Metacommunication and Sacred Musicing

Metacommunication and Sacred Musicing

In the early 1970s, Gregory Bateson coined the term metacommunication to describe the underlying messages in what we say and do. Metacommunication contains  nonverbal actions like one’s tone of voice, gestures, body language, and facial expressions  that communicate understandable meaning that either enhances or hinders what we say in words.  Metacommunication can also be applied to a musician’s actions that accompany musical actions. 

One of the most important concomitants of sacred musicing is believability.  What we actually sing and play is of utmost importance, but so are the verbal and non-verbal actions that surround our sacred musicing.  The Christian musician’s tone of voice, gestures, body language, and facial expressions communicate understandable meaning that either enhances or hinders what we sing and play.  Those who hear our sacred musicing also observe how we music.  People believe or disbelieve not only what they hear but also what they see.  When it comes to sacred music and musicing, actions often speak louder than words.

Thought for the Day

When it comes to our sacred musicing, we never get a second chance to give a first impression on those who observe our musical actions.