Electric Guitars and bass in the Choir? Advice

[F0rg1v3]

I have a question for the OP. Why did you post this topic here, in the Traditional Catholicism Sub-forum, as opposed to LIturgy and Sacraments? I would assume it is not because this is an issue where the Mass is done according to the older form. Was it just an oversight?

Hi, and everybody thank you for taking the time to give your opinion and advice. I’m thinking of at least drafting a letter to the Pastor before I pack up and go to the smaller parish about two and a half miles south.

I put it here because it seemed the best spot for what is traditional and what is not. I see it as something that removes from the musical tradition of the Church. I wouldn’t even have considered Liturgy or Sacraments. It seems further away from that. Actually, I hunted around, and thought it most appropriate here. Sorry if I posted in a less than ideal location. Maybe it’s the way I look at it, personally. I think that’s it.

I don’t oppose it for being stodgy. Actually, I see the electric guitar as kind of an obsolete, dated instrument. I used to play electric guitar, but have moved on to synthesizers programmed with midi tools like Ableton. In my opinion, even young people don’t have an especially favorable view of electric guitar. Most is dance oriented, hip hop, all that, its synth these days. Maybe its me. Maybe I just have an aversion to the idea of electric guitar in Church.

In any case, they already use a Yamaha Clavinova synthesizer for the ‘piano’ sounds. It does good pipe organ, church organ and sweeping string/choral simulations. They should give that a chance. Those sounds can be quite beautiful if played subtly and with taste.

I don’t know, I just kind of agree with someone way back there that mentioned acapella. There’s beauty in tradition.

In any case, tonight, in 90 minutes I’m going to a Church function where the two musicians in the Choir will be. Maybe I can get some insight by asking a question or two.

 

[Stylites]

I don’t know. Advice?

Trust your parish priest in the direction he wishes to move the 5:30 liturgy, and even give it a try with an open mind, rather than with worry and disgust and knee-jerk weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth as can be read in the thread.

 

[clem456]

Hi, and everybody thank you for taking the time to give your opinion and advice. I’m thinking of at least drafting a letter to the Pastor before I pack up and go to the smaller parish about two and a half miles south.

I thank God I’m connected to the parish and community I belong to. Even though there are styles of worship and tabernacle placements etc I don’t really like, leaving the parish for any of these reasons is not an option. There is too much family, friends, ministry to be done, I would never consider leaving no matter what the music.

 

[dean24us]

Hi, and everybody thank you for taking the time to give your opinion and advice. I’m thinking of at least drafting a letter to the Pastor before I pack up and go to the smaller parish about two and a half miles south.

I put it here because it seemed the best spot for what is traditional and what is not. I see it as something that removes from the musical tradition of the Church. I wouldn’t even have considered Liturgy or Sacraments. It seems further away from that. Actually, I hunted around, and thought it most appropriate here. Sorry if I posted in a less than ideal location. Maybe it’s the way I look at it, personally. I think that’s it.

I don’t oppose it for being stodgy. Actually, I see the electric guitar as kind of an obsolete, dated instrument. I used to play electric guitar, but have moved on to synthesizers programmed with midi tools like Ableton. In my opinion, even young people don’t have an especially favorable view of electric guitar. Most is dance oriented, hip hop, all that, its synth these days. Maybe its me. Maybe I just have an aversion to the idea of electric guitar in Church.

In any case, they already use a Yamaha Clavinova synthesizer for the ‘piano’ sounds. It does good pipe organ, church organ and sweeping string/choral simulations. They should give that a chance. Those sounds can be quite beautiful if played subtly and with taste.

I don’t know, I just kind of agree with someone way back there that mentioned acapella. There’s beauty in tradition.

In any case, tonight, in 90 minutes I’m going to a Church function where the two musicians in the Choir will be. Maybe I can get some insight by asking a question or two.

It’s sounds like you’re taking a very reasoned and charitable approach to the situation. Best of luck to you – I’ll pray for you tonight. Let us know how it works out!

For what it’s worth, I humbly apologize if anything in my post came off as offensive or condescending. Truth be told, it was more intended to be a response towards some of the other comments in this thread. I, for one, have been getting a bit frustrated at some of the uncharitable comments I see on CAF as of late (I know, I know, it’s an anonymous Internet forum, but still…).

God bless,
Dean

 

[Thomas_Casey]

Deciding what a parish should or should not do at their 5:30 mass is not a topic about a Catholic Tradition. Please take those concerns to the appropriate people in the parishes.

CLOSED.