Jonathan Howe told me I was opening a can of worms by conducting this Twitter poll.
He was right.
Still, I wanted to hear from churchgoers what their favorite and least favorite instruments are. Some of the responses were anticipated. Many were not.
Favorite
- Piano — Piano is not only a favorite; it is one of the few instruments that did not also get mentioned as a least favorite.
- Acoustic Guitar — This instrument was a clear second preference.
- Organ — This instrument was also the number one least favorite. There seemed to be a clear generational divide here.
- Violin — The violin and the organ were only one vote apart.
- Cello — This choice surprised me. Maybe it should not have surprised me.
Least Favorite
- Organ — Wow. There were very strong negative sentiments here. One person wrote, “I will ask God for permission to haunt my wife if she allows an organ at my funeral.”
- Tambourine — I was surprised at the negative sentiment here. Apparently, many churchgoers believe this instrument to be the choice of those not musically inclined.
- Drums — Again, there was mostly negative sentiment here, but the reasons for the negativity varied.
- Handbells — Handbells did not get one positive vote.
- Banjo — I can’t remember the last time I heard a banjo in a worship service. Maybe there’s a reason for that.
I was also fascinated to see the “one-vote wonders,” those instruments noted by only one person.
- One vote wonders, favorite: Hammer dulcimer; mandolin; and ukulele.
- One vote wonders, least favorite: Oboe; jazz flute; whistle; kazoo; harmonica; recorder; tuba; shofar; cowbell; accordion; chimes; and saxophone.
I bet this discussion will be fun. Let me hear from you.
Posted on January 11, 2016
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
More from Thom
124 Comments
As to the organ being on both lists, the organ is the main instrument on the list that is likely to be judged most unfairly or harshly… the sound and quality, more than any of the other instruments is dependent upon the quality of the instrument and the quality / training of the player. People lump a Conn or Hammond in the organ category and there is no comparison to a quality pipe organ played by a true musician. So once again, your experience in your particular church is not representative and that seriously undermines the surveys validity.
I personally have been blessed with a church that has an awesome pipe organ and an equally awesome organist.
As stated in a previous comment, this poll is very biased in that most middle aged and older people do not participate on twitter and web polls.
I don’t mind drums if played conservatively and is part of the background of sounds, but when they are played to excess they can be harsh, annoying and distracting.
I think it’s funny that some churches put up the clear wall of plexi-glass around the drums in order to tame the sound a bit. But then it seems the drummer just pounds all the harder.
The tambourine just looks goofy and adds little to the music. Every time I see it during worship I am reminded of Mamma Cass and her long psychedelic colored dress of the 60’s.
Ah… the Mamas and the Papas, “This is dedicated to the one I love!”
Well, Mama Cass did say that she “walked into a church, passed along the way…”
🙂
I’m shocked that bagpipes didn’t hit the favorites list!
I am actually surprised the drums fell mostly on the negative side, which clearly reflects the audience responding. Churches which use more of the older hymns would be less inclined to be positive about drums and more inclined to want the piano and organ as musical accompaniments.
We do a combination of hymns/praise and worship and have a brass section, a band section (guitars, bass guitar, drums, piano and organ) along with our choir and praise team. The house is filled with music which accompanies (and improves) our singing! At times various instruments fade into the background while at others they come in strongly- it all depends on the style of the song being played/sung. True instrumentalists know their role and work hard to create a blended sound rather than be the standout person in the band.
After all, whatever instruments we use, it is for His glory!
Yes I agree. Our congregation is Very conventional and we have a drummer and bass. All the churches that are exploding in membership have electric keyboards and guitars. I’m trying to figure out Twitter users who don’t favor drums or cowbells !
piano
guitar (either acoustic or electric)
bass guitar
drums
organ (but with someone that can make it sing not the sad mopey organs).
Good singers and good worship leaders that are anointed help cover a multitude of musical mistakes!
Granted, I am biased coming from a Pentecostal background.
Love the podcast and the blog!
What I think is interesting is that electric guitars were not on either list yet if you go in many contemporary churches it is the most prominent sound.
It’s interesting that drums were on the negative list. They are becoming the staple of modern worship bands in almost every church with contemporary worship.
Well this poll is clearly generational. No one from any contemporary congregation need reply.
1. Keyboard. Piano is applicable
2. Fender Stratocaster, it’s an electric guitar folks.
3. Fender Bass
4. Drums
Or we can just sing our old English hymns like our great grandparents.
Cowbell ? Really ?
No tambourines, that’s holy rollers, we can’t have that.
You haven’t lived until you’ve heard “Amazing Grace” on the “bowed hand saw”. It was the Easter special music for a service in North Carolina.
It was a winner in PA, too! Any instrument, played well to the glory of God is welcome to me.
I just ‘unfollowed’ a minister who suddenly has come to the conclusion that ANY instruments of ANY kind in worship are a reflection of 1st-century paganism, despite the tradition of musical use in the Psalms. He seems to think that the NT writers, by not mentioning instruments, are forbidding instruments. I didn’t want to continually receive his ongoing rants trying to justify his position, so I just hit the ‘unfollow’ button. I have seen many different instruments used worshipfully in a service, including a musical saw (no joke.) And a quartet of tubas/baritones playing Christmas music is wonderful! But there are many instrumentalists who are 1) unskilled and unwilling to improve, or 2) egotists who imagine that playing for church resembles an American Idol tryout, or 3) have no concept of the fusion of musical excellence with simultaneous corporate worship.
Had that conversation once. “So there will be musical instruments in Heaven, and there were musical instruments in the OT worship, therefore God who loved music in worship in the OT, and who will love music in worship in Heaven, doesn’t like it in the church today?”
Most likely you were conversing with a Campbellite (they prefer to call themselves “the Church of Christ”). Arguing with them over musical instruments is like beating your head against a brick wall.
Interesting…..I’ll bet if we subdivide organ into “pipe organ” and “Hammond B-3” we might see some interesting results – again, along generational lines.
Oh, and by the way, we’ve used a banjo in worship……of course, I am in the state of NC, the patron state of the banjo (because it is the home state of Earl Scruggs!). Bluegrass worship – it is the next “big thing.” 😉
Keep up the good work Dr. R!
Agree. Hammond B3 is not the same thing as pipe organ. That may have been specified.J
I know some preachers that can’t preach a sermon without a Hammond B3! So I agree that clarifying the type of organ may have resulted in a different response.
Thanks, Rob. The question was open-end. A couple respondents did list the Hammond B3.
Never heard anyone say “we need less cowbell.” so MORE COWBELL!!!