Music to help with prayer

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dje101

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Hi everyone!!!

When I pray at night, like most people, I sometimes find my mind wandering, sometimes I hear a particular song that’s been stuck in my head all day. So, I will put on pandora radio and listen to a gregorian chant channel, which really helps me. But it kind of sucks when a commercial comes on and kind of shocks me. Lol.

So, I have two questions:

1). Does anyone else find music helpful/soothing during your prayer/meditation time, and if so, what kind of music?

2). For those who like Gregorian Chant, is there a specific group/album that you’d recommend for me to get so I don’t have to deal with those pesky commercials?

Thanks! I look forward to hearing peoples’ replies!

Derek
 
Consider some of the classics as well, like Bach. My pastor, who has a music degree, even plays classical music over the loudspeakers during confession for the atmosphere and to make it a little more private.

Bach is often considered “centering.” Beethoven “passion.” Mozart “joy.” Of course these are broad strokes, but they can be useful.

Like for Bach, maybe some “choral preludes,” (Here’s one on organ.) or “[Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring.” Another good one by Bach is the Violin Concerto in E Major.

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) For Beethoven I like things like the first movement of the moonlight sonata or the second movement of the Pathetique. Here’s me butchering the Pathetique – you’ll likely want to find a better performance. 😛

Alan
 
AlanFromWichita said:
Consider some of the classics as well, like Bach. My pastor, who has a music degree, even plays classical music over the loudspeakers during confession for the atmosphere and to make it a little more private.

Bach is often considered “centering.” Beethoven “passion.” Mozart “joy.” Of course these are broad strokes, but they can be useful.

Like for Bach, maybe some “choral preludes,” (Here’s one on organ.) or “[Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring.” Another good one by Bach is the Violin Concerto in E Major.

](
) For Beethoven I like things like the first movement of the moonlight sonata or the second movement of the Pathetique. Here’s me butchering the Pathetique – you’ll likely want to find a better performance. 😛

Alan
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Hmmm…:hmmm:

Never considered using classical music. I’ve just started getting in to Gregorian Chant. Never really liked it, but I heard people talking about it in my girlfriend’s choir, so I thought I would give it a chance. Turns out…its awesome!!
 
dje101 said:
Hmmm…:hmmm:

Never considered using classical music. I’ve just started getting in to Gregorian Chant. Never really liked it, but I heard people talking about it in my girlfriend’s choir, so I thought I would give it a chance. Turns out…its awesome!!
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I think what’s important is that music communicates with us on levels that are way below our ability to actually understand. We know it effects us, but it’s like a beautiful sunset. Describing it is nice, but experiencing it is the only way.

I don’t know much chant at all, except when I have to accompany kids singing chant for Mass, which they did during Lent. I think part of the magic is that it goes in deeper than the intellectual level in a way much richer than any number of words could describe. It’s like “musical Lectio Divina” in a way. (my new term for it)

Alan
 
AlanFromWichita said:
I think what’s important is that music communicates with us on levels that are way below our ability to actually understand. We know it effects us, but it’s like a beautiful sunset. Describing it is nice, but experiencing it is the only way.

I don’t know much chant at all, except when I have to accompany kids singing chant for Mass, which they did during Lent. I think part of the magic is that it goes in deeper than the intellectual level in a way much richer than any number of words could describe. It’s like “musical Lectio Divina” in a way. (my new term for it)

Alan
Click to expand...
Alan, you are right on target once again! Music does communicate with us on such a deep level. Recently at our local Catholic school, a boy brought in music and played it as part of a classroom project. The song was about being sexy and knowing it, having passion in his pants, etc…it is evidently a very popular song. I have been trying to express to the staff how this music should not be played to 12 year olds…I am very surprised at how many people look at me as if I am on a different planet…and don’t get what I am saying… One of my objections is that music seems to have a clearcut path to the soul…why not play musci that aids contemplation and helps increase one’s prayer life instead?
 
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