Does the GIRM say anything about suitable musical instruments @ Mass?

[FutureSoror]

Does the GIRM say anything about suitable musical instruments for Mass? I looked myself and only found what it says about singing. I know that many people think that the organ is the preferable instrument and that the piano and guitar are inferior. Is there anything oficial/binding that supports this?

[Cam42]

[quote name='Sacrosanctum Concilium #120']In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things. [/quote]

[quote name='De Musica Sacra #60']The following principles for the use of musical instruments in the sacred liturgy are to be recalled:

a) Because of the nature, sanctity, and dignity of the sacred liturgy, the playing of any musical instrument should be as perfect as possible. It would be preferable to omit the use of instruments entirely (whether it be the organ only, or any other instrument), than to play them in a manner unbecoming their purpose. As a general rule it is better to do something well, however modest, than to attempt something more elaborate without the proper means.

b) The difference between sacred, and secular music must be taken into consideration. Some musical instruments, such as the classic organ, are naturally appropriate for sacred music; others, such as string instruments which are played with a bow, are easily adapted to liturgical use. But there are some instruments which, by common estimation, are so associated with secular music that they are not at all adaptable for sacred use.[/quote]

[quote name='De Musica Sacra #61']The principal musical instrument for solemn liturgical ceremonies of the Latin Church has been and remains the classic pipe organ.[/quote]

[quote]....still these forms must be subordinated in such a manner to the general characteristics of sacred music that nobody of any nation may receive an impression other than good [here meaning, sacred in nature] on hearing them (Tra le Sollecitudini 2).[/quote]

[quote name='Tra le Sollecitudini #3']Still, since modern music has risen mainly to serve profane uses, greater care must be taken with regard to it, in order that the musical compositions of modern style which are admitted in the Church may contain nothing profane, be free from reminiscences of motifs adopted in the theaters, and be not fashioned even in their external forms after the manner of profane pieces.[/quote]

[quote name='De Musica Sacra #68']Other instruments besides the organ, especially the smaller bowed instruments, may be used during the liturgical functions, particularly on days of greater solemnity. These may be used together with the organ or without it, for instrumental numbers of for accompanying the singing. However, the following rules derived from the principles stated above (no.60) are to strictly observed:

a) the instruments are truly suitable for sacred use;

b) they are to be played with such seriousness, and religious devotion that every suggestion of raucous secular music is avoided, and the devotion of the faithful is fostered;

c) the director, organist, and other instrumentalists should be well trained in instrumental techniques, and the laws of sacred music.[/quote]

Finally from the GIRM:
[quote name='GIRM 393b']While the organ is to be accorded pride of place, other wind, stringed, or percussion instruments may be used in liturgical services in the dioceses of the United States of America, according to longstanding local usage, provided they are truly apt for sacred use or can be rendered apt.[/quote]

Where do you think that the 1970 GIRM got it's understanding about music in the Liturgy? Could it be De Musica Sacra (the Encyclical on Sacred Music)? I think so. Also it could it be from Musica Sacra Diciplina, Musicam Sacram (post-conciliar document), and Tra Le Sollecitudini? I would think so, especially since those are the documents on music in the 20th century. I am not going back to the 7th century or the 12th. I am talking about modern documents here.

If, as Pius X insists, the liturgy is the primary source of the Christian life, everyone must take part in it to achieve salvation. Active participation is not an invention of our day; the Church throughout the ages constantly shared the life of Christ with its members in the Mass and the sacraments, the very actions of Christ Himself working through His Church and His priesthood. For each age the activities deemed by it to be useful in promoting that participation have varied according to the needs and ideas of the period. One cannot say that because the medieval period developed a chant that was largely the possession of monastic choirs, the congregations who listened were not actively participating. Perhaps not according to post-Vatican II standards, but one must carefully avoid the error of judging the past by the present and applying to former times criteria that seem valuable in our own times. Because Palestrina's polyphonic Masses require the singing of trained choirs, can one assume that non-choir members in the renaissance period were deprived of an active participation in the liturgy? No age could permit such a thing to happen and thus be deprived of the primary source of the spiritual life.

The Church is silent about the guitar specifically, but the smaller instruments should be bowed. And there should be avoidance of the suggestion of the secular music. Does the guitar do that? No, it doesn't, it conotates the secular much moreso than the instruments listed above.

Tra Le Sollecitudini says;
[quote]The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like. (TLS 19)[/quote]

[quote]It is strictly forbidden to have bands play in church, and only in special cases with the consent of the Ordinary will it be permissible to admit wind instruments, limited in number, judiciously used, and proportioned to the size of the place-provided the composition and accompaniment be written in grave and suitable style, and conform in all respects to that proper to the organ. (TLS 20)[/quote]

Hope this helps.