Longing for Good Music

One of my real passions is listening to good music. I know you would never have believed that about a worship pastor But music is such a subjective thing that what I consider good music could be thought of as trash by others. I can fully appreciate that because of my work in churches. You may not believe this, but at every church I have been to there are people who do not like all of the music that is done on Sunday mornings.

But I wanted to share what I look for (or listen for) in music.

The Basics:
  • Interesting melody (it must be more than just a few notes repeated over and over)
  • Good harmonic pattern (ignoring proper harmonic sequences can be unique, but some bands obviously have no training in music when it comes to this; try preparing the ears for a key change instead of jumping from key to key with no warning)
  • Variety in keys (try to write in a key other than E because each key has a specific emotional and aural sound)
  • Rhythmic interest (some bands use the same basic rhythm patterns 75% of the time and that is frankly just boring...be creative, not robotic)
  • Pleasant vocals (screaming is not singing; nasal or guttural sounds are not easy on the ears; constant swooping, scooping, gliding, sliding or overuse of suspensions in vocals is annoying; and singers need to remember that there is such a thing as nuance in dynamics)
Mixing:
  • Vocals need to be understood (I enjoy instrumental music as much as anyone, but why are so many CDs cut with barely audible vocals?)
  • Independent instruments (I have noticed that much of the new praise and worship music is mostly noise throughout the chorus sections--instruments each have unique sounds that need to be featured in appropriate times and ways, don't just kick on the distortion and create blocky chords with no real melodic flow outside of vocals)
  • Groups vocals should sound like a group, soloists should be backed up (many groups sound as though they have a soloist singing with distant background vocals which is typical for soloists and a worship leader style of singing, but not for a vocal group sound)
  • Bring out descants, ad lib, and riffs (we would like to hear that guitar solo, high soprano/tenor, and other unique sounds that create variety in the song)
And don't forget that good art requires sacrifice. Don't just pump out song after song that you know your audience will like. God loves variety, uniqueness, and extreme creativity. Remember that you were created to be creative. Stop following the pack and be the leader. Maybe next time I will share some of my favorite singers/groups.

Comments

LaVerne said…
"Screaming is not singing" Is that a reference to Screamo?
3:43 PM
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