photosynthesis Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 How important is harmony in the music of the Church? It always seems that whenever and wherever I go to Mass, the music is lacking in harmony. The whole congregation sings in unison. Is there a theological reason why? Is it supposed to symbolize the unity of the Church? Or is it because a lot of parishes have lame choirs and they fail to provide harmony in the Mass? Is it because Catholics lack vocal ability? Sometimes I wish we had more harmony. Sometimes, during the Mass settings I'll sing along in harmony, instead of going with the melody. Maybe it's the inner alto in me, compulsively singing the alto part. Or maybe it's because the mass settings are too high for me and I like singing in my range. It could be because I like things to sound good. Perhaps it's a little bit of everything : One thing that really grosses me out, though, is when people harmonize in Gregorian Chant. It sounds so...wrong. It's one thing if you're singing the Mass of the Angels and the Saints, or a hymn, but it's another thing altogether when it's the [i]Tantum Ergo[/i]. You just shouldn't harmonize during the [i]Tantum Ergo[/i]. Am I crazy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photosynthesis Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 oh.. can someone move this to the debate table... that's originally where I wanted to post this. Oops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that you're musical. Sometimes I'll hear music in Mass that's just awful and I'll comment about to my family and they'll be like I didn't think it sounded bad. Of course, they are not musical at all. I think I'm adopted. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photosynthesis Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 yeah, I am kind of a music snob. I have to work on that... because when I hear someone harmonizing during the Tantum Ergo, I shouldn't let that distract me from the beauty of the Blessed Sacrament. But still.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philothea Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I don't think most people have any idea at all about music or how to sing in harmony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photosynthesis Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 That is so sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rick777 Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 This is a problem I have to deal with to. It's reassuring to know that I'm not the only wierdo with this on my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 the real question is, how does all this harmonizing relate to pipe smoking? I mean, if you're so busy harmonizing all the time, you never have time to smoke a pipe! lol jk, just gettin you back for focusin my pipe thread on music : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photosynthesis Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 heehee...maybe that's why there's no harmony in church... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 you should read "Why Catholics Can't Sing" Thomas Day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photosynthesis Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 I should... I shall add that to my growing lists of books to read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rick777 Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Pipe smoking=uncool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 well, unless you're GK Chesterton, JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis, or Jimmy Akin... then it's super cool for everyone else, it's just wicked awesome... but the heat of the ember in the pipe keeps it from being cool at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 well, unless you're GK Chesterton, JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis, or Jimmy Akin... then it's super cool for everyone else, it's just wicked awesome... but the heat of the ember in the pipe keeps it from being cool at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rick777 Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Again, pipe smoking is as cool as a liberal theologian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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