ear.

But me has heard worse. Harmonica come to mind. Thought it was sick cat at first. Me not go back to that Church. Sorry Mom, even though I know you insist it is Catholic.
 
Keep in mind that drums ARE permitted in a couple of the Eastern Catholic Churches, specifically, those originating in Ethiopia. However, they are a long-time part of their ethnic heritage and culture, and so have a reason for being in there.
 
i’ve been to some Masses where drums were played. i think they were going for a more modern feel, but really it was just annoying, horrible actually, and made me feel like i should be under a tent handling some snakes or in a sterile room with some big screen tv’s on the wall. the way they were played in this particular situation basically cheapened everything. in a well-intentioned way, they wanted to make the music more … i don’t know - human, but instead should have made it more Holy.

… and drums are my favorite instrument!

personally, i wish we’d bring back the gregorian chants and that’s coming from someone that loves loud and distorted indie music.

Maranatha, i am now in a strange southern part of the usa, so this probably didn’t help you at all. from what i gather there is no set rules, but each culture should play what they think is their best for the Lord and i’m sure the priest will let the musicians know if anything sounds awry.

peace to you and your family!
 
BintuluChuchGuy said:
Hello everyone,God bless you and your family.May the fire of the Holy Spirit fill you with a burning love this Pentecost Sunday just as the Mary and the Apostles.

Anyway,are drums allowed to be used in mass?I know Christian concerts do,but what about mass?Are drums too ‘Heavy’ for the solemn celebration of Mass.I see some churches use drums while others don’t.What is the Church’s view on this?

Thank you.Maranatha.
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I actually have another thread about this same subject (Drums At Mass, Yikes!!!) going on in the Traditional Catholicism Forum, and there have been many responses. You and anyone else who cares to, can view the link that I’ll post below to see the various responses that Iv’e received, and where I stand on this whole matter.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=457473
 
timotheos said:
Me no like drums at Mass. Is hard to reflect on God when drum bang in ear.

But me has heard worse. Harmonica come to mind. Thought it was sick cat at first. Me not go back to that Church. Sorry Mom, even though I know you insist it is Catholic.
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love this post. now when my cats meow i will forever think they are doing something with a harmonica.

peace.

 
BintuluChuchGuy said:
Hello everyone,God bless you and your family.May the fire of the Holy Spirit fill you with a burning love this Pentecost Sunday just as the Mary and the Apostles.

Anyway,are drums allowed to be used in mass?I know Christian concerts do,but what about mass?Are drums too ‘Heavy’ for the solemn celebration of Mass.I see some churches use drums while others don’t.What is the Church’s view on this?

Thank you.Maranatha.
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I think that drums should not be used…
 
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