Instruments In Worship
Instrumental music was an essential feature of Hebrew worship. The early Christian church, however, rejected instrumental music, largely because of the pagan associations of many instruments. Thus, its church music consisted of exclusively unaccompanied singing. Later centuries again saw the use of instruments in worship, especially the organ. In the twentieth century, music for worship has been accompanied by the widest variety of instruments playing in a wide variety of styles. This section will catalogue many of the instruments used in worship today, giving both historical perspectives and practical suggestions regarding their use. In each case, emphasis is given to how given musical instruments can contribute to, instead of interrupting or dominating, the liturgy of various worship traditions. Particular attention is given to how musical instruments can enhance texts that are spoken and sung in worship.…
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Chapters & Articles in Instruments In Worship (18)
The use of instruments in worship has engendered great controversy throughout the history of the church. The follow…
A wide variety of musical instruments can be used effectively in accompanying hymns and anthems. Creativity in the …
The honor accorded the pipe organ in Christian worship represents a curious paradox. On the one hand, the Christian…
The organ is a very complex instrument both to describe and to play. The following article defines many of the term…
The primary purpose of the church organ is to lead and accompany congregational singing. This article argues that t…
Many congregations are discovering the piano as an excellent instrument to lead congregational singing. This articl…
Recent technology has generated a wide variety of electronic keyboards available to the church musician. This artic…
The synthesizer is one of the most versatile yet affordable instruments a church can purchase. It can contribute a …
Writing music for orchestral instruments requires knowing about the unique design and sound of each instrument. Thi…
Brass has enjoyed a long use in worship, beginning in Old Testament times and continuing into the present. This art…
The orchestra has found a significant place in the worship of Pentecostal, charismatic, and praise-and-worship chur…
Music in the praise-and-worship tradition is often accompanied by a small consort or band of instruments. Precedent…
The use of stringed instruments in worship goes back into the Old Testament and has a history of its own in the Chr…
The history of percussion instruments is traceable to the Old Testament. These instruments, used on only a limited …
Bells have long been employed in worship. In contemporary use one can find large bells used for calling to worship,…
Handbell ringing is an English art that has made a phenomenal appearance in American worship in this century. This …
Every style of music embodies certain rhythmic features, many of which can be clarified, enhanced, or emphasized by…
A small minority of churches today are opposed in principle to the use of instruments in worship. The following art…