Re: Electric Guitar
            QUESTION from Charles on January 17, 2004

Mr. Slavek. I thought I would share a few thoughts in regard to Thomas (Electric Guitar) on 1-11-04 being that I am familiar with both sides of the issue. I remember many years back when we started having the "folk masses". I loathed them because I felt that the sacredness of the mass had been taken away from us. You are correct that the mindset of the people listening is very important. All I could think of when I would hear the guitars and tambourines playing was Peter, Paul and Mary, or the Everly Brothers. Things started changing and pretty soon I would hear electric guitars with distorted and jazzy sounds. I was young then and soon after listening to that style for so long I became accustomed to it because the organ was never played. I knew how to play the piano and then I picked up the guitar. I started to attend charismatic prayer groups and soon joined the very small music group at one of the meeting. Soon afterwards without my wanting it, I was made head of the group because I was the only musician left. I felt the Lord working and soon the group grew to over twenty. We had guitars, flutes, piano, drums, bass guitar and about 10 singers. All seemed to be going great. We were asked to play at different religious gatherings and even at mass. I really enjoyed leading the music at the prayer meetings and even though I liked playing at mass, thinking back there was some uneasiness about playing during mass. We were complimented highly by our Bishop once, but it seems like pride started to settle in and slowly things started going south. I left the group, however I still played the guitar at several parishes and even lead some youth groups in singing. The last church I played in had an old and large organ that was seldom used. I decided to learn it and was allowed to play only at certain times. It brought back some memories but was not able to continue playing it. Looking back it seems like the people were attracted to our cool music rather than to our Lord. I lost my voice and stopped playing the guitar and somehow Our Lord brought me to a church where only organ music and old traditional liturgical songs were played. Once I heard that sound again, I knew I had come back home. I know am a firm believer that the organ is the musical instrument that really brings out the sacredness of the mass that seems to be lost with secular instruments (remember I once played secular instruments during mass). Is it any wonder that so much liberalism has crept into the Church? I personally feel the current secular music that is used has had a lot to do with it. You should see how many youth and children attend and not one of them desires guitar music. As a matter of fact they don't like it. I have a teen son who is very uncomfortable with secular instruments at some other churches that we have attended. I disagree with Thomas that the style of music and instrument does not matter. It matters a lot because the mass is very different than just a prayer meeting. It is the ultimate prayer and reverence must be given to the Lord in the highest manner. I fail to see how a screaming guitar (if that is the style that some wish to use) or a loud gong (if that is the instrument that some wish to use) can be reverent in any manner. I'm sure drums and gongs are used in some places in Africa, but that is their heritage and traditions. Yes, music is a gift given to us by God, but as with everything, there is a time and place for its use. I see nothing wrong with handclapping, "dancing in the spirit", shouting hallelujahs at a prayer meeting, but the Holy mass is not the place for that. I think that the movie "Sister Act", which I think was a despicable movie, has many church music groups trying to emulate the lively, jazzy sound. People came to church to listen to the sisters "perform" rather than to praise the Lord and that movie gave the wrong message. Thomas said that "The real question is.. what the musician prefer". That is totally wrong. The really real The duty of the musician is to be obedient to the Church and Jesus said to listen to His Church.