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Allegra
Guest
My didgeridoo experience is limited, but I always thought they had a very meditative sound.
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corsair
Guest
I once attended a parish, in the 80’s, where the “band” played a guitar, banjo, a wash tub with a long stick attached with 3 cords so that it made the sound of a bass fiddle. and a thing they called a “rain stick”. They always played up near the Sanctuary and acted as if they were entertaining us. 
I no longer attend there. Where I go now has a large organ and a Latin choir that stays up in the choir loft. We hear the EF low Mass every day with a Sung High Mass every Sunday.
What a difference!!!
I no longer attend there. Where I go now has a large organ and a Latin choir that stays up in the choir loft. We hear the EF low Mass every day with a Sung High Mass every Sunday.
What a difference!!!
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exnihilo
Guest
I would find a tambourine to be distracting and annoying at Mass. Some will mention different cultures using different instruments making different music. I won’t dispute that. But for some reason the native inherited culture of European Catholicism gets thrown by the wayside for modern or foreign culture. There is plenty of great music from the Catholic European tradition. It would be nice if this was drawn upon rather than insisting we imitate some other culture.
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servantofall
Guest
That would be fine if Europeans were the only Catholics. Catholicism crosses all cultures and has since the first century. As an African- American Catholic the tradition of gospel music in the liturgy enhances worship. This tradition began as the slaves incorporated their traditions into worship. Here in New Orleans slaves were allowed to gather in Congo Square on Sundays where the traditional drums of Wes Africa were used. No one is pushing European culture aside and incorporating foreign cultures only worshipping within their culture which is allowed by the church.
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MrsAngelala
Guest
If your pastor has authorized it (and if it was your MD asked you, I assume that’s the case), then it’s not on your shoulders and you can play it or not. If you don’t want to play it, simply decline; if you do, then okay!
I personally find tamborine inappropriate at Mass because Mass should encourage and embody “the sober inebriation of the Holy Spirit” (The Spirit of the Liturgy, Ratzinger) – and jingling sounds are not sober, even if one can argue they’re “in rhythm” or “percussive.” I also find jingling distracting, not at all conducive to meditation or worship. However, the instrumentation at Mass is really and truly is a pastoral judgement, to be made by the church’s pastor. My opinion means nothing!
If you’d like to read for yourself what the church officially says on the subject of musical instruments at Mass, there’s very little. Go all the way back to the current primary source, Musicam Sacram, and read section VI – Sacred Instrumental Music (paragraphs 62-67). Officially, there’s also “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship” put out by the USCCB, and of course the GIRM. Just use the index.
I personally find tamborine inappropriate at Mass because Mass should encourage and embody “the sober inebriation of the Holy Spirit” (The Spirit of the Liturgy, Ratzinger) – and jingling sounds are not sober, even if one can argue they’re “in rhythm” or “percussive.” I also find jingling distracting, not at all conducive to meditation or worship. However, the instrumentation at Mass is really and truly is a pastoral judgement, to be made by the church’s pastor. My opinion means nothing!
If you’d like to read for yourself what the church officially says on the subject of musical instruments at Mass, there’s very little. Go all the way back to the current primary source, Musicam Sacram, and read section VI – Sacred Instrumental Music (paragraphs 62-67). Officially, there’s also “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship” put out by the USCCB, and of course the GIRM. Just use the index.
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exnihilo
Guest
I never said Europeans were the only Catholics. But I do think the traditional European culture is being pushed aside. At least in my immediate area I can find a Black parish that has Gospel music, a Hispanic service with Hispanic music, but I’m not going to find traditional European Catholic music. The closest I’ll come will be modern Protestant hymns.
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Penitent_Son
Guest
I sing in the choir, the 8 am and 12 pm masses. At the 8 am mass we usually have the organ and piano, sometimes a guitar. I rarely hear or notice the guitar.
At the 12 pm mass there are 2 guitars and a drummer. Even with 2 guitars, I still don’t hear them but the drums I hear and I don’t like it at all. To me, It doesn’t feel right and it just doesn’t sound right.
At the 12 pm mass there are 2 guitars and a drummer. Even with 2 guitars, I still don’t hear them but the drums I hear and I don’t like it at all. To me, It doesn’t feel right and it just doesn’t sound right.
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phil19034
Guest
If I went to an African-American Catholic Parish, I would EXPECT gospel music as it does enhance the worship for them. It’s part of their culture.
As Cardinal Sarah stated, even Liturgical Dance is appropriate in a culture where dance is considered a form of worship.
However, Gospel Music and Liturgical Dance are NOT cultural traditions of Europeans and people of European descent.
If a parish wants to have a Gospel Music Mass, label a mass as such.
For example, something like this imaginary parish:
– 7:30 AM Mass is going to be a no-music mass
– 9:00 AM is going to be a Latin Mass or English Mass with Chant and/or Traditional Hymns
– 10:45 AM Mass is going to have the Gospel Choir.
– 12:15 PM Mass uses contemporary music (like OCP music, etc)
– 2PM Mass is going to be in Spanish
I see lots of Anglican Churches doing this. Why can’t Catholic Parishes?
If a parish has more than one Mass on Sunday, why can’t each Mass have different music types so people can attend (at their own parish) the type of Mass that best helps them pray? Why do so many parishes force the contemporary music on everyone at all the Masses?
I’m not saying don’t use contemporary music, but offer at least one Mass with traditional music.
At my parish, the solution for people who don’t like the contemporary music (which we use mainly just with an organ) is to offer a 7:15 AM Mass with no singing at all.
Why is it too much to offer one Mass that uses chant (even if it’s in English)?
Sorry… my rant is over. This subject gets me fired up because I don’t think it’s too hard to accommodate people who prefer a more solemn liturgy, which can be done totally in English (as it is at my Cathedral Sunday).
God Bless
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kn601
Guest
Thank you everyone! I enjoy hearing all your thoughts. It’s good to hear different viewpoints on a topic like this. I used to play the flute and wish I never stopped. My plan is to pick it back up again and get going. Until I am confident to play it for an audience I will partake in the music for Mass by playing the tambourine as an accompaniment to the guitars we have. I think both the entrance and recessional hymns would be best for it and I will select which hymns it can tastefully be part of. I am excited to offer any musical talent again since I really love the Lord and praising Him. I hope that shows through my music!
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Don_Ruggero
Guest
Actually, as an old European who has celebrated Mass in the Vetus Ordo as well as in the Novus Ordo, Mass throughout Europe, North America, and beyond… Of all of it, my most cherished memories are the Masses I celebrated that were the most beautiful and the most vibrant: and those were the African liturgies.
I would have been more than content to have never looked upon or heard another pipe organ again…the liturgical music with the drums, the other instruments was magnificent. Indeed everything about those liturgies was unsurpassed.
During that time, in those Masses, I experienced the zenith of having witnessed the liturgical reform and renewal unfold across decades, from those days long ago of the liturgical movement down to those moments – and it was an absolute joy to behold where the Holy Spirit has so wonderfully led the Church since my long ago youth.
May God bless you and those offering these liturgies that you describe in New Orleans.
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Don_Ruggero
Guest
I assure you of an old priest’s prayers…for your tambourine playing and for your flute playing as well. I have every confidence that your love for the Lord does show through in your music for the liturgy. May God bless you.Thank you everyone! I enjoy hearing all your thoughts. It’s good to hear different viewpoints on a topic like this. I used to play the flute and wish I never stopped. My plan is to pick it back up again and get going. Until I am confident to play it for an audience I will partake in the music for Mass by playing the tambourine as an accompaniment to the guitars we have. I think both the entrance and recessional hymns would be best for it and I will select which hymns it can tastefully be part of. I am excited to offer any musical talent again since I really love the Lord and praising Him. I hope that shows through my music!
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kn601
Guest
Thank you so much! God bless you too!
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tawny
Guest
Beautiful.
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twf
Guest
The ancient Ethiopic Rite, native to Africa, employs a liturgical drum. It is, however, used in a very solemn manner appropriate to the liturgy…more of a steady rhythmic beat.
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twf
Guest
Based on your description, I am imagining that the African faithful actually actively participated in the music…they actually sang…joined in. Sadly, despite the best attempts of clergy and other leaders since Vatican II, I don’t see that in my neck of the woods. Regardless of musical style…whether it by Latin polyphony at the cathedral, guitar folk music in a suburban parish, or Evangelical style “praise and worship”, you rarely seem to see anyone outside of the choir opening their mouths to sing along. I’m not sure what the solution is.
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psalm90
Guest
At a weekday Mass, the music director played that song that has the line “and play for Him on glad tambourines…”
The pastor was greeting people as they left and I said to him that I wish I had a tambourine to accompany that song. The Catholic view is to take whatever someone says in the most positive way. (Of course I was just fumbling for something to say as I passed him by, rather than to ignore him.)
Now, the verse doesn’t say “…and play for Him on glad tambourines if you’re qualified.…” but that was the condescending response I got from my pastor. I didn’t argue the point.
I changed parishes and there is a man, I’d suspect that his is of a retirement age, who accompanies the piano and organ with either a flute or an oboe. I think that adds a nice touch. The parish intends to replace the organ in a couple years, and the organ could be equipped with those “stops” for flute and oboe, but in the meantime, it’s nice to hear somebody who is so talented.
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Lormar
Guest
Such an instrument (the tambourine) seems inappropriate to me at Mass.
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pianistclare
Guest
As Catholic’s we were not exactly ever encouraged to sing. That was the job of the choir, the schola, the cantor, whomever. School children are taught to sing in Catholic schools but as we get older, that falls away. We somehow have begun to believe that unless our offering is PERFECT (witness this thread) then it’s unworthy.
This happens in my current parish. You see everyone taking a songsheet and then just staring at the choir.
Choir leaders would do well to select accessible music, and encourage folks to participate.
We musicians are called to lead in song, not monopolize the song. The song is part of the prayer.
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twf
Guest
I wonder if this has ever been tried… if the pastor was agreeable, have the choir try three very distinct styles over 3 Sundays… then let the faithful take an exit poll to see what the general preference of the parish actually is. I wonder how often the pastor or choir simply assumes their congregation wants this or that style.
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