Harmonica during Mass. Thoughts?

[pianistclare]

Cat, and Pianistclaire,

I know that the brunt of criticism on musical matters is heaped upon you two. And from what I gather, you both are excellent at your jobs and very respectful and reverent.

But, you both obviously are blessed to not have to deal with absolute silliness when it comes to music in Mass. I have seen both the good and bad. And even the good is sometimes bad. I have seen a drum set with the “band” name on it behind a glass partition used to bang out some sort of contemporary Top 20 Christian song at Mass. I have seen secular songs used, bongos, electric guitars, and once, (I am not kidding) a turntable.
I have witness music directors who have bullied a parish or a priest. (especially if the priest happens to be foreign) into making Mass into a personal concert.

So, when someone complains about music at Mass, you need to also remember that they may have been involved with something that could be quite traumatic (spiritually speaking)

And as the flag bearers for “music done right” in a parish or the lack of properly trained musicians it should anger you guys most of all.

My current parish is probably one of the most musically talented in the country. They have released a hymnal that is used in several countries and diocese as an alternative to OCP. But even then, there is something distracting about the music in the Mass. Something that is out of whack.

I had a long conversation with a music minister for teens a month or two ago. And I can tell you, that the problem is indeed with the amount of material out there. It is overwhelmingly protestant. But really, think about it, after VII more music was introduced into the Mass. But, in English many “Traditional” Hymns were protestant, baptist or Anglican or Lutheran in nature. Because that is what “Church liturgies” had been ok with when they moved away from the Mass and more toward a “service” So by the time Catholics open the Mass to more music, all we have to choose from is cookie cutter christian top 20 songs, or old school southern baptist hymns. (a generalization to be sure) There is a lack of talent and material on the Catholic side. And that is not to be fixed quickly.

What happens now is a band like david crowder (whom I LOVE) releases adoration songs (not Catholic adoration but “hands up” let the spirit take you away, amen" adoration songs. And we adopt them for a communion hymn at Mass. A square peg, in a round hole. For they are not written for a liturgical season or part of a Catholic Mass but for general nondenom. “worship” Which is not what a Mass is.

Not to mention the people who spell my name wrong…LOL

Just kiddin ya…thanks for the acknowledgement of some of the hassles of being a Music Director. I’m currently the DRE at the parish, and last night they asked me to sit down and sight read all the music for the Immaculate Conception Mass. Glad to be asked. The current Director and I don’t see eye to eye on tempo… was kind of funny.
I even transposed the hymns and Mass parts into a singable key. The choir didn’t even notice, but the congregation was like “WOW! What did you do? I could sing ALL the songs tonight!”

 

[Cat]

I’ve been playing harmonica professionally – both chromatic and diatonic – for almost 50 years, and am competent in most styles of performance from classical to jazz. I love the “harp” but don’t think harmonica’s are the kind of instruments that belongs in a church setting despite their ability, when properly played, to evoke a positive response from many listeners. Put simply, the instrument’s voice is too small. It’s essentially (with notable exceptions) a melody instrument set in the soprano range, and that makes its voice acoustically “thin.” Its volume is not controlled by the amount of air that is pushed or drawn over its reeds, rather its “loudness” comes from the size of the performer’s mouth, the “bell” created by the cup of his hands, and the intensity of his performance – some guys are naturally louder than others. Nonetheless, the harmonica in an acoustic setting, regardless of how loudly it is played is incapable of competing with an instrument such as the trumpet. They’re just not built to be loud. A properly played harmonica requires amplification in order to be heard well. I think this points away from its use as a liturgical instrument.Most liturgical instruments do not require amplification in order to be heard.Think about it: organs, trumpets, violins, pianos and (especially) the human voice – none of these need be amplified to be heard. I think that the harmonica belongs on the concert stage and not in the choir loft.

The amplification argument doesn’t cut it. The organ, including the pipe organ, requires amplification. In many parishes (including mine), the piano (we have an acoustic grand) is amplified.

Since you play an instrument, you certainly recognize that the need for amplification is determined by the ROOM, not the instrument. In a room (or nave) with good acoustics, a small child’s thin, soft voice can be heard with no amplification.

But in many rooms (naves), amplification is necessary, especially for the human voice.

Our nave is a clamshell, and the acoustics are dreadful. We have a lot of $$ invested in a sound system, and it still doesn’t work sometimes, depending on where you are sitting in the clamshell.

 

[pianistclare]

HA! I’ve often joked that our amplification system is a Dixie cup and a string.
Awful when you can’t even hear the homily.

 

[August_Carlson]

I think the amplification issue does cut it. Pipe organs do not require amplification nor do pianos (if the piano is a bit “soft” for the room, lift the lid and step on the pedal). Bach’s organ required no amplification and he lit up the Thomaskirche which probably holds about 800. His vocal cantatas and Masses were heard by everyone below the loft – not a word was lost. Electronic sound amplification is a product of the early-middle part of the 20th century. Prior to that, there were no microphones or amps – none. Churches did just fine. People heard the music and they heard the preaching. When I think of the great preachers of the past – Anthony of Padua, Ambrose, John Chrystostom, Dominic, Donne, Wesley, Jonathan Edwards et al, I think of men who, inspired by the Lord Almighty, raised their human voices to be heard – and I think of a people who willingly hushed themselves to listen. They didn’t need a mic. The people of our generation have been spoiled by amplification. We’ve forgotten how to use our God-given voices. We’ve forgotten how to speak and we’ve forgotten how to listen.

The liturgy is the most human and most natural event ever blessed by God. Heaven and earth come together in one place. And we must be aware that the liturgy does not need a specially designed building to exist. People have heard the Mass said in hedgerows and on the battlefield. Humans exist in acoustic space. A modern church building that needs sound reinforcement is a building that is poorly designed. It presumes electricity. It presumes modern convenience. But it does not necessarily presume worship.

Now, that being said, I am not opposed to a properly designed facility for the purpose of worship any more than I am opposed to a properly designed concert hall, but let’s be frank, for at least 1,000 years, people have been celebrating the Mass together in magnificently designed churches that carried sound beautifully in acoustic space. The church building was the amplifier. The music of the Church – its chant (with it’s Latin vowel-laden melismas) and polyphony (with its wave-upon-wave of harmony) – were composed to "fit’ those spaces. Those buildings relied on candles and sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows for their lighting, and their roof and walls were sufficient for protection from the elements (no heat, no air conditioning). Should we go back to those times? No. We can’t. But we should remember that worship does not nor should it presume electricity.

If we want to reform or restore our liturgical music and the quality of our proclamation of the Gospel, we should remember who God made us to be. We can sing and preach loudly and well, and we can perform on instruments that have been designed to be heard in acoustic space.

 

[robwar]

The real issue in these discussions is that people often live with their noses in rubrics.
Real parishes seldom mimic these “ideals”.
I have applied for Music Director positions at parishes that seem to have it all together, that profess to care deeply about the liturgy, and then the interviewing committee and the pastor were horrified to hear that I could incorporate chant, actually horrified at the prospect. The parish has no intention on spending tens of thousands on a pipe organ.
They are a ‘contemporary parish’. Or any other number of reasons why they can’t/won’t/don’t allow certain types of music.
There are people who have often expressed that they love their parish, that they pray in Latin, that they chant regularly, that they have a Schola cantorum. Well good for them.
That’s cool, if that’s what you like. But the bottom line is, that pastors want to have varying kinds of music to keep the people in the pews. People here have expressed that if themusic was not to their liking they would leave a parish. Parishes pick a style and that’s what they want. Or, they have hymnals already, and they just have to use them because they can’t outfit the place with all new hymnals because some parishioners just don’t like the ones they have.
This is not to say that we can’t strive for perfection or something that everyone can have in their parishes that truly enhances their prayer lives.
But the reality is that parishes have limited funds, and parishioners are just as vocal at the parish level as there are on the boards.
It’s a headache for the pastor. I often wish that people who are angry at the music choices would stop to think how it burdens a priest who is trying to keep everyone happy. He bases his decision on what he feels is best for his flock. Whether or not we understand or like it.
It’s like children who want something for Christmas because everyone else has it.
Sometimes the family just can’t swing it. Or they just don’t want to.
If the guy permits harmonica, we can like it or loathe it. But it’s the presider’s decision.
People who “school” their priest often are asked to find another parish. Is it a charitable, learned, or a worthy thing to do? On either side of the issue?
Finger wagging rarely goes well. It only divides.
Over something as BEAUTIFUL as the gift of “music”.

:clapping: