Religion and Music

When I was a child, I stayed with my father's mother every other weekend and we'd go to a different church practically each time I visited. Some were the traditional straight laced churches that were strictly there to listen to the word through the preacher, and most of them were the more community oriented environments where fellowship was a must. The community oriented churches ranged differently as to how the music was performed. They ranged from just vocals to a full band with drums and organs and guitars.

The way in which the performers moved during their songs determined what was acceptable in the church, for instance, the performers who sang A Capella or a small group accompanied with drum and guitar usually stood in one spot, swaying and clapping to the music if it was a tempo in which to do so, which made the behavior of the audience mimic their movement. With a large group including a full band along with an organ or piano, the freedom becomes limitless. People sway and stomp and clap and sing and sometimes run around the room bouncing from pew to pew with joy on their faces.

This particular observation is proof that the type of music that is played determines the behavior of an audience. Fast paced music with a catchy tune enables the audience to move more and feel comfortable with the words that they are singing. It also ensures the possibility of the member returning to the church due to the freedom and connection they experienced.