Five Favorite and Five Least Favorite Instruments Used in Worship Services

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

  1. Piano — Piano is not only a favorite; it is one of the few instruments that did not also get mentioned as a least favorite.
  2. Acoustic Guitar — This instrument was a clear second preference.
  3. Organ — This instrument was also the number one least favorite. There seemed to be a clear generational divide here.
  4. Violin — The violin and the organ were only one vote apart.
  5. Cello — This choice surprised me. Maybe it should not have surprised me.

Least Favorite

  1. 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.”
  2. Tambourine — I was surprised at the negative sentiment here. Apparently, many churchgoers believe this instrument to be the choice of those not musically inclined.
  3. Drums — Again, there was mostly negative sentiment here, but the reasons for the negativity varied.
  4. Handbells — Handbells did not get one positive vote.
  5. 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.
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124 Comments

  • I’ve always wondered why no one every asked me to play my Juice Harp in Church? HMMMMMMM….

  • While it’s always a treat to read through the differing views in the comment section, I was struck by something similar that seemed to be echoed across the board: Nobody likes an instrument when it’s not played well.

    It seems so simple, but maybe like with cooking, a quality ingredient (instrument) can still be ruined by poor execution or mismanagement of time. Maybe it’s less about instruments themselves and more about the skill, the attitude, and the discernment of their players.

    I know churches and Christian organizations that offer education and specialized training in areas like witnessing, preaching sermons, teaching children, speaking Spanish and other languages, and how to read/study the Bible. We have whole schools and programs set apart for raising up pastors. But how often do we offer music lessons or have the more seasoned leaders intentionally mentor the younger ones? It takes years of learning and practice to become a skilled musician. And every time I’ve been critical of an ensemble or solo, I’ve tried to remember that fact…. I know I can’t play an instrument well. I can’t even play one at all!

    As for favorite instruments used during corporate worship times, I am definitely partial to the staples of most contemporary worship music: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano/keys, bass, and drums/drum box. I also love how the more innovative worship teams have found ways to incorporate string instruments, from violins to mandolins, and more synthesized sounds that add to the overall flow and not clash/detract from the song or moment of worship. (Rend Collective, Crowder, Bethel, Hillsong, Housefires, and Matt Maher have been some of the leaders in reinvigorating and reminding me how music can be a tool to honor God for who He is and what He has done.)

    Despite the younger age of my church and its worship team members and despite our very Spirit-filled approach, a number of us 20-somethings have expressed a desire to bring in some of the hymns we grew up singing in our old, denominational churches. Kudos to those worship leaders who find ways of weaving together the best of the old and the new music styles! Even from a participant’s point of view, I know it ain’t easy!

  • What about ribbons, banners and flags? They’re not (usually) musical instruments, but they are instruments for worship…for some. I recently started leading an old church. Lots of people from a particular area of the world and subculture where this is popular. They’re asking if they can use them. I’ve said thus far, “not at the front…they’re a distraction.” I think they’re a holdover from a by-gone era. Have you done any research on this?

  • Cathy Kelso says on

    Best youth camp worship band ended up with keys, bass, djembe and mandolin. We rocked! Accordians are making a comeback. Our usual church band may be just keys or keys, bass, drums (great drummer), and guitar if g-daughter is home. I can get my pastor’s “grrr” in practice if I pull up the pipe organ on the keys 🙂 Fun! We did our last nursing home service with guitar and flute. Just started an instrumental ensemble so will be adding those instruments occasionally. I have a friend that is an incredible “by ear” trumpeter, and he is a wonderful addition to a service. We’re a small Southern Baptist church, blended (and I say we’re blended so well, we’re “pureed”), do it all and finding old players and training new ones. I play mostly keys at church, teach guitar at college and grew up playing drums, now play trombone in the college band. I don’t go anywhere without my egg shakers 🙂

  • So far, in the many years I’ve played for church worship, I have played: piano, organ, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, guitar synthesizer, keyboard synthesizer, mountain dulcimer, djembe, iPad/iPod, bass, and an electric upright bass I built specifically for playing ‘Oceans’. I am truly a jack of all trades and master of none – but I don’t mind, because I’m playing for God’s glory not mine. Any instrument that you can make a joyful noise unto the Lord on is appropriate in my mind…

  • I will not mention the name of the church near me, but it has a pipe organ that is played so loudly, I can not hear myself or anyone around me singing. It rattles the windows!
    Also……the sound of bagpipes is like fingernails on a chalkboard!

  • Andrew Tomashewsky says on

    Any instrument played poorly should never be played. Handbells have to be on the most favored list. Google Alleluia Ringers – Concordia Wisconsin, listen and you’ll know why.

  • I suspect the musician has more to do with it than the instrument… and I don’t just mean ‘proficiency’; attitude and sensitivity are probably more important than Exam Grades.

  • Here’s an interesting question, “What instruments do you see in churches that are growing, versus those that are shrinking?”
    Is there a correlation?

  • As someone who plays several instruments I can say that I love nothing better than to hear a grand piano played by a skillful player.

  • Vicki pledger says on

    I personally love handbells. It takes some talented and very coordinated people to play them. Also love bagpipes. Don’t care for loud organ music cause it tends to reminds me of a funeral dirge.

  • The person who sings and plays a shaker in front of their mic so that’s all we hear. Accept the fact you can’t play an instrument and don’t torture us.

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