classical guitar
Hello,
I know many people object to the use of folk-style acoustic guitar (often strumming) at mass. However, what about guitar played in a classical style? I've heard this in a couple of contexts - at a Spanish-language Mass, where classical guitar was used to accompany some Spanish hymns, and I've also used it heard to play melodically, along with piano, cello, and bass.
The nylon-stringed classical guitar tends to have a smoother, richer tone than the steel-stringed instruments that are more common in popular and folk music, although to be audible in a church they generally need to be amplified.
Thanks!
QUESTION from Robert on April 30, 2004
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob L. Slavek on May 6, 2004
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Dear Robert, I think that it's difficult to answer this question without knowing the mindset of the people who are playing and listening to the music. First of all, I could be mistaken but I am not aware of any sacred music written for classical guitar. If there indeed is not, then there is no tradition of using classical guitar. (at least in the United States) I don't think that most congregations in the United States would be able to tell the difference between a classical guitar and any other, and so in their minds it could easily become a "profane" instrument and therefore not suitable for Mass. All this could be debated I suppose. I think that once rock music become popular, the use of the guitar pretty much needed to end since it did not have a long-standing tradition. Mr. Slavek |