Guitar Music

[Journey_Well]

Hello. I’m a very recent convert; I join my parish in September. I’m attending RCIA classes now. I’m a classical gutiarist; teach guitar locally. I’ve seen several threads here pertaining to guitar music at Mass. Our music at our parish is very nice; traditional with piano/keyboard & vocals. We have several pianists; trust me, they are good & do not need any help! Absolutely beautiful. My concern is should they ask me to play after becoming a member & how I would respond. I’m kind of on the fence with the gutiar music at mass; my style would accompany everything fine. However; it really isn’t necessary. On the other hand I strongly feel God steering me to play. I’ve played in the protestant churches 'rock bands" before; didn’t really like it. I felt like I was at “American Idol” or something LOL. I’ve played all types of music, but the classical/solo guitar is my favorite. I’ve always seeked an outlet for this beautiful music I’ve learend over the years. Very difficult to acquire mind you. But, my heart is in the right place as I want all glory to go to God with the music. part of me says"your talent is not needed so much in that regard" while another part says " who are you to ‘hide’ that wonderful gift God gave you?". One suggestion was for me to play during confessional as people are praying/waiting to see the Priest. One thing is certain, my musical style would defintely enhance that experience. But; is it really needed?

 

[SMHW]

I know there are those who think the guitar has absolutely no place at Mass but I am not one of them. I think piano and guitar complement each other quite well. (In fact, I like to hear guitar take the melody while piano supports the chord.) This can work very nicely with traditional music. I am not as keen on solo guitar as a support for singing but it can work very nicely as background music.

I would agree that music during confessions can be nice; we’ve had that a several communal penance services with individual confession. (If nothing else, it helps cover the words of penitents who are louder than they should be.)

At this point, however, I think you should concentrate on RCIA. If asked to play, you certainly can if it fits in your schedule. But I would spend more time right now seeing what your parish can do for you over what you can do for your parish.

 

[frizzgrig]

The much beloved Christmas carol “Silent Night” was composed for guitar when the church organ was not working for Christmas Eve Mass. home.snu.edu/~hculbert/silent.htm

One of the most beautiful things you can do is make music to praise God. Any instrument, played respectfully, can make beautiful uplifting music to praise God.

You are not going to please everyone, so don’t worry about that. You only have to please God.
I say if they ask you to play at Mass (before or after you have completed your RCIA journey) do it.

Peace,

Deacon Patrick

 

[Oneofthewomen]

FWIW, I would rather have good music on the guitar than have bad organ & chant.

 

[pianistclare]

The much beloved Christmas carol “Silent Night” was composed for guitar when the church organ was not working for Christmas Eve Mass. home.snu.edu/~hculbert/silent.htm

One of the most beautiful things you can do is make music to praise God. Any instrument, played respectfully, can make beautiful uplifting music to praise God.

You are not going to please everyone, so don’t worry about that. You only have to please God.
I say if they ask you to play at Mass (before or after you have completed your RCIA journey) do it.

Peace,

Deacon Patrick

Indeed. Play. Offer your talents back to God.
Congratulations.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Music is ministry.

 

[Sunbreak]

You could offer to give a concert as a fundraiser for the parish. That way you could contribute your talent and still benefit the church.

 

[Regina7]

From what I understand, the organ is supposed to be the “main” instrument. This is not to say a guitar can’t be used, but there shouldn’t be any solos.

Welcome to the Church!

 

[pianistclare]

From what I understand, the organ is supposed to be the “main” instrument. This is not to say a guitar can’t be used, but there shouldn’t be any solos.

Welcome to the Church!

Did anyone ask him to do a solo?
I thought they asked him to bring his instrument and join in.

 

[truetofaith]

I played guitar for the Charismatic Prayer Group for many years. You can look into that.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

I would say that the guitar doesn’t belong in the church as it is not appropriate for Mass, in my opinion. You could use the gift God has given you in many ways outside of the church.

 

[pianistclare]

I know of many good and holy priests that would disagree.
Not all parishes can afford a huge pipe organ and the schola to go with it.
Some can, and yet, STILL don’t want it.
They encourage people to praise God.
That’s a good thing, in MY opinion.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

I know of many good and holy priests that would disagree.
Not all parishes can afford a huge pipe organ and the schola to go with it.
Some can, and yet, STILL don’t want it.
They encourage people to praise God.
That’s a good thing, in MY opinion.

My parish couldn’t afford a pipe organ either, so they got a digital one. If a parish can’t afford an organ at all, they don’t have to resort to other instruments, they can do a capella. They also don’t have to have a full-on choir if it’s beyond their capabilities, the organ works wonderful with just a cantor if that’s all that’s available.

 

[pianistclare]

We generally do what the pastor wants.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

We generally do what the pastor wants.

Fortunately, my pastor likes the organ too.

 

[ProVobis]

I’ve played all types of music, but the classical/solo guitar is my favorite.

If you play Bach or Vivaldi, I’ll be there, Mass or no Mass.

 

[EasterJoy]

…My concern is should they ask me to play after becoming a member & how I would respond. I’m kind of on the fence with the gutiar music at mass; my style would accompany everything fine. However; it really isn’t necessary…

You *could *let someone else be the judge of whether or not you are necessary and then play it by ear (so to speak) concerning whether you feel you are doing the right thing as time goes on. If you are asked, you can just say, “Sure, as long as I think it is appropriate as sacred music, I would be happy to help you out sometimes.” (or I’d be happy to join the music ministry …or whatever it is you’d be willing to do).

In Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Church’s Constitution on Divine Liturgy, Chapter VI is devoted to sacred music. You might want to read it yourself, and then you’d have a better idea what the mind of the Church is on this matter. The guitar is certainly not forbidden.
vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html

*"In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.

But other instruments also may be admitted for use in divine worship, with the knowledge and consent of the competent territorial authority, as laid down in Art. 22, 52, 37, and 40. This may be done, however, only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, accord with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful."*

You could also read Musicam Sacram, the Instruction on Music in the Liturgy
vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_instr_19670305_musicam-sacram_en.html

It is highly desirable that organists and other musicians should not only possess the skill to play properly the instrument entrusted to them: they should also enter into and be thoroughly aware of the spirit of the liturgy, so that even when playing ex tempore, they will enrich the sacred celebration according to the true nature of each of its parts, and encourage the participation of the faithful.

There are few parishes with so many musicians who have reached a professional level of skill that they are in a position to exclude any who play a suitable non-organ instrument in a manner suitable for a sacred setting. The sort of guitar music you are describing is *not at all *what most people are thinking of when they think “guitars in church.” They are thinking of folk guitar, and folk guitar played exclusively by rhythmic strumming. (You know the kind I mean.) Many do not even dream that somebody might volunteer who can use a guitar to play Bach. There is no reason to believe the guitar music you would agree to play is not suitable for a sacred setting, every bit as suitable as a piano, even if the guitar does not have the pride of place that the organ does.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

From what I understand, the organ is supposed to be the “main” instrument. This is not to say a guitar can’t be used, but there shouldn’t be any solos.

Welcome to the Church!

Solos are fine.

Classical guitar is even better as a solo instrument in my opinion.

VI. Sacred Instrumental Music

62. Musical instruments can be very useful in sacred celebrations, whether they accompany the singing or whether they are played as solo instruments.

"The pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church, since it is its traditional instrument, the sound of which can add a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lift up men’s minds to God and higher things.

“The use of other instruments may also be admitted in divine worship, given the decision and consent of the competent territorial authority, provided that the instruments are suitable for sacred use, or can be adapted to it, that they are in keeping with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful.”[43]

1. In permitting and using musical instruments, the culture and traditions of individual peoples must be taken into account. However, those instruments which are, by common opinion and use, suitable for secular music only, are to be altogether prohibited from every liturgical celebration and from popular devotions.[44]

Any musical instrument permitted in divine worship should be used in such a way that it meets the needs of the liturgical celebration, and is in the interests both of the beauty of worship and the edification of the faithful.

vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_instr_19670305_musicam-sacram_en.html

 

[bobballen_18]

Completely my own opinion here - based on the already quoted documents, one could argue that classical guitar is allowed at Mass, so I am not going to take any beef with that. My concerns have to do with what the mind of the Church is and with what the Church prefers and upholds as the ideal for sacred music.

So without going on a long diatribe about this, I would say parishes which do not have the ideal sacred music set up could possibly use classical guitar legitimately, but in my opinion, it should only be used as a tool to gradually move the church’s music program towards the ideal of sacred music. We should always be striving for the ideals which the Church has laid out for us, and in the realm of Church music, straight up, Gregorian chant is the true ideal standard of sacred music; the closer something resembles Gregorian chant, the more suited it is to the Liturgy; the less something resembles Gregorian chant, the less suited it is to the Liturgy.

Since it seems you do not have the ideal setup in your parish, fine, I would say go for it since Classical guitar music can be very beautiful. However, I would encourage you to look into the sacred music tradition which the Church has always upheld as truly fitting for the Mass - I am speaking of Gregorian chant and polyphony.

 

[Regina7]

Completely my own opinion here - based on the already quoted documents, one could argue that classical guitar is allowed at Mass, so I am not going to take any beef with that. My concerns have to do with what the mind of the Church is and with what the Church prefers and upholds as the ideal for sacred music.

So without going on a long diatribe about this, I would say parishes which do not have the ideal sacred music set up could possibly use classical guitar legitimately, but in my opinion, it should only be used as a tool to gradually move the church’s music program towards the ideal of sacred music. We should always be striving for the ideals which the Church has laid out for us, and in the realm of Church music, straight up, Gregorian chant is the true ideal standard of sacred music; the closer something resembles Gregorian chant, the more suited it is to the Liturgy; the less something resembles Gregorian chant, the less suited it is to the Liturgy.

Since it seems you do not have the ideal setup in your parish, fine, I would say go for it since Classical guitar music can be very beautiful. However, I would encourage you to look into the sacred music tradition which the Church has always upheld as truly fitting for the Mass - I am speaking of Gregorian chant and polyphony.