Harmonica during Mass. Thoughts?

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Cat said:
All it takes for you to leave your parish is a harmonica?

That beats anything I ever heard in the church-hop loving Protestant churches. Wow.

**No, she is not changing denominations or Churches. Just parishes. If there is harmonica music at Mass, who knows what other weirdnesses are there. **
You’re giving way too much power to a physical entity. If a harmonica can push you around, then how will you withstand true persecution and trials?
**When you say “true persecution”, it sounds like you agree that this is a form of mild persecution. **

For those of you who are easily-offended by Mass music, I suggest that you ask the Lord to use the offensive music as a “thorn in your flesh” that helps you to be more dependent on Jesus and less dependent on yourself. I also suggest that you use it as a means of developing the discipline of detachment.

You can’t keep leaving parishes because someone yanks your music chain. You will never, ever find a parish that is musically flawless and perfectly in line with your understanding of Mass music. Never. Let’s learn to live with that and find joy in the Mass anyway.
**But some parishes are have much more reverent music than others. **

I’m willing to bet cash that in the harmonica-playing parish, there are plenty of pianists and possibly even an organist who are hiding their lights under bushels and refuse to step out of their comfort zone and play for Mass. Be GRATEFUL that the dear harmonica player is willing to play for Jesus and his/her fellow parishioners at Mass. Jesus will honor that willingness to step up and do the work of the Kingdom of God. Music doesn’t play itself.

**No, we are not grateful that people treat the Mass like it is a talent show. **

And as someone else said, the harmonica is a form of organ–air moving through space. It’s played with the mouth instead of the feet and hands.
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It is very reminiscent of campfires, Westerns, and various forms of pop music (Stevie Wonder, etc.) I’m not saying harmonica is bad, just that it is too secular for use at Mass. Like guitars, in fact. 😉
 
27lw said:
Cymbelstern is an awesome and glorious organ stop!
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So THAT is what I was hearing at Mass two weeks ago. We have a young man who is in the choir, probably early 20’s… who just started playing the organ at certain Masses when the choir sings usually during the entrance and recessional hymns. Very good organist, especially for his age. Anyway, I heard this twinkling bell noise at the last chorus of the hymn, and wasn’t sure where it was coming from, as our DM, when she plays the organ, usually doesn’t use the stops. This totally explains it.
 
Cat said:
All it takes for you to leave your parish is a harmonica?

That beats anything I ever heard in the church-hop loving Protestant churches. Wow.

You’re giving way too much power to a physical entity. If a harmonica can push you around, then how will you withstand true persecution and trials?

For those of you who are easily-offended by Mass music, I suggest that you ask the Lord to use the offensive music as a “thorn in your flesh” that helps you to be more dependent on Jesus and less dependent on yourself. I also suggest that you use it as a means of developing the discipline of detachment.

You can’t keep leaving parishes because someone yanks your music chain. You will never, ever find a parish that is musically flawless and perfectly in line with your understanding of Mass music. Never. Let’s learn to live with that and find joy in the Mass anyway.

I’m willing to bet cash that in the harmonica-playing parish, there are plenty of pianists and possibly even an organist who are hiding their lights under bushels and refuse to step out of their comfort zone and play for Mass. Be GRATEFUL that the dear harmonica player is willing to play for Jesus and his/her fellow parishioners at Mass. Jesus will honor that willingness to step up and do the work of the Kingdom of God. Music doesn’t play itself.

And as someone else said, the harmonica is a form of organ–air moving through space. It’s played with the mouth instead of the feet and hands.
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Amen Cat!
 
ServusHumilis said:
If it was played with taste I might not mind. I’d be more bothered by the guitars. I know of at least one parish where a drum set is employed. :dts:
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I have yet to be at a Mass that used guitars that I didn’t like. People get hung up on the silliest things. When our regular organist is away, a classical guitarist takes over and his music is very beautiful. I think a harmonica would be very nice touch IMHO.
 
Maybe if we were cowboys on a cattle drive having Mass on the open plains. 😛

Honestly, I’ve heard flutes, trumpets, all manner of percussion, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, harp, piano, yes even organ at Mass over the years. If the harmonica player had the skill, I don’t think it would bother me.
 
I have been to Masses with a piano as lead, and a cello as fill, sometimes with a flute, and occasionally with a guitar, but all the instruments simply back the piano.

A harmonica is not one I would choose, were it up to me, unless it was unobtrusive. Given I like the blues, I can understand why some would almost immediately reject the use of a harmonica, but a lot would depend on how it integrated with the other instruments.

There has been one family whose children play stringed instruments, and provide a meditation during a silent period after Communion at our local Trappist abbey for Midnight Mass. Cello, violin, viola - and anyone who would criticize them would get short shrift from me.
 
27lw said:
It is very reminiscent of campfires, Westerns, and various forms of pop music (Stevie Wonder, etc.) I’m not saying harmonica is bad, just that it is too secular for use at Mass. Like guitars, in fact. 😉
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I’m not sure I am posting to the correct person, so forgive me, please.

If you are the one who said that you don’t appreciate people using the Mass as a talent show, would you please explain this?

I do not understand what you are saying.

This is what I hear you saying: People who are talented should not use their talents in the Mass. Instead, they should play, sing, speak, etc. in an amateur way so as not to make the Mass into a “show.”

Is this what you’re saying? If not, please explain.

Thank you.
 
I would be fine with it. Music at Mass is generally one of the last things I think about. Although, once in a while, we have a flute softly accompanying and I think it sounds absolutely beautiful.
 
Cat said:
I’m not sure I am posting to the correct person, so forgive me, please.

If you are the one who said that you don’t appreciate people using the Mass as a talent show, would you please explain this?

I do not understand what you are saying.

This is what I hear you saying: People who are talented should not use their talents in the Mass. Instead, they should play, sing, speak, etc. in an amateur way so as not to make the Mass into a “show.”

Is this what you’re saying? If not, please explain.
Hi Cat. Here’s what I mean:
If people have talents that belong in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, then by all means people should offer them, and play / sing / etc. the best way that they are able. The talent show comment is intended more for people who might not consider whether the Mass is the best venue for their talent. Should talented woodworkers / belly dancers / rappers / DJ mixers offer their talents at Mass? Some talents are needed at the Mass, others…not. Just my opinion, I suppose others may disagree. I happen to think that many musical instruments are not the best fit at Mass.
Thank you.
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Here’s the deal:

Church musicians are generally:
  • not appreciated
  • not paid much if anything
  • expected to be expert cantors
  • be able to play everything from classical Church music to more modern or Praise and Worship music
  • considered snobs if they play “old” church music
  • are vilified if they play praise and worship
  • are given little direction by their bosses (because they know it’s difficult)
  • are expected to mollify all the liturgy experts in the pews
  • are expected to make a fabulous chorus out of the few people who volunteer to sing/play/cantor
  • are expected to do all this on literally no budget and in many cases on sub-standard instruments if any are even present.
So, when people bash them, they get really upset and defensive.
I’ve been a choir director and church musician for about 30 years. I actually began playing in Mass when I was 10 years old. I sang in the choir until I was 21, then I took over the choir.
No retirement accrued, no compensation for the many things I’ve purchased on my own just to make the program better.

But I still LOVE IT. So when people think they know everything about Church musicians…try giving them a break eh?
We work HARD.
It’s a joy (sometimes a headache) and always a privilege.
We do it for God.
We put up with it because it’s who we are. We’re musicians. It’s how we pray.
Please don’t ridicule the way we pray. Even if it’s not to your particular taste…
 
pianistclare said:
Here’s the deal:

Church musicians are generally:
  • not appreciated
  • not paid much if anything
  • expected to be expert cantors
  • be able to play everything from classical Church music to more modern or Praise and Worship music
  • considered snobs if they play “old” church music
  • are vilified if they play praise and worship
  • are given little direction by their bosses (because they know it’s difficult)
  • are expected to mollify all the liturgy experts in the pews
  • are expected to make a fabulous chorus out of the few people who volunteer to sing/play/cantor
  • are expected to do all this on literally no budget and in many cases on sub-standard instruments if any are even present.
So, when people bash them, they get really upset and defensive.
I’ve been a choir director and church musician for about 30 years. I actually began playing in Mass when I was 10 years old. I sang in the choir until I was 21, then I took over the choir.
No retirement accrued, no compensation for the many things I’ve purchased on my own just to make the program better.

But I still LOVE IT. So when people think they know everything about Church musicians…try giving them a break eh?
We work HARD.
It’s a joy (sometimes a headache) and always a privilege.
We do it for God.
We put up with it because it’s who we are. We’re musicians. It’s how we pray.
Please don’t ridicule the way we pray. Even if it’s not to your particular taste…
Click to expand...
This is excellent! It should be stickied. It should be published on CAF on the Home Page as a blog.

The one thing I would add is that many musicians quit when they are subjected to constant criticism and vilifying from their fellow Catholics. Think of how you feel at work or in your home when someone criticizes you, not because you made a mistake and need correction, but because they just don’t like the way you do things.

It hurts. It’s not a question of having thin skin or thick skin. It just HURTS, and when you’re not being paid anyway, why put up with it?

So musicians quit playing/singing/conducting in Catholic churches, and either head for Protestant churches where they are paid and appreciated, or they head for more secular gigs where they can actually advance their career along with getting a paycheck.

The other reason why Catholic musicians quit is to show solidarity with all their gay peers who aren’t welcome in Catholic churches as long as they continue to practice homosexual sex. I absolutely don’t agree with this reason for quitting, but it happens too often. I don’t know how the Church can deal with this. I think it’s one of the main reasons why there aren’t a lot of experienced and educated musicians in many Catholic parishes. Even if musicians aren’t gay themselves, they often support their gay peers. Sigh. It’s a tough dilemma.

So be nice to your parish musicians. They really aren’t trying to destroy the Church. 🙂
 
pianistclare said:
Here’s the deal:

Church musicians are generally:
  • not appreciated
  • not paid much if anything
  • expected to be expert cantors
  • be able to play everything from classical Church music to more modern or Praise and Worship music
  • considered snobs if they play “old” church music
  • are vilified if they play praise and worship
  • are given little direction by their bosses (because they know it’s difficult)
  • are expected to mollify all the liturgy experts in the pews
  • are expected to make a fabulous chorus out of the few people who volunteer to sing/play/cantor
  • are expected to do all this on literally no budget and in many cases on sub-standard instruments if any are even present.
So, when people bash them, they get really upset and defensive.
I’ve been a choir director and church musician for about 30 years. I actually began playing in Mass when I was 10 years old. I sang in the choir until I was 21, then I took over the choir.
No retirement accrued, no compensation for the many things I’ve purchased on my own just to make the program better.

But I still LOVE IT. So when people think they know everything about Church musicians…try giving them a break eh?
We work HARD.
It’s a joy (sometimes a headache) and always a privilege.
We do it for God.
We put up with it because it’s who we are. We’re musicians. It’s how we pray.
Please don’t ridicule the way we pray. Even if it’s not to your particular taste…
Click to expand...
a million thanks and standing ovation!
 
My thoughts???

The way we pray (and music is held in high esteem in the liturgy) should have** less** to do with particular preference and more to do with what is worthy of the Eucharist.

I’ve never heard the harmonica played reverently, nor would I associate that instrument with what is sacred. If someone could prove this wrong, I might be okay with it just as long as the congregation didn’t start tapping their feet to the beat of the music. :eek:
 
Tigg said:
My thoughts???

The way we pray (and music is held in high esteem in the liturgy) should have** less** to do with particular preference and more to do with what is worthy of the Eucharist.

I’ve never heard the harmonica played reverently, nor would I associate that instrument with what is sacred. If someone could prove this wrong, I might be okay with it just as long as the congregation didn’t start tapping their feet to the beat of the music. :eek:
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It seems to me that you are contradicting yourself.

You say that preference should have little influence on the music/liturgy of the Mass.

But then you express your preference, stating that YOU have never heard the harmonica played reverently, and that YOU would not associate that instrument with what is sacred.

So YOUR preference should be taken into account, but not the preference of others?

And yes, the liturgy should be what God wants. But who decides what God wants? The Church has said that the organ should be used in the Mass, but what is an organ? It is an instrument in which air passes through various tubes (or this can also be duplicated electronically). That’s what a harmonica is, but it’s not as big and there are not as many tubes.

The important thing to remember is that the territorial authority (the bishop and the priests) have the authority from the Church to make decisions about the music in their parishes, and if the priest in this situation decided that a harmonica is appropriate for the Mass, then we should not allow our personal preference to undermine what the priest has decided. We don’t have to like it, but we shouldn’t try to say that it’s somehow inappropriate.
 
Tigg said:
My thoughts???

The way we pray (and music is held in high esteem in the liturgy) should have** less** to do with particular preference and more to do with what is worthy of the Eucharist.

I’ve never heard the harmonica played reverently, nor would I associate that instrument with what is sacred. If someone could prove this wrong, I might be okay with it just as long as the congregation didn’t start tapping their feet to the beat of the music. :eek:
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I kind of agree. If we are at the point where someone takes a mouth organ our of a pocket like a hobo on a train and starts bellowing out music at Mass with it, then acappela is probably the better option…
 
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