I have long wished to be a skilled musician like those mentioned in 1 Chronicles 25 employed by King David, not simply a “guitar Mass” chunka-chunka-chunka style guitar player. After returning to the Church, I wanted to play before God, praising and worshipping his holy name, using methods that are pleasing to him.
After prayer and reflection, and surveying the example set by John Michael Talbot, I researched nylon-stringed guitars and selected this beauty:
This is the Cordoba 14 Fusion Maple, so named because of the tonewoods forming the back and sides, and because it has 14 frets, unlike traditional 12-fretted classical guitars. This is a nylon-stringed guitar designed for steel-string players.
This is the second of two guitars I have purchased (I previously bought a Seagull Coastline S6 Slim.) Both are affordable quality instruments, rivaling guitars costing 2-3 times more.
No Plectrum: earlier this year I decided to dismiss with using guitar picks, and use my fingers like a classical player. The skill set I am aiming for is a mix of fingerstyle, classical and jazz without strumming (except some flamenco-inspired strums using the back of my nails.)
My purchases are another form of reconciliation to God: clearing away old sinful lifestyle habits and working with new. To play music edifying to our Lord, not create distractions. To strive to enhance prayer and meditation, not obstruct it. To aid myself staying on the path, I have removed music in my repertoire that fails to mention God lyrically. GIA Publishing works Gather and Worship will form my list of practice material. Also included are some classical pieces, jazz instrumentals and some compositions by John Michael Talbot (can you tell I’m a big fan of his work?) Each piece will strengthen my timing and execution.
My purchases, with diligent music study, will further the goal of playing good prayer, meditative and celebrating in the light of the Lord music..
Will I play them at Mass? I’ll tackle that question in a future blog post.
Paul L Carter 