CHURCH PIANOS AND ORGANS- GUIDE
One of the most pressing questions in church music today is how do we utilize the vast talents of qualified
organists-pianists and the instruments that they play. With the “trendy” use of digital keyboards in many
“contemporary” churches serving as the main instrument, many parishioners have lost the understanding that
acoustic instruments are by far the best. Many piano dealers will have you believe that the acoustic piano and
the classic organ are on the way out. Nothing is further from the truth!
The sparky sound and tinkling strings that synthetic voices produce are apt to sound “fine” to the uninitiated but
to the classical musician there is never a question as to the superiority of the acoustic grand piano or the pipe
or digital-pipe combination organ for sheer majesty and grandeur. When church music committees consider
long term reliability and artistic merit, they always seek the best they can acquire.
It is a sad situation when “young” people (and adults also) grow up in churches and never hear what “real”
pianos and organs sound like. True, the musicians that play digital synths produce nice textures that sound
like everything else on the car radio or on CD or on TV….everyone can listen to that and almost everyone can
approximate it to a degree with little keyboard skill. BUT to hear a fine concert grand or a 100 rank pipe organ
and try to compare?...an exercise in futility.
Keep in mind that there are music companies that sell electric keyboard instruments and hope you will fall for
the sales pitch that promotes these instruments as an "all you will ever need" item. Remember that serious
music is ultimately composed for acoustic instruments and that electronic pianos are primarily built for FUN,
commercial music and portability. The excellent digital pianos that we sell are primarily used as an adjunct
tool for practice, composition and a means to take advantage of the ease of digital file transfers and
corrections. Music writing software allows MIDI input for editing new works for voice, piano, orchestra etc.
Ultimately these files are set for acoustic instruments and developed for choral, orchestra, organ, piano and
other instruments. Here is a sample what the digital ensemble can produce. It is a beautiful, interesting
realization of the Bach, "Jesu Joy" performed on the concert Harp and DIGITAL ENSEMBLE.
KeyArts understands that some churches simply cannot afford the cost of high-end pianos and organs and the
keyboard/synth device will have to serve. Also, some church denominations simply have a leaning for
commercial sounding music and are content with it. So be it. Our purpose is to make across-the-board
suggestions based upon accepted, universal standards in music performance and practice. We will always try
to assist groups that for whatever reason have a need for electronic instruments, but we will never attempt to
“sell” you something just for a sale as some companies do.
What does one mean by saying electronic pianos will provide “the state of the art musical experience”?
This brings up the questions of art and artistic merit, musical heritage and fine arts in general. In the
commercial/pop culture it seems that anyone who plays anything is termed as an “Artist”. Well you can say that
until a real “ARTIST” comes along. The term artist and artistic are as different as black and white! An ARTIST is
a master of music and their instrument of choice. There are few “Artists” but many artistic persons. What
some music stores are trying to do is to slyly suggest to YOU that one can become an “Artist” if they use their
current state-of-the-art electronic machine…instant artistry with the push of a button!
When putting music in the context of the Church as offerings and celebrations to God, high artistic merit is
considered one of the standards applied to music and musical instruments. Are you really praising God with
lesser pianos and organs when better are available? Well, possibly so if that is what your budget supports
since we all do what we have to do in order to have musical religious expression. It is assumed that God can
be worshiped without any instrument, however it may be that inspiration derived from well performed music on
high quality instruments leads to an increased appreciation of the God-Human relationship. Gothic Cathedrals
were built precisely to provide a human concept of the grandeur of the Creator. Think about it.
W really have nothing against electronic pianos, (I use one) but they are after all, interesting toys and in my
opinion are to be looked at with fun in mind, and not serious business. They have their place but not for main
instruments in the Church or for students and serious pianists. All one has to do is visit one of the wonderful
organs or pianos in many Houston churches and your enthusiasm for electronic keyboards will be blown
away. Try it! You will see what I mean. The following links are REAL music with real ARTISTS, so use your
best audio settings.
This Audio Clip is Orchestra and 9’ Concert Grand
Enjoy the sonorities of the concert grand and orchestra in the Romantic period of music expressed by the Artist from the music of
Frederic Chopin, the master of exquisite melody in this concerto for piano!
This Audio Clip is Organ
In the Cathedral setting where the main organ with its mighty voice proclaims in majesty, the music of the Church in this Final
variation from Prelude, Adagio et Choral varié (sur le themé du "Veni Creator), Op. 4, by Maurice Duruflé.
KeyArts Houston & Church Organs of Houston, provide digital pianos used by professional musicians,
recording studios and teachers across the country: Kurzweil. With it, one can instantly & easily produce
virtually any type of synthetic music while incorporating recording ability and ease of use. Use it with UIL
rehearsals, choir accompaniment recording, parts recording for choir sections and piano students. Ask for a
demonstration of these professional electronic instruments.
Our digital pianos are at a much lower cost than any of the similar products available at most piano stores.
THANK YOU FOR READING OUR GUIDE.
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