the symbolic nature of this form of spirituality

•how music and spirituality influence each other 

          •although the music is written by talented people but these emotions may have nothing to do 

          •some believe that this spirituality does influence music, showing a persons spiritual search 

          •all music may be spiritual, but not religious 

          •they can express elements of spirituality through their words and music 

          •harder to find spiritual and religious music in popular music as it’s money earning 

          •religion can inspire the composer as this extra religious dimension can help people communicate with God       

          •events and experiences can inspire artists and love and devotion that may be seen as spiritual, as well as the great outdoors etc.                     

          •praising God is a spiritual activity encouraged by the singing of hymns and communication 

        

•symbolism of religious music 

          •composing elaborate music shows how only the best is good enough for God 

          •the type and quality of music sows respect to their origins in holy books 

          •volume and tempo reflects the different types of worship e.g reflective, rousing etc. 

          •the fact that people praise God shows their respect for Him, acknowledging his greatness

          •their longevity shows how the tradition has lasted so long 

          •the note and tone of an instrument symbolises the presence of holiness 

          •sound seems to rise upwards, symbolising prayers and worship rising to God 

          

what does religious music tell us – about God, about belief, about the composer / lyricist

•about God 

          •music shows how great God is as it is designed to praise him

          •the world and lyrics speaks of his qualities - he is a powerful creator and forgives sins

          •offers believers a place in Heaven to express their love for God 

          •the beauty of the music tries to echo God’s qualities adding to the spiritual quality 

          •adds to the effervescence of God as it’s performed in elaborate churches 

          •themes are often based on the Bible, showing God’s power 

          •spiritual simplicity adds to the strength and meditation about God 

          •it is tranquil, echoing the compassionate side of God 

•about belief 

          •religious music and words can teach about other beliefs, with hymns encouraging love

          •show the importance of loving your neighbour and forgiveness 

          •the music and words show that believers want to please and thank God for what his actions

          •using music to assist prayers and praise, reminding believers of their responsibilities

•about the composers / lyricist 

          •the psalms and hymns were written years before the accompanying music 

          •composers write the tunes in order to enhance the meaning of the words and help believers remember the words and join in the worship

          •shows how the composers are devoted in creating something so public about God 

          •they believed in the importance of what they were writing, especially of the hymns and poetry 

          •they felt their writing was inspired by God 

          •a way of expressing their beliefs that was respectful to God 

what impact does religious music have on those looking on – believers and non-believers

•makes people feel closer to God

•creates an atmosphere for worship and allows them to show their dedication 

•sets the mood for their personal reflection and contemplation 

•we can learn more about God from the music 

•the feeling can go beyond a cultural impact, and bring the listeners closer together 

•generates a relationship with God as we feel we can understand him more spiritually 

•their is a strong connection with the spiritual dimension as people’s spirits are lifted 

•mood music 

          •creates a feel of relaxation to assist through meditation and contemplation 

          •new age music is a spiritual movement 

          •it is more of an individual spiritual approach 

          •Christian Gregorian Chant is similar and popular with monks 

          •its soothing quality has an impact on people’s spirituality rather than devotion 

•sacred choral music 

          •it has a spiritual effect on the audience 

          •they are often performed in church concerts 

          •choirs often sing as a form of worship to express their faith as an act of devotion

          •the services may inspire others to join the religion as they feel something numinous  

how and why religions use music (public and / or private)

•music can be used to assist in prayers and contemplation 

•praises God through singing hymns and in ritual chanting and hymns in ritual services 

•hymns unite the whole congregation in restating their beliefs 

•may be used to promote their religion to others 

•may be used in practice for worship e.g Evensong 

•some hymns include words of scripture in churches and the text may be modernised for relevancy

•this music is used in public in churches, bringing people together etc. and then some  •in private, it allows private contemplation and self-reflection, bringing piece and transcending them

different types and examples of each of the following: hymns, mainstream types of music, chanting, scripture put to music

•Hymn - The Spacious Firmament on High 

          •hymns are prayers set to music 

          •remembering words, illustrating emotions 

          •doing the prayer together 

          •congregated singing 

          •analysis 

                    •praises God “original proclaim” - God is the Creator 

                    •he says look at the world in order to see the existence of God 

                    •“Creator’s powers” - not relevant in all religions, the story of Genesis 

                    •“the work of an almighty hand” highlights the creation of the world (Genesis), the personification of the hand of God the Creator 

•Scripture to Music - The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God 

          •numinous - look around as God is everywhere

          •“The Heavens are…his handiwork” is the one repeated line throughout 

          •triumphant music to agree with the emotional content

          •designed to be listened to 

          •communicating religious texts through song 

          •it is spiritual, relating to the Old Testament 

•Chanting - The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God

          •piece of Anglican Chant for Evensong 

          •drone chant with melodic ornamentation 

          •focus on words not the melody 

          •creates a sense of numinous and self-reflection 

          •a sense of togetherness brings people closer 

•Mainstream Music - Lady Gaga’s Judas 

          •plenty of religious imagery 

          •crown on thorn symbolises Jesus on the Cross

          •she is speaking as Mary Magdalene - how she’s in love with her betrayer even with Jesus

          •she is shown with Jesus’s 12 apostles 

          •gun produces lipstick on Judas shows how she cannot destroy her love, sealing her fate in 

          •Judas kisses Jesus for the last time as his final act of betrayal 

          •wear’s the Egyptian symbol the Eye of Horus to protect Christ from Judas’ backstabbing

          •cross jewellery and jewelled mace are fashioned on the Instruments of Passion, which kill Jesus as Christianity transforms these devices to show Christ’s glory 

          •drowning refers to baptism and a symbolic burial with Christ - water is a symbol of

           purification, but also disease and death e.g Noah’s Ark  

          •“I’ll wash his feet with my hair” Mary washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and dries them with her hair, but Mary of Bethany is looked down as she uses perfume - a waste of money 

          •“even after three times he betrays me” - Judas betrayed Jesus and Peter denied 3 times

how is it produced – inspiration, revelation or devotion

•inspiration 

         •they may be thankful by the talent that God has given them and so wish to show it 

         •may be inspired by religious teachings 

         •inspired by events or nature 

         •experienced a sense of numinous and wish to convey it 

         •have seen something so glorious they feel obligated to express it 

•revelation 

         •God uses composers to reveal his truths 

         •there are hidden messages coded into music 

         •feel as though God has spoken to them 

         •has realised the greater powers of God and needs to inform others 

         •the truths are then passed onto listeners and want to reach a wider audience 

•devotion 

         •express deep spiritual feelings 

         •composer wants to dedicate something to God 

         •help others to show and express their own devotion 

         •can be used to inspire worship and create a special place to help worship 

         •may show others how concerned they are with their religion 

what is religious music

•music which is inspired by a religious faith 

•it may be spiritual and express the deepest feelings of an religious faith and how it affects life

•used in worship and is an expression of desire in prayers and contemplation