Musical instruments used during mass

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Ok, so this is kind of a two part question. First off, the reason that I started this thread is because there is this instrument that I play called an ocarina. If you’ve never heard of it, here’s a vid of what it looks and sounds like>>youtube.com/watch?v=WoR7iWG9au8
Playing this instrument and perfecting this skill has become quite a hobby of mine, but I want to use it for more than just playing it in my bedroom 😃 Do you think it would be acceptable to ask my church’s musical director if I can join their ensemble, or do you think it would be too unusual an instrument for mass? They currently consist of guitarists, a pianist, and stand up bassist that accompany vocals. Sometimes, during special occasions, they get violinists, flute players, and a trumpeter. It would be one way I could use this hobby of mine for the service of others and the glory of God 🙂

Now, what about more traditional views that say that only the organ and vocals should be used for mass? Is it wrong to use other instruments? Is there some sort of guide as to what sort of instruments are acceptable? What about guitars and piano? Many churches use them but some of the more traditional types might think even those are too secular for the use of mass worship, or do they even think that at all? Don’t get me wrong, I definitely think there shouldn’t be “rocking out” in church, I just want to know if there’s any sort of official teaching on this.

Thanks in advance 🙂
 
absolutely beautiful instrument…
Simply approach your music director and set up a time to play something appropriate - audition. Worse that can happen is “No - Thank you.”

As for instruments for Mass…
We have had everything from the small string and flute to a guitar/drum - the music is taken from the hymnal or arrangements therefrom that are appropriate for a Mass and my parish is a very old and established Franciscan-rooted congregation. If we’ll allow it, then I would suspect it’s not too far off from being universally allowed.

Personally, I really don’t like the guitar band at Mass; however, they give of their time and their talent and I’m grateful to them for that and I’d much rather have them than not!

Praying for your success!
 
Any type of present or future instrument conceivable can be used for public worship, bearing in mind that bishops have the right to censor music (among other things) in order to maintain that the purpose of public worship is to worship. Music, just like anything else in the sanctuary, is correctly used to aid in a person’s love-making with God, not to distract or bedazzle.
 
roseproject said:
Ok, so this is kind of a two part question. First off, the reason that I started this thread is because there is this instrument that I play called an ocarina. If you’ve never heard of it, here’s a vid of what it looks and sounds like>>youtube.com/watch?v=WoR7iWG9au8
Playing this instrument and perfecting this skill has become quite a hobby of mine, but I want to use it for more than just playing it in my bedroom 😃 Do you think it would be acceptable to ask my church’s musical director if I can join their ensemble, or do you think it would be too unusual an instrument for mass? They currently consist of guitarists, a pianist, and stand up bassist that accompany vocals. Sometimes, during special occasions, they get violinists, flute players, and a trumpeter. It would be one way I could use this hobby of mine for the service of others and the glory of God 🙂

Now, what about more traditional views that say that only the organ and vocals should be used for mass? Is it wrong to use other instruments? Is there some sort of guide as to what sort of instruments are acceptable? What about guitars and piano? Many churches use them but some of the more traditional types might think even those are too secular for the use of mass worship, or do they even think that at all? Don’t get me wrong, I definitely think there shouldn’t be “rocking out” in church, I just want to know if there’s any sort of official teaching on this.

Thanks in advance 🙂
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I think that was beautiful, not something I was familar with. I think I would go to the music director and demonstrate your skills on it (as well as the priest). Something like this that is soft and melodious could be very reverent and wonderful at Mass.
 
z_0101 said:
absolutely beautiful instrument…
Simply approach your music director and set up a time to play something appropriate - audition. Worse that can happen is “No - Thank you.”

As for instruments for Mass…
We have had everything from the small string and flute to a guitar/drum - the music is taken from the hymnal or arrangements therefrom that are appropriate for a Mass and my parish is a very old and established Franciscan-rooted congregation. If we’ll allow it, then I would suspect it’s not too far off from being universally allowed.

Personally, I really don’t like the guitar band at Mass; however, they give of their time and their talent and I’m grateful to them for that and I’d much rather have them than not!

Praying for your success!
Click to expand...
Indeed, it is a beautiful instrument and sounds absolutely wonderful in a places with lots of with acoustics like a cathedral 😃

My parents are involved in the music ministry and I’ve played in the cathedral before and they all loved the sound of it, so I should have no problem with them agreeing to let me in.

Come to think of it, even the Vatican’s music features a wide variety of instruments. I guess why I got confused is that certain types of masses only utilize organ and vocals for some reason, right?
 
The biggest challenge might be to find the right arrangement for the instrument. My oldest daughter has several different ocarinas and each one has a different voice and timbre so you would need to select music that is close in range for the particular ocarina and potentially be creative where the music doesn’t fit the range. You’d also need to experiment with the piece since ocarinas don’t produce overtones the same as say a flute so they dont always sound quite right for pieces that take advantage of qualities of specific instruments.
 
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😃

No reason it can’t be played during Mass. Our Extraordinary Form Christmas Mass included a trumpet/organ duet or two. I’ve also seen clarinets and many other instruments played during Mass and Fr once invited a violin player to play during Mass. Heck, full orchestras have been utilized for many traditional Mass settings.
 
Usige said:
The biggest challenge might be to find the right arrangement for the instrument. My oldest daughter has several different ocarinas and each one has a different voice and timbre so you would need to select music that is close in range for the particular ocarina and potentially be creative where the music doesn’t fit the range. You’d also need to experiment with the piece since ocarinas don’t produce overtones the same as say a flute so they dont always sound quite right for pieces that take advantage of qualities of specific instruments.
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Yeah, I thought about that. There may only be a certain number of pieces that would suit the instrument. I could always sing for the songs that I don’t play my ocarina for 🙂 Of course, the musical director we have is very proficient in coming up with arrangements so, we’ll see I guess.
As far as range goes, the ocarinas I currently own have the standard 1 octave plus 5 range. I am, however, in the process of ordering a triple chamber ocarina which has a range of around three octaves (so excited, ahhh!).
 
Would flute parts be playable with an ocarina? They sound close enough.
 
ServusHumilis said:
Would flute parts be playable with an ocarina? They sound close enough.
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Yes, as long as the range of the song is compatible with it 🙂 It’s very common for people to play flute songs on the ocarina. It’s a nice alternative if you’re looking for a smoother and warmer sound, I would say.
 
Beautiful sound. If it provides beautiful music to be offered to God, then yes… and it is absolutely soothing and beautiful.
 
roseproject said:
Now, what about more traditional views that say that only the organ and vocals should be used for mass?
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Actually this sounds like an organ stop. Very nice. And the harmonics as well.

As for vocals, not true. There have been many traditional works that are non-vocal and used for communion and for the silent canon, for example.
 
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