Comments on: Should We Can Canned Music in the Church? http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/12/canned-music/ Resources for Leading Worship from Bob Kauflin Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:40:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: David McKay http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/12/canned-music/#comment-75 David McKay Mon, 26 Dec 2005 00:05:13 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=45#comment-75 A. My friend is a drummer and guitarist in a church where no one else plays. They usually sing to cds. On the occasion when he accompanies singing on his guitar, people complain that the music sounds limp and "not like the cd," as you pointed out. B. In our previous church, singers always wanted to sing with backing tracks and not live musicians, though we had some competent musicians in the church, if I may say so! There were 2 problems that often occurred with using the backing tracks: 1. If the balance between the recording and singer were not set correctly, the tape would either drown out the singer or give the effect that the singer was singing along with the radio on. 2. The extremely professional recordings sometimes gave the effect of "million dollar arrangement with 50 cent voice!" Keep music live, I say! A. My friend is a drummer and guitarist in a church where no one else plays. They usually sing to cds.

On the occasion when he accompanies singing on his guitar, people complain that the music sounds limp and “not like the cd,” as you pointed out.

B. In our previous church, singers always wanted to sing with backing tracks and not live musicians, though we had some competent musicians in the church, if I may say so!

There were 2 problems that often occurred with using the backing tracks:
1. If the balance between the recording and singer were not set correctly, the tape would either drown out the singer or give the effect that the singer was singing along with the radio on.

2. The extremely professional recordings sometimes gave the effect of “million dollar arrangement with 50 cent voice!”

Keep music live, I say!

]]> By: Steve S http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/12/canned-music/#comment-74 Steve S Wed, 21 Dec 2005 13:41:44 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=45#comment-74 Great topic, Bob! I have seen both well-balanced usage of pre-recorded music as well as the excessive abuse of it, and I think you are nailing this right on the head. Ironically, I struggle with this issue from the vantage point of someone who is sometimes approached about creating tracks for use in congregational worship. For some reason, to me, it seems much more appropriate for a "special" song (i.e., soloist, duet, etc.) rather than congregational singing. Perhaps you'll flesh out your thoughts on that?? steve :) Great topic, Bob! I have seen both well-balanced usage of pre-recorded music as well as the excessive abuse of it, and I think you are nailing this right on the head.

Ironically, I struggle with this issue from the vantage point of someone who is sometimes approached about creating tracks for use in congregational worship. For some reason, to me, it seems much more appropriate for a “special” song (i.e., soloist, duet, etc.) rather than congregational singing. Perhaps you’ll flesh out your thoughts on that??

steve :)

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