Instrumental Music and its Relationship to Song.
Hymns or sacred music are always related but not limited to song. However, sacred music is at its best potential when it is offered up in song precisely because it is a form of prayer. A song is simply a form of music composition where words are put into music/tune. Therefore, a song can only be performed by singing. These words that are put into music are words of prayer.
Paradoxically, instrumental music can also be referred to as "songs without words"
One of the most ancient prayers put into song (that were recorded in human or religious history) is the psalms. Unfortunately, only the words are recorded. The original tune or melody did not survive. This is because there was no developed system for music notation in those times. I am sure there were also songs not recorded both in its literal and musical forms. In those days, music or songs were taught and passed down to future generations mainly by rote. (we shall discuss music notation in the near future)
Every country, school and almost every society and organisation have their own anthem song. What about the Church? Does Mother Church have Her own anthem song? No. But, song itself is the Church's anthem. Singing and Church goes hand in hand. This is not a result of deliberate human invention but it only falls naturally as far as worship is concerned. It is almost an instinct for humans to worship in song.
Let us refer to the former Cardinal Ratzinger's view on this:
"When man comes into contact with God, mere speech is not enough. Areas of his existence are awakened that spontaneously turn into song. Indeed, man's own being is insufficient for what he has to express, and so he invites the whole of creation to become a song with him. (read psalm 57:8f). We find the first mentioning of singing in the Bible after the crossing of the Red Sea."
He then went on to write "Liturgical singing is established in the midst of this great historical tension. For Israel, the event of salvation in the Red Sea will always be the main reason for praising God, the basic theme of songs it sings before God"
Since the basic theme here for the songs we sing is salvation, therefore it confirms my earlier statement of "Song itself is the Church's own anthem" in paragraph 3. For Christians, the Resurrection of Christ is the true Exodus.
He then also wrote that "Quite spontaneously, the Psalter becomes the prayer book of the infant Church, which, with equal spontaneity, has become a Church that sings her prayers"
Singing as a form of prayer and worship has been practiced even in the early church. 1 COR 14:26 "When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." Here St. Paul provides us with an interesting information about the order of service in early Christian liturgy.
Since the early liturgical singing (psalms) are of an Israeli origin, it can be concluded that it is an instrumentally supported singing. As far as this combination is concerned, we are on the right track.
We have many styles of sacred music;
1)Gregorian Chant (inherited tradition of Psalm-singing)
2)Baroque Polyphony
3)Symphonic/operatic
4)Pop (including all modern/contemporary forms of music like rock, ballads, country & western etc)
5)Local formed culture
Sacred music then can be divided into 2 categories;
1)Liturgical
2)Religious
Therefore, we need to determine which of the 5 styles are suitable for the liturgy (mass)
Needless to say then, we ought to be exposed to all the 5 styles and develop them as part of our repertoire. At this point in time, we are limited to one style which is POP (gross generalisation). Are we just comfortable within our comfort zone of POP? If we are, it is time to embrace change. Change sounds difficult and taxing but with the Holy Spirit and God's grace, anything is possible, only if we will it.
In our age and time shaped by culture, we are prone to be Pop-based. Malaysia is only 50 years old. The Church here is very young. Today, when you switch on the radio, the television or any form of media, everything is Pop culture. We "owe" it to Hollywood or America (gross generalisation) for this.
Pop culture isn't bad at all. It is just part of inculturation and progression of the human expression. However, Pop culture shouldn't be an end in itself and must be within the boundaries of TRUTH of true Christian worship.
If we are only to dwell in Pop, which we are ever too comfortable in, then we will lose the richness of Church tradition found in the other styles. Is pop all we have to offer to the future generation? Think again.
I now would like to encourage you and challenge you to develop the other styles of sacred music.
Haydn, a prominent composer during the 18th century and the father of symphonies said this to this effect of; That he experienced by anticipation of experiencing the reality of the Resurrection, and so it brings with it the joy of being loved, the gladness of heart when he set liturgical texts to music.
And so therefore, Cardinal Ratzinger concluded that:
"Thus a relation of liturgical music to *logos means, first of all, simply its relation to words. That is why singing in the liturgy has priority over instrumental music, though it does not in any way exclude it."
*logos means word/literal text
His statement is somewhat similar to what I have written in the 1st paragraph. Songs are words of prayer.
In some churches, the balance between singing and instrument playing is a little bit lop-sided. By that I mean that we have very little singers in the choir. In fact, most of the time, it is not really a choir but rather a bunch of enthusiastic servants of God singing. At times, there are more instrumentalist than singers serving in a mass. This is not meant to be a criticism or fault finding. It is just the way it is.
Having a choir makes a huge positive difference to sacred & liturgical music.
In summary, what I am trying to bring home is this;
1)Developing a Chorus (choir), not a band.
2)Increasing variability of style of sacred music.
3)Of all the styles, gregorian chant and sacred polyphony are to be given pride of place in the liturgy.
Yes we can and we must only for the greater Glory of God and only God and God alone.
Dear Lord Jesus the everlasting Logos, we pray for a sense of right worship befitting a King like you. Let us work together in unity and joy to serve you better in developing a proficient Choir and to embrace different styles which are unique to the tradition of your Church. We ask for your blessings in this area of growth and we thank you for all the talents and blessings that you have bestowed upon us. Amen.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Colour Your Music (B)
Colour Your Music (B)
In Colour Your Music (A), we discussed about colours and we made a comparison between the Optical and the Musical and we find so many similarities between the two spheres of art as far as colour is concerned.
Here instead, I would like to point out some very interesting differences.
We know that there are many different types of colours. The spectrum is so vast. The colour of an object depends on what rays it reflects and absorb. There are 2 poles to the colour chart;
TRUE BLACK -------------------------------and--------------------------------TRUE WHITE
Every other colour falls between these 2 extreme opposites or limits.
However, musical or audio colours have no such limits nor "dead ends" so to speak. The spectrum is endless and infinite. New sounds can and will always be created. Every sound is unique in itself. Not a single rain drop produce the same exact sound.
There is no limit to frequencies. The only limit is our instrumentation in producing extremely high/low frequencies. Even our human ears have limitations in the perception of frequency. For example, Dogs can detect higher frequencies than we humans. That does not mean that there is no sound above what we humanly can hear. It only means that me have our limitations.
I am mentioning this because I want you to realise (if you have not already) that sound or music can be so "infinite". So vast, so enormous, so intangible and yet so mesmerising. Therefore, to harness this unseen energy of sound, one must be prudent and wise. We need to be stewards of this heavenly gift. We need to prepare ourselves, both physically,mentally and spiritually to be good stewards or to be crude, worthy stewards.
In my training as a musician, I always come across statements made by my teacher like "Ben, I cannot see what you are trying to do. There is no direction in your music"
Initially, I could not understand what my tutor meant. But when I finally did, Lo and behold! A new horizon of understanding and discovery began to unfold! And it is this revelation that I want to impart to you. But, it can not be achieved overnight.
It is no wonder that the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra has "Hear and You will See" as its motto.
How can one see what one hears?
Lets take a peek into the animal kingdom for a moment here. Bats are blind but they are excellent navigators. Dolphins and whales communicate in a complex language made up of various frequencies of sound unique only to their species.
We humans are not very far off. When we speak to a total stranger for the first time via phone (without visual contact), we are somehow forming a picture of that person as we speak. We are able to judge roughly the characteristics, personality, physical build up etc etc of the stranger who is on the other side of the line. In a similar way, criminologist are able to sketch the face of a suspect just by relying on verbal information given by eyewitnesses.
As far as music is concerned, it is very much possible to paint a picture to the listener with musical colours. This is a very intricate process of communication. This is the kind of communication that unites the souls of men and bring them into union with God in expressing what words or other means of communication can not do.
The late Pope John Paul II wrote something to this effect in his encyclical addressing to all artist. He said that beauty of music is like a little window in which through it we can catch but a glimpse of the immense beauty of God. How profound!!!
*catch a glimpse suggest visual activity.
Musical ideas can be well projected in the minds of the listener if it is well coloured.
Not all professional musicians, bands or orchestras are able to communicate effectively at this level. In my experiences, there are only a handful who can.
There were times when I listened to live performances and the performer was able to keep me at the edge of my sit - literally speaking. I could see what he was doing and not only that BUT I could anticipate his next move. This sort of anticipation is what makes the music even more beautiful and captivating. It is like as though the performer casted an invisible net over the audience and communicating with us through this undetectable frequency or wave length.
During this concert, my soul and my senses blended and I was transcended to a realm not always experienced in the mundane everyday living. It was an ecstasy, a sober inebriation.
That is what we ought to aim to achieve when we perform sacred music. The senses must be blended with the soul and NOT letting the senses dominating the soul leaving it dry and (the soul) captive to the senses. There is no freedom in that.
Let me quote from the then Cardinal Ratzinger's book "The Spirit of the Liturgy" on the part when he was commenting about Plato's writings on music ascribed to the mythological greek god Appollo, the god of reason and light.
"This is the music that draws senses into spirit and so brings man to wholeness. It does not abolish the senses, but inserts them into the unity of this creature that is man. It elevates the spirit precisely by wedding it to the senses, and it elevates the senses by uniting them with the spirit. Thus this kind of music is an expression of man's special place in the general structure of being"
Ratzinger then goes on to mention the music Plato ascribe to Marsyas.
"It drags man into the intoxication of the senses, crushes rationality, and subjects the spirit to the senses. The way Plato allots instruments and keys to one of these two kinds of music is now obsolete and may in many respects surprise us. But the Appolonian/Dionysian (Dionysian is another term for Marsyas) alternative runs through the whole history of religion and confronts us again today. Not every kind of music can have a place in Christian worship."
So how then can we achieve this level of intensity in sacred music?
Yes, colour your music. And colour them well with the right balance. The right tone and shading.
We need to phrase our music. Through phrasing we can give direction to the listener. We can place accentuation and dynamics as "landmarks" to guide the listener. The swelling and diminishing of tonal qualities can sway and nudge the listener into the right direction. We need the right softness or loudness and the right touch to persuade. There is a time for climaxes and a time for gentleness. The right stylistic approach is also very crucial. (many more can be said)
You may not grasp fully what I am trying to express in the paragraph above simply because words alone are ineffective in teaching this. This skill can not be attained just by reading a written manual or in just a few practical lessons. This is simply because this is a highly sophisticated and specialized skill. But do not fret for it is achievable.
We can, if taken one step at a time, bit by bit, one day at a time. Let the Holy Spirit guide us.
We must make a conscious effort to increase the level musical awareness and critical ear. This will in turn help us to understand better on how to colour our music and vice versa.
We pray for an increase of love and awareness in serving our Lord. Let us model our attitude and spirit in serving one another and God according to the teachings of the apostle and the life of the Virgin most Holy. Amen.
In Colour Your Music (A), we discussed about colours and we made a comparison between the Optical and the Musical and we find so many similarities between the two spheres of art as far as colour is concerned.
Here instead, I would like to point out some very interesting differences.
We know that there are many different types of colours. The spectrum is so vast. The colour of an object depends on what rays it reflects and absorb. There are 2 poles to the colour chart;
TRUE BLACK -------------------------------and--------------------------------TRUE WHITE
Every other colour falls between these 2 extreme opposites or limits.
However, musical or audio colours have no such limits nor "dead ends" so to speak. The spectrum is endless and infinite. New sounds can and will always be created. Every sound is unique in itself. Not a single rain drop produce the same exact sound.
There is no limit to frequencies. The only limit is our instrumentation in producing extremely high/low frequencies. Even our human ears have limitations in the perception of frequency. For example, Dogs can detect higher frequencies than we humans. That does not mean that there is no sound above what we humanly can hear. It only means that me have our limitations.
I am mentioning this because I want you to realise (if you have not already) that sound or music can be so "infinite". So vast, so enormous, so intangible and yet so mesmerising. Therefore, to harness this unseen energy of sound, one must be prudent and wise. We need to be stewards of this heavenly gift. We need to prepare ourselves, both physically,mentally and spiritually to be good stewards or to be crude, worthy stewards.
In my training as a musician, I always come across statements made by my teacher like "Ben, I cannot see what you are trying to do. There is no direction in your music"
Initially, I could not understand what my tutor meant. But when I finally did, Lo and behold! A new horizon of understanding and discovery began to unfold! And it is this revelation that I want to impart to you. But, it can not be achieved overnight.
It is no wonder that the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra has "Hear and You will See" as its motto.
How can one see what one hears?
Lets take a peek into the animal kingdom for a moment here. Bats are blind but they are excellent navigators. Dolphins and whales communicate in a complex language made up of various frequencies of sound unique only to their species.
We humans are not very far off. When we speak to a total stranger for the first time via phone (without visual contact), we are somehow forming a picture of that person as we speak. We are able to judge roughly the characteristics, personality, physical build up etc etc of the stranger who is on the other side of the line. In a similar way, criminologist are able to sketch the face of a suspect just by relying on verbal information given by eyewitnesses.
As far as music is concerned, it is very much possible to paint a picture to the listener with musical colours. This is a very intricate process of communication. This is the kind of communication that unites the souls of men and bring them into union with God in expressing what words or other means of communication can not do.
The late Pope John Paul II wrote something to this effect in his encyclical addressing to all artist. He said that beauty of music is like a little window in which through it we can catch but a glimpse of the immense beauty of God. How profound!!!
*catch a glimpse suggest visual activity.
Musical ideas can be well projected in the minds of the listener if it is well coloured.
Not all professional musicians, bands or orchestras are able to communicate effectively at this level. In my experiences, there are only a handful who can.
There were times when I listened to live performances and the performer was able to keep me at the edge of my sit - literally speaking. I could see what he was doing and not only that BUT I could anticipate his next move. This sort of anticipation is what makes the music even more beautiful and captivating. It is like as though the performer casted an invisible net over the audience and communicating with us through this undetectable frequency or wave length.
During this concert, my soul and my senses blended and I was transcended to a realm not always experienced in the mundane everyday living. It was an ecstasy, a sober inebriation.
That is what we ought to aim to achieve when we perform sacred music. The senses must be blended with the soul and NOT letting the senses dominating the soul leaving it dry and (the soul) captive to the senses. There is no freedom in that.
Let me quote from the then Cardinal Ratzinger's book "The Spirit of the Liturgy" on the part when he was commenting about Plato's writings on music ascribed to the mythological greek god Appollo, the god of reason and light.
"This is the music that draws senses into spirit and so brings man to wholeness. It does not abolish the senses, but inserts them into the unity of this creature that is man. It elevates the spirit precisely by wedding it to the senses, and it elevates the senses by uniting them with the spirit. Thus this kind of music is an expression of man's special place in the general structure of being"
Ratzinger then goes on to mention the music Plato ascribe to Marsyas.
"It drags man into the intoxication of the senses, crushes rationality, and subjects the spirit to the senses. The way Plato allots instruments and keys to one of these two kinds of music is now obsolete and may in many respects surprise us. But the Appolonian/Dionysian (Dionysian is another term for Marsyas) alternative runs through the whole history of religion and confronts us again today. Not every kind of music can have a place in Christian worship."
So how then can we achieve this level of intensity in sacred music?
Yes, colour your music. And colour them well with the right balance. The right tone and shading.
We need to phrase our music. Through phrasing we can give direction to the listener. We can place accentuation and dynamics as "landmarks" to guide the listener. The swelling and diminishing of tonal qualities can sway and nudge the listener into the right direction. We need the right softness or loudness and the right touch to persuade. There is a time for climaxes and a time for gentleness. The right stylistic approach is also very crucial. (many more can be said)
You may not grasp fully what I am trying to express in the paragraph above simply because words alone are ineffective in teaching this. This skill can not be attained just by reading a written manual or in just a few practical lessons. This is simply because this is a highly sophisticated and specialized skill. But do not fret for it is achievable.
We can, if taken one step at a time, bit by bit, one day at a time. Let the Holy Spirit guide us.
We must make a conscious effort to increase the level musical awareness and critical ear. This will in turn help us to understand better on how to colour our music and vice versa.
We pray for an increase of love and awareness in serving our Lord. Let us model our attitude and spirit in serving one another and God according to the teachings of the apostle and the life of the Virgin most Holy. Amen.
Colour Your Music (A)
Colour Your Music (A)
Imagine a world where everything you see is black and white. Wouldn't it be a little dull? But wait, lets go further and try to make it even worse.
Now, imagine the black and white that you see has no shading. By no shading I mean that we cannot detect the darker tone parts (that are away from light) from the lighter tone parts (that are expose to more light). Suddenly, we lose all sense of dimension. Everything is reduced to 1 tone. There seems to be less liveliness. Nothing seems appealing to the sight anymore. Nothing seems real.
If you cannot imagine the above then try to imagine yourself being locked up in an asylum where the 4 walls, ceiling and floor are all bright white and your clothes are as white as the cell. Even if you were sane, you will no longer stay sane after a while.
Lets look at the other extreme. Imagine that your house is painted (inside and outside) luminous green, bright blue, purple, bright pink, yellow, blood red, brown, dark green, olive green, and then your furniture are of contrasting thematic designs and random colours. Now that will be quite a scene. How gaudy!
Alright. Let us come back to reality. Now take a good look at nature - mother nature. Let us take some time to admire God's art work. Everything is in perfect order and has its purpose and its unique colour. Notice how God blends the colours so well that no honest man can look at it and say "Yucks, Mother Nature is so ugly. The colours just don't match!" Even a blade of grass has many different tones of green. We can justly say that God is an Artist of the highest calibre and has a divinely perfect taste for beauty. He doesn't make mistakes.
Thank God that we inherited His artistic talents since we are made in His Image. Therefore, we as humans do have potential don't we? Except the fact that we do make mistakes from time to time - GOD doesn't.
So far we have discussed Visual Arts (The Optical). What about Audio Arts (The Musical)? By Audio Arts I mean Music. Music have colours too.
We must shade our music with darker and lighter tones in various colours which compliment each other (otherwise it can be pretty gaudy like the imaginary house which I discussed in the 4th paragraph).
We need to be wise in selecting our musical colours, shading and tone.
ie: Phrasing, dynamics, expression, accentuation, decoration and etc.
We also need the right "brush" and right technique to create the desired "brush strokes" in order to bring out certain descriptive effects (brush strokes can equate to touch in music - but we shall discuss touch another time)
But how exactly do we colour our music?
Do we know when, where and how to shade and colour our music so that it becomes 3 dimensional/real (as oppose to the 1 dimension scenario in paragraph 1)and thus put "life" into the music we play? Once there is "life" in the music, then we can successfully use the language of music *(please refer to my first posting) to communicate effectively -- To communicate what the music is trying to say so that it transcends the human soul and heighten the level and intensity of our worship.
As taken from the LITURGICAL CATECHESIS FOR LAITY ON THE GIRM:
1) "Putting our prayer into music not only helps to unite us in the prayer we make, it also gives a unique expression to our prayer that words alone cannot achieve."
2) "In a poetic way, the Instruction notes that the intense union between God and the Church in the celebration of the Eucharist can be described as a union between lovers whose nature is best expressed in song (GIRM 39) As we gather to hear God's word, to eat the Bread of Life and drink from the Cup of Salvation, our prayer (in song) must reflect the joy and depth of this profound mystery of faith. In doing so, we can follow the instruction of St. Paul, who told the Church to 'sing together psalms, hymns and spiritual songs' (Col 3:16) as we wait for the coming in glory of the one whose death we proclaim."
3. "GIRM 39 - one who sings prays twice."
4. "Our singing is our prayer."
So to really reflect the joy and depth of this profound mystery of faith, we ought to have the right kind of music (singing included) OR the right/appropriate way of playing them in order to achieve this effect.
Therefore, to colour your music and shade them well with various tone colour is one of the ways how we can hope to achieve this. With this understanding, we again come back to the disturbing question:
Do we know when, where and how to shade and colour our music? In other words, Do we know when, where and how to phrase our music, use the different dynamics, express, accentuate and decorate our music?
Failing to do so results in
Gaudy music = Loudness, laud, noisy, distortion, inbalances,
crowdedness, unsoothing and etc
Dull music = Mono-tone, lifeless, uncommitted, lacking in direction,
inexpressive and etc
We need to come together in our practice sessions to figure that out in each and every song we play. Those who feel that they need to upgrade their skills and enhance their musical knowledge & develope critical ear are encouraged to do so.
Let us ask God to help us on this. Let us also ask Him to show us the way in how we can learn to colour our music well. Above all, let us do this so that we can heighten the level of worship befitting for a King. What we do in our music do affect the congregation. Help us O Lord to fulfill what we as music ministers are set out to do in the first place according to the GIRM for Your Glory and Yours only. We pray for unity in our cause to provide music for Your Chruch and people. Teach us to love one another despite all our own short comings & imperfections. Help us to provide a prayerful atmosphere for our fellow parishioners. Let us Worship you in one voice, one heart and one song. Amen.
Imagine a world where everything you see is black and white. Wouldn't it be a little dull? But wait, lets go further and try to make it even worse.
Now, imagine the black and white that you see has no shading. By no shading I mean that we cannot detect the darker tone parts (that are away from light) from the lighter tone parts (that are expose to more light). Suddenly, we lose all sense of dimension. Everything is reduced to 1 tone. There seems to be less liveliness. Nothing seems appealing to the sight anymore. Nothing seems real.
If you cannot imagine the above then try to imagine yourself being locked up in an asylum where the 4 walls, ceiling and floor are all bright white and your clothes are as white as the cell. Even if you were sane, you will no longer stay sane after a while.
Lets look at the other extreme. Imagine that your house is painted (inside and outside) luminous green, bright blue, purple, bright pink, yellow, blood red, brown, dark green, olive green, and then your furniture are of contrasting thematic designs and random colours. Now that will be quite a scene. How gaudy!
Alright. Let us come back to reality. Now take a good look at nature - mother nature. Let us take some time to admire God's art work. Everything is in perfect order and has its purpose and its unique colour. Notice how God blends the colours so well that no honest man can look at it and say "Yucks, Mother Nature is so ugly. The colours just don't match!" Even a blade of grass has many different tones of green. We can justly say that God is an Artist of the highest calibre and has a divinely perfect taste for beauty. He doesn't make mistakes.
Thank God that we inherited His artistic talents since we are made in His Image. Therefore, we as humans do have potential don't we? Except the fact that we do make mistakes from time to time - GOD doesn't.
So far we have discussed Visual Arts (The Optical). What about Audio Arts (The Musical)? By Audio Arts I mean Music. Music have colours too.
We must shade our music with darker and lighter tones in various colours which compliment each other (otherwise it can be pretty gaudy like the imaginary house which I discussed in the 4th paragraph).
We need to be wise in selecting our musical colours, shading and tone.
ie: Phrasing, dynamics, expression, accentuation, decoration and etc.
We also need the right "brush" and right technique to create the desired "brush strokes" in order to bring out certain descriptive effects (brush strokes can equate to touch in music - but we shall discuss touch another time)
But how exactly do we colour our music?
Do we know when, where and how to shade and colour our music so that it becomes 3 dimensional/real (as oppose to the 1 dimension scenario in paragraph 1)and thus put "life" into the music we play? Once there is "life" in the music, then we can successfully use the language of music *(please refer to my first posting) to communicate effectively -- To communicate what the music is trying to say so that it transcends the human soul and heighten the level and intensity of our worship.
As taken from the LITURGICAL CATECHESIS FOR LAITY ON THE GIRM:
1) "Putting our prayer into music not only helps to unite us in the prayer we make, it also gives a unique expression to our prayer that words alone cannot achieve."
2) "In a poetic way, the Instruction notes that the intense union between God and the Church in the celebration of the Eucharist can be described as a union between lovers whose nature is best expressed in song (GIRM 39) As we gather to hear God's word, to eat the Bread of Life and drink from the Cup of Salvation, our prayer (in song) must reflect the joy and depth of this profound mystery of faith. In doing so, we can follow the instruction of St. Paul, who told the Church to 'sing together psalms, hymns and spiritual songs' (Col 3:16) as we wait for the coming in glory of the one whose death we proclaim."
3. "GIRM 39 - one who sings prays twice."
4. "Our singing is our prayer."
So to really reflect the joy and depth of this profound mystery of faith, we ought to have the right kind of music (singing included) OR the right/appropriate way of playing them in order to achieve this effect.
Therefore, to colour your music and shade them well with various tone colour is one of the ways how we can hope to achieve this. With this understanding, we again come back to the disturbing question:
Do we know when, where and how to shade and colour our music? In other words, Do we know when, where and how to phrase our music, use the different dynamics, express, accentuate and decorate our music?
Failing to do so results in
Gaudy music = Loudness, laud, noisy, distortion, inbalances,
crowdedness, unsoothing and etc
Dull music = Mono-tone, lifeless, uncommitted, lacking in direction,
inexpressive and etc
We need to come together in our practice sessions to figure that out in each and every song we play. Those who feel that they need to upgrade their skills and enhance their musical knowledge & develope critical ear are encouraged to do so.
Let us ask God to help us on this. Let us also ask Him to show us the way in how we can learn to colour our music well. Above all, let us do this so that we can heighten the level of worship befitting for a King. What we do in our music do affect the congregation. Help us O Lord to fulfill what we as music ministers are set out to do in the first place according to the GIRM for Your Glory and Yours only. We pray for unity in our cause to provide music for Your Chruch and people. Teach us to love one another despite all our own short comings & imperfections. Help us to provide a prayerful atmosphere for our fellow parishioners. Let us Worship you in one voice, one heart and one song. Amen.
Friday, February 20, 2009
MUSIC: A Responsibility, Divine Gift or Language?
MUSIC : A responsibility, Divine Gift, or Language?
Many musicians, both professionals and amateurs alike, have said that to play or perform music is something divine. A divine task; A divine gift; Time and time again, it is said that music is a gift from God. Indeed, it is. We, as music ministers of the Pilgrim Church here on earth, have come to recognise this divine gift within the depths of our souls. By coming forward to serve Him through music, we can see how we begin to tacitly accept and acknowledge this divine gift. Therefore, we have also realised that we need to utilise this divine gift that we have received. We give what we have received.
It is also a common understanding that music is able to transcend the human soul and to speak to the listener's heart and express what words can not. Thus, music is a form of language - a language so divine, so universal and a language that transcends the barriers of race, dialects, nations and even time.
Now, knowing that music is a Divine Gift from God, what would our 'response-ability' be? (responsibility). Yes, we have come forward to serve. That is the first step. But is that all to it?
Like any gift/skill/charism (Yes, Charism because Music is a Gift from the Holy Spirit), it needs practising. Otherwise, you might just loose it or at best, it gets rusty. Practising is one thing but to further develop the gift is another. Sharpening your skills is just as important as practising them. There is always room for improvement and learning. It is not a dead skill.
Yes, we do practise, one might say. We get all the notes right, the tune right, the tempo steady, the rhythm accurate and the diction clear.
But is that all? Is that what music is all about? Is it just about getting the tangibles right? Is it just about fulfilling a chore? Is it just about making sure that it is GIRM compliant? Is it just about making sure we don't make a blunder during mass?
Surely, there is more to it since it is a Divine Gift from God and also a complex language.
Are we able to communicate effectively through this universal language in the universal church? Are we able to communicate what words fail to express? Are we able to heighten the level of worship and praise God through music. We ought to give back what we have received. We also ought to use this gift wisely with great care and prudence so that others may benefit from it. All for the glory of God, and God only.
We need to ask ourselves these questions.
Let us reflect and think deeper.
Chicken and Egg story
Which do you say comes first? Music or musical instruments (to play the music we hear?) Let us examine:
We know that the angels in Heaven sing praises to God. Angels were doing that since before the creation of man. We also know from the Bible that angels use harps and trumpets. We can safely conclude that music is almost as old as the Heavens above.
But still, which comes first? Is it not puzzling?
Now, take a moment and create a tune in your head. A tune which no one has ever heard before - not even yourself. Obviously, since you are now creating it, solely in your head without even humming the tune out loud.
How was it? I am sure it was a nice tune. The tune is now created but nobody knows what you have just composed? Only God knows. Therefore, how is it possible for you to express your beautiful creation? The only way for you to transfer what you have just heard in your head to others is via an instrument. Now try playing the tune you have just composed on an instrument so that others will know what only you yourself earlier could hear. Use your God given instrument - Voice!
This process is an intricate process. It is also a process of sharing. Sharing one's musical ideas to another. How beautiful it is to partake in this process of sharing - a communion of love. A communication which transcends. A transcendental communication so to speak. A communication between the souls.
Now, if one dies and is united with the Church Triumphant in Heaven - does his ability to partake in music activities halt altogether? Surely not, for the esthological man will be singing praises to God in Heaven!
So, really, our musical abilities lies within the depths of our soul. The body, which is also very much part of the human race, is the medium or instrument in which we communicate this musical ideas to one another. Music is a function of the soul and the body. The human race, body and soul "lives" forever (or at least has that potential if he be saved)- so then shall music be forever.
The body remains an integral part of this music making even in heaven. Remember the credo which we profess, "I believe in the resurrection of the body and life ever lasting. Amen"
The tune you have created is created. This tune now exist. What can destroy it? Not even you yourself. Even if you have not shared the tune with anyone and after that forgot the tune altogether, God still remembers it. He knows all things.
CHRIST and Music
Unlike any other art forms, music has somewhat a unique parallel to Christ.
Music is governed by time. There are only so many beats per bar. There are only so many bars per piece of music. A piece of music has a beginning and an end. All in good time. But yet, its effects are timeless. Have you ever had a nostalgic experience whereby you were brought back to a particular moment in time while listening to a particular piece of music or song? Were you touched by any piece of music before? Has it (music) ever stir up emotions within you - made you laugh, cry, smile, and errect goose pimples? See how long lasting the effects of music can be.
Let us look at Christ.
1st Chapter and verse 1 of John's Gospel states : "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."
John 1:14 continues... "The word was made flesh, full of grace and truth, lived among us"
It is so humbling for an Eternal God to be encapsuled by time. 33 years that is. For a moment, God from all eternity subjected Himself to be governed by time and to be born a man, though sinless and perfect in every way. Yet, His saving work is timeless. He not only died for those who were living then but also for those who has gone before Him and yet to come. Those who have gone to their graves before Christ's death on Calvary still may receive the merits of Salvation. He died for all, before and after.
Even after 2000 years, we still experience His death and resurrection like it was yesterday and everyday. Through the Eucharist, the perfect sacrifice on Calvary is repeated again at the alter - the perfect sacrifice of bread and wine.
Also in the memorial acclamation we proclaim His death and resurrection and the second coming of Jesus. Dying you destroyed our death. Rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Without God's grace, there can be no music. So let us take some time daily to thank Him for this Divine and Beautiful gift. We must, as response-able Catholics, make an effort to do justice to this gift that was bestowed and entrusted to us from above.
Let us ask God to grant us humility and wisdom especially when using this gift. We ask for a deeper faith in Him and the courage and strength to do His Holy will. Amen.
Many musicians, both professionals and amateurs alike, have said that to play or perform music is something divine. A divine task; A divine gift; Time and time again, it is said that music is a gift from God. Indeed, it is. We, as music ministers of the Pilgrim Church here on earth, have come to recognise this divine gift within the depths of our souls. By coming forward to serve Him through music, we can see how we begin to tacitly accept and acknowledge this divine gift. Therefore, we have also realised that we need to utilise this divine gift that we have received. We give what we have received.
It is also a common understanding that music is able to transcend the human soul and to speak to the listener's heart and express what words can not. Thus, music is a form of language - a language so divine, so universal and a language that transcends the barriers of race, dialects, nations and even time.
Now, knowing that music is a Divine Gift from God, what would our 'response-ability' be? (responsibility). Yes, we have come forward to serve. That is the first step. But is that all to it?
Like any gift/skill/charism (Yes, Charism because Music is a Gift from the Holy Spirit), it needs practising. Otherwise, you might just loose it or at best, it gets rusty. Practising is one thing but to further develop the gift is another. Sharpening your skills is just as important as practising them. There is always room for improvement and learning. It is not a dead skill.
Yes, we do practise, one might say. We get all the notes right, the tune right, the tempo steady, the rhythm accurate and the diction clear.
But is that all? Is that what music is all about? Is it just about getting the tangibles right? Is it just about fulfilling a chore? Is it just about making sure that it is GIRM compliant? Is it just about making sure we don't make a blunder during mass?
Surely, there is more to it since it is a Divine Gift from God and also a complex language.
Are we able to communicate effectively through this universal language in the universal church? Are we able to communicate what words fail to express? Are we able to heighten the level of worship and praise God through music. We ought to give back what we have received. We also ought to use this gift wisely with great care and prudence so that others may benefit from it. All for the glory of God, and God only.
We need to ask ourselves these questions.
Let us reflect and think deeper.
Chicken and Egg story
Which do you say comes first? Music or musical instruments (to play the music we hear?) Let us examine:
We know that the angels in Heaven sing praises to God. Angels were doing that since before the creation of man. We also know from the Bible that angels use harps and trumpets. We can safely conclude that music is almost as old as the Heavens above.
But still, which comes first? Is it not puzzling?
Now, take a moment and create a tune in your head. A tune which no one has ever heard before - not even yourself. Obviously, since you are now creating it, solely in your head without even humming the tune out loud.
How was it? I am sure it was a nice tune. The tune is now created but nobody knows what you have just composed? Only God knows. Therefore, how is it possible for you to express your beautiful creation? The only way for you to transfer what you have just heard in your head to others is via an instrument. Now try playing the tune you have just composed on an instrument so that others will know what only you yourself earlier could hear. Use your God given instrument - Voice!
This process is an intricate process. It is also a process of sharing. Sharing one's musical ideas to another. How beautiful it is to partake in this process of sharing - a communion of love. A communication which transcends. A transcendental communication so to speak. A communication between the souls.
Now, if one dies and is united with the Church Triumphant in Heaven - does his ability to partake in music activities halt altogether? Surely not, for the esthological man will be singing praises to God in Heaven!
So, really, our musical abilities lies within the depths of our soul. The body, which is also very much part of the human race, is the medium or instrument in which we communicate this musical ideas to one another. Music is a function of the soul and the body. The human race, body and soul "lives" forever (or at least has that potential if he be saved)- so then shall music be forever.
The body remains an integral part of this music making even in heaven. Remember the credo which we profess, "I believe in the resurrection of the body and life ever lasting. Amen"
The tune you have created is created. This tune now exist. What can destroy it? Not even you yourself. Even if you have not shared the tune with anyone and after that forgot the tune altogether, God still remembers it. He knows all things.
CHRIST and Music
Unlike any other art forms, music has somewhat a unique parallel to Christ.
Music is governed by time. There are only so many beats per bar. There are only so many bars per piece of music. A piece of music has a beginning and an end. All in good time. But yet, its effects are timeless. Have you ever had a nostalgic experience whereby you were brought back to a particular moment in time while listening to a particular piece of music or song? Were you touched by any piece of music before? Has it (music) ever stir up emotions within you - made you laugh, cry, smile, and errect goose pimples? See how long lasting the effects of music can be.
Let us look at Christ.
1st Chapter and verse 1 of John's Gospel states : "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."
John 1:14 continues... "The word was made flesh, full of grace and truth, lived among us"
It is so humbling for an Eternal God to be encapsuled by time. 33 years that is. For a moment, God from all eternity subjected Himself to be governed by time and to be born a man, though sinless and perfect in every way. Yet, His saving work is timeless. He not only died for those who were living then but also for those who has gone before Him and yet to come. Those who have gone to their graves before Christ's death on Calvary still may receive the merits of Salvation. He died for all, before and after.
Even after 2000 years, we still experience His death and resurrection like it was yesterday and everyday. Through the Eucharist, the perfect sacrifice on Calvary is repeated again at the alter - the perfect sacrifice of bread and wine.
Also in the memorial acclamation we proclaim His death and resurrection and the second coming of Jesus. Dying you destroyed our death. Rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Without God's grace, there can be no music. So let us take some time daily to thank Him for this Divine and Beautiful gift. We must, as response-able Catholics, make an effort to do justice to this gift that was bestowed and entrusted to us from above.
Let us ask God to grant us humility and wisdom especially when using this gift. We ask for a deeper faith in Him and the courage and strength to do His Holy will. Amen.
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