In Which I Rant on Music...

Today's challenge is to rant about something. Which is fortunate because I was going to write this rant anyway and now I have a good excuse!

Sunday I was driving home from my cousin's graduation in Kansas. I was listening to the radio and singing along when I realized that this singer took a break about every 5 words. At least once in the middle of the word. (HUGE no-no. The only time interrupting a word is ok, is when it is legen-wait for it-dary.)

I love music. Love it. It is the way I best express myself, come out of my shell, worship God. And, even though I *am* classically trained, classical music is not the only kind I listen to. Opera, jazz, blues, pop, rock, whatever. I struggle with country, but that's my own issue.

I know that not everyone will sing with perfect technique or use really intricate chord progressions. I'm not asking them to. Rock would sound funny if opera technique were used. Pop probably doesn't need many modal songs.

So, please don't think I'm trying to pass judgment on all music that isn't classical or I'm trying to make all music of the same genre or difficulty. Totally not trying to do that.

But here is my question: when did it become ok for music to be mediocre and still celebrated?

When I realized that this professional singer was taking a breath every few words, it kind of shocked me. I sing this song. I'm sorely out of shape, vocally (well, physically too), but I make it through 2-3x's as much of the song than he does on one breath. When did it get so bad?

I have to say, I'm most disappointed in Christian music. And probably pop, but I don't listen a ton of that. But Christians: we're supposed to be honoring God with our gifts. So why do that half-way? Why write songs with the MOST predictable chord progressions? Why sing like your only experience is high school choir?

(Christian music isn't the only example of the sad state of music. Grammar is atrocious [ie. Ke$ha's "and yes of course we does" from "We R Who We R" comes to mind--also, shoot me with that title]. Some performers are that: performers. They aren't musicians. They can put on a show and there is some music going on around them.)

Music seems to have become just about self expression. It doesn't require training. It doesn't even require a lot of talent. If you are extroverted, can put on a good show, have a few things to say that you've set to a tune, and (let's face it) good-looking, you can be a Christian artist! Woo-hoo!

Music school? For chumps! Voice lessons? Wasted money. Theory and music history? Whaaaa....??

Don't get me wrong: I think there are a lot of talented musicians out there. They have the base talent but, in today's culture, have no motivation to push forward to develop their talents. Talents need to be honed, developed, nurtured.

This only will hurt the church and Christian music as time goes on. Look through recent Christian praise songs that have made their way into the church. How many do you think will last? How many will stand the test of time like "Great is Thy Faithfulness"? How many will become classics performed for ages to come like Handel's "Messiah" or a Bach Cantata? We use them for a time and then toss them aside when something better comes along.

(To be clear, there ARE some songs I think will last and some songs that have so much thought in the lyrics and beauty in the melody. But these seems to be the exception, not the rule.)

We can do better. As church musicians, we SHOULD do better! These are not just songs to get us an emotional high for a season. These are praises to the everlasting King of kings.

The point of my rant is this: music, when at it's best, should be diverse and should push boundaries of what was previously accepted. BUT. There should be integrity to it. To push the boundaries of what has been, you have to know what was there.You have to know where you've come from to make it to where you're trying to go. Most singers today have NO IDEA. Ignorance is not bliss.

I think the most perfect example of how we have elevated mediocre music and musicians to celebrity/celebrated status is in this article.  It tells of how Harry Connick, Jr, railed on the singers he was coaching on the American Idol when they were singing from the Great American Songbook because they had absolutely no idea about the lyrics they were singing or what the original tune was. They were using the music to show off their vocal prowess or to see how many extra notes they could add.

There are singers in all genres today that are trying to push music forward and develop it. But as long as society deems that power, pizazz or strong emotional content, and a good show are all that is needed for a successful career, those voices will be drowned out and we, the public, will be the losers as a result.

-Lisa