Instrumental Music in Christian Music Education-part 1

 

Instrumental Music in Christian Music Education-part 1

          As was just mentioned, there is an age old argument among Christian musicians about the use of instruments in public worship.  Before I continue with this discussion about instrumental music education, I want to say that I have absolutely no objection to singing without the use of musical instruments.  Those who have chosen to worship God without using musical instruments have done so in the fear of God.  Although I have not made the same conclusions as they have, I respect their view and understand that they have not decided to exclude the use of musical instruments to in any way be contentious. So, I have no quarrel with those who do not use instruments as a part of public worship providing the do so on the basis of religious, music, or worship preference rather than biblical mandate.

             A cappella singing by a congregation is often a very worshipful experience.  On the contrary, all of us have experienced public worship in which a set of drums have almost completely covered up the singing of words to God by a congregation.  We have also had to suffer through songs like “Silent Night” being introduced by a mighty drum roll or a trumpet fanfare or a great hymn like Wesley’s “Arise My Soul Arise” accompanied by a monotonous rhythmic drum figure played over and over which is completely inappropriate to hymn style.