There Is No Substitute for Knowing How To Music part 1

 

There Is No Substitute for Knowing How To Music part 1

It is wonderful when the Sunday morning vocalist sings on pitch with correct tone.  It is also wonderful when the vocalist utilizes good diction making it possible to understand all the words.  There is no spiritual virtue in singing with a tight throat. The same may be said for instrumentalists.  Musical skill and aesthetic musical performance are not at loggerheads with Christian humility.  Playing a little off pitch when performing a familiar hymn or praise song is not an indication that the musician values the spiritual meaning of the song more than aesthetic musical performance.  It probably simply means that he or she did not spend enough time in the practice room before presenting the musical offering.

So, I have no argument against an emphasis on the importance of the use musical skill and aesthetic performance techniques as they relate to  “how” worshipers should music  unto a high and holy God. Neither do I place undo emphasis on high quality musical performance although many evangelical churches need to consider a renewal of the use of the fine musical arts in the context of the worship experience. Dumbing down the quality of music utilized in the context of corporate worship only impoverishes the quality of evangelical worship.