Does your church ever use "non-live" musical accompaniment for congregational singing?
Poll Results
Does your church ever use “non-live” musical accompaniment for congregational singing?
Yes, regularly, and we prefer it. Votes: 0
Yes, regularly, but we would prefer live music. Votes: 1
Yes, on occasion or rarely, but not typically Votes: 3
No, but we are open to the idea if the need arises Votes: 4
No, we would sing a capella before we would use digital or recorded music Votes: 8
Other Votes: 0
In camp this week, our teens sang along with a synchronized music/power point presetation featuring landscapes, etc.. It was real nice.
I prefer live music for sure (any instrument combo), but as I was planning a service not long ago, I thought I might not be able to dig up a keyboard player. Things worked out, and I didn’t have to resort to recorded music. For a long time, out tiny 8:30 service was without accompaniment, so we sang along with hymn CDs. Since then, our organist came out of retirement and we have live music. Still, I was wondering about things like digital hymnals, etc.„ in case the problem becomes worse.
Your opinions and experiences are welcomed!
"The Midrash Detective"
What is the end goal? A robust production quality or fellow Christians singing truth to each other? If the latter, then what message do you send if you have to pipe in recorded music?
…and the same sorry song!
The music at our church is pitiful. The young man who led our worship has gone overseas for a few years and the pianist is leading from the piano. She does not have a strong voice and is hard to follow.
Twice (yesterday was the 2nd) we have sung Long Black Train along with a recording. Since I didn’t sing along with the rest, the lady in front of me asked me after the service why I didn’t.
I had to explain that there are some songs that are not designed to be sung corporately and then there are songs that are not in any way related to the text of Scripture. This song fails on both those accounts.
Now you know how I really feel!
CanJAmerican - my blog
CanJAmerican - my twitter
whitejumaycan - my youtube
Well, John, I agree that some songs are not good for singing along, whether with a sound track or instruments. Even songs like “O Holy Night” or “We Shall Behold Him” are really solos and not suited for congregational singing, IMO.
I have found recorded hymns did well at our small 8:30 service (but not as good as live music).
"The Midrash Detective"
[Ed Vasicek]I have found recorded hymns did well at our small 8:30 service (but not as good as live music).
Agreed!
CanJAmerican - my blog
CanJAmerican - my twitter
whitejumaycan - my youtube
We went from having three piano players jockeying to play each week to no one. We borrowed a digital hymnal to use in their absence and it was bad. The music and the song leader were never completely together. The music differed slightly from our hymnal (or atleast the way we sing it down south) So we tried CDs and this was just a hassle to find the right type of music and to arrange it so we didn’t have to change disc between each song.
Solution: We just sing a cappella. The song leader is more confident and not wondering when to start and stop according to the machine. So he sings louder and more forceful. You can really hear the congregation singing, instead of just listening or mumbling along. It is simple and it is wonderful. But when our piano player returns, we will welcome her back with open arms.
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