Introduction
Music begins with sounds. Sounds begins
with the vibration of an object and these vibrations are transmitted to our
ears by a medium which is usually air; as a result, our eardrums vibrate too,
and impulses (signals) are transmitted to the brain (where the impulses are
selected, organized and interpreted). Put differently, we cannot talk about
music without making meaning of sounds and sounds on its own involves vibrations
sorted and interpreted by the brain. By this interpretation, we mean that the
brain chooses that which is pleasant away from that which is not, in other
words sounds may be pleasant or unpleasant (this is however subjected to the
law of relativity since what is pleasant to A might not be to B).
Music is part of this world of sound; for
it is art based on the organization of sounds in time. (Music differs from sound via the properties of musical sound; pitch
[highness or lowness of sound], dynamics [degree of loudness or lowness], tone
colour [distinction and variety in sound] & duration [length of time music
lasts]).
Characteristics
of Music
Music as an interdisciplinary field – That
there is a confluence between music and other fields such as English Language,
Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Fine Art, Foreign Languages, etc. is not a
façade. Indeed, music is a cross-boundary discipline. We have constantly come
across terms such as period, stop, addition, ethno, acoustics, shapes, colour,
Italian cum German words and a host of other terms that shows Music as
inter-relating.
Music
as an oral phenomenon – we listen and respond to music via
sound; meanwhile silence is also part of music in form of rests, long rests,
dramatic pauses etc. Also, music can be used to speak, talk and gibber.
Music
as an art – as other works of art, music can also be remembered
for hundreds of years. That is, music transcends time, generation and history
or culture. As case in point is the popularly revered Hallelujah Chorus. Music thus, encourages repeated listening,
performance and study. Different works of art can be conveyed through music. A
tour to Opera or Symphony will clear the air on this.
Music
as a universal phenomenon - Music exists in all nations and
among all kinds of people and even culture. As a matter of detail, Music knows
no religious boundary, after all, it is engaged in by all religious
practitioners.
Music
as a means of expression – Music is an expressive language
used to communicate feelings and images and can generate aesthetic responses. It
can be used to convey and express joy, sorrow, pain, love, merriment, spiritual
exhortation, etc. i.e. Joy – CCCYHN 882,
Sober reflection – CCCYHN 580,
Love – CCCYHN 773, Communion - CCCYHN 771, Spiritual exhortation – CCCYHN 233,
and the list becomes interminable considering how spiritually packed the CCC
Hymn Book is. [See CCC Yoruba/English Hymn Book for more].
Music
as a psychological phenomenon – Music moves the heart,
mind, body and thought in variety of ways. It stimulates responses ranging from
boredom to love, hatred, detachment, depression, anxiety etc. Music also
affects feelings and attitudes, can be used to help therapeutically and
neurologically to improve self-esteem and improve social interaction [Read more
on Music Therapy if interested].
Music can also serve as an instrument of
romance, sentiment and a memory juggler.
Church
Music
Simply put, this is music for the church.
Before highlighting the uses of this alternate type of Music, it is expedient
to note that not all kinds of Music can be rendered in the Church, if for
nothing, but for the presence of the Lord.
Uses
of church music
To allow everyone participate actively in
worship – The purpose should be to proclaim the message of salvation and
exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ. It also goes further to prepare us for
worship and ushers us to the Lord’s presence with a prepared heart– Ps 100:2, CCC YHN 72
To enhance the quality of worship service
and provide opportunities for service to God by those attending the church – Ps. 98:5-, CCC YHN 53
Edification of the body of Christ – Ephe 5:18-19, I Cor 14:7, CCC YHN 331
Effective evangelistic ministry – Music
has enticed many to enter the church; especially ours-CCC. It is useful in convicting
a sinner of his need for salvation and lead him to confess his sins and
surrender to God – CCC YHN 15.
Helps Christians express the joy they have
in following Jesus. Also serves as prayers to God for help in times of trouble,
temptation or depression. Also teaches doctrine and confirms the scriptures.
The words of our songs influence what we believe about God - CCC YHN 58.
Preparation for the heavenly assignment – Rev. 15:2-4, Ps. 30:12. We ‘Choir’ are
performing a priestly function – 1 Chr
15:16-27, CCC YHN 713.
Benefits
of Music
Music is highly beneficial to us as
Christians, students, living hominids etc. considering its Health, Academic, Emotional,
Psychological, Mental, and Spiritual recompenses.
Academic/Health
Benefits of Music
Music reduces anxiety, pain, heart rate
& blood pressure. Accelerate healing, boosts learning (rote learning),
improves neurological disorders, increase social interaction, helps to overcome
disability, and impacts brain wave moods whilst strengthening reaction.
Spiritual
Benefits of Music
Great
way to communicate with God. God loves to hear us
sing [Using an electronic Concordance,
the Bible mentions the word ‘sing’ 2950 times, ‘song’ 3370 times and hymn 890 times.]. Singing is important to the
Lord as it is an avenue to talk to and hear from him. Music is consequently
“‘a’ [1] process with 2-way interaction enabled elements”. It also comes handy
as a form of prayer Ps. 42:8, CCC YHN
408.
Helps
us to focus. Brings us to the realm of God even if we
weren’t when we left home. Elevates our mood and keeps us fixed. Helps us
discard anxieties of life. Col. 3:16, CCC
YHN 544.
Music
as a weapon or armory for battle - Joshua, 6:15-20, CCC YHN 452.
Invites
the spirit of God - 2Kings
3:14-17, CCC YHN 238.
Aside from the above, Music is also found
to be useful for deliverance, healing and addressing emotional as well as
psychological problems – 1Sam. 16:14-23,
CCC YHN 303; 2.
Inference
and Conclusion
Hymns are said to have been the mainstay
of Church Music since the Lord’s Supper. Today, so called Western and Popular Music
[Juju, Fuji, Saje, Miliki, and such], eliminates and minimizes the power of Hymnody.
We have eroded the power inherent in harmoniously rendering the Celestial
Hymns; Church Music has been watered down, relegated to the background, and
even in some cases Jazz-ified,
Western-ized, and more painfully,
jammed with beat(s) thus contradicting the main purpose of hymns- for sober
reflection. Indeed we do not see the Hymn Book as complementary to the Bible,
but like every other songbook, therefore
further thinning and blurring the wide line between ‘Hymn’ and ‘Song’.
This is a charge to Celestial Church
Shepherds, Elders, Choir members, Directors, Choir Masters/Mistresses, and
Members [as the case may be] to remember the sole responsibility of the Choir as contained in Jer. 31:12-15 and
Eph. 4:19. CCC YHN 352 captures it aptly when it addresses us directly
reminding us of our only assignment – Singing the ‘Songs of the Lord’. This hymn was very explicit about the kind of
songs to sing, it says ‘Songs of the Lord’.
CCC EHN 744; 4&6 [though reserved in some Hymn Books] says ‘ O ye my
Choristers, behold the joy with great glory that is given you today; Behold the
Choristers that sing ‘Holy’ to the King of life, prove worthy to be with them
[…paraphrased]. I therefore beseech
all Choristers to adequately contribute to the edification of the body of
Christ through the ‘Songs of the Lord’
– Church Music! –CCC YHN 606 &
607.
You might ask, what constitutes Church
Music, how do I know I am not rendering same and how do I begin to? Simple!
Consider all that has been highlighted above and review your music or
ministration in line with this expectations. Reminisce on the point that to
cease singing hymns [the right way] and other edifying songs in the church is
to quench the Spirit. Good Church Music proceeds from the mind, from the spirit
and has spiritual effects - 1Cor. 14:15.
-
Music comes from the spirit even as does
prayers. 1 Cor. 14:26.
-
Music conveys logic, morals, mind of God,
will of God, prayers, and prophecy.
-
Music is more than organized sounds; it is
a channel for spiritual exercises.
-
Music is life!
-
Where
words fail, Music speaks.
Bro.
AKINYETUN, Tope Shola
akinyetuntope@gmail.com
topeakinyetun.blogspot.com.ng
