Ancient Knowledge of the Effect of Instrumental Sounds

Ancient Knowledge of the Effect of Instrumental Sounds 

            We are often made to understand from the writings of current practicing church musicians that it is a “Jonny come lately” notion that instrumental music is capable of arousing passion and sensuality.  However, A.Z Idelsohn stated, “…from our record of the manner of use of the musical instruments we may deduce that at the time of its height, Egyptian  religious music had a certain dignity and holiness, inasmuch at those instruments employed were not held conducive to arousing sensuality.”  Jewish Music in Its historical Development, p.4. He went on to say,”neither did they employ a great number of instruments of percussion, but usually they employed only one drum and one pair of cymbals in the entire religious orchestra.”  Ibid. p.4.  

            Although the Egyptian worship was in no way Christian worship, it does show that at this early date they were careful of the sounds that were used in worship.  They were sensitive to the power of percussion and the sounds that the musical instruments made and their effect on the hearer’s emotional states.  If during ancient times musicians had such knowledge of the effect that instrumental music made on worshipers, it would behoove us to also become aware of the emotional effect that instrumental has on Christian worship.