Musical beat and ritual

[Toby Stimpson]

Hi all,

So a question related to music and ritual. When working in rituals, or trying to create energy to manipulate in ritual... how many use instruments to create beat?

What instruments do you use and how do you use them? Also, what do you think of playing music in the background when performing ritual...such as say, a piano piece or a flute medley?

I've been thinking just about experimenting with music and meditation. I know that ritual and meditation are not always imilar depending upon what you are doing. To me it seems that I cannot NOT have a beat when it comes to magic or ritual. Even something as simple as striking my leg or tapping my foot, or swaying.

Also another thought... what about body movement?> I know ritualized body movement is important when dealing with say, Ceremonial magic. What about forms of magic? or Ritual?

[Zephyrstorm]

Music is integral in my life - and so it is in my rituals too. I sing it, dance it, drum it, and even occasionally play my lap harp or pan flute during rituals.

It really just depends on how much planning and premeditation went into it as to what I choose, and what kind of magic or ritual I am doing. ;)

I have a dumbek, a dumbek like drum from Cambodia, and an ocean drum. The first is used largely in group situations and for setting a rhythm for ritual dance for others. The second isn't used often at all, because its construction requires a tricky method of tuning it. (you have to have a nice big fire and a way to hang it safely above to do it the way it was designed to be tuned.) The third is brilliant for soft meditations and visualizations.
I play the pan flute and the lap harp mostly as a means of saying thank you to the Gods - of the two I'm more likely to choose the lap harp because I suck at the pan flute (really, I do.)

And I sing when moved to, sometimes for praise, sometimes for energy, sometimes just for fun. I've had times when my voice seemed to have a life of its own during ritual, and suddenly found myself singing a song that just. fit.

I also have a Tibetan singing bowl for meditation.

[childofbast]

I sometimes use meditation CDs. They can be very helpful, especially when I'm trying to meditate in bed and my fiance has the fan on and is snoring... lol.

In group rituals, we tend to chant a lot, but I would also like to incorporate more music. Especially drums. I'm a huge fan of drum circles. I also love to dance and get almost trance like while really involved in some dances.

~Melanie

[SacredWithin]

I don't always use music for ritual or meditation, but when I do, I try to find something suitable for the intent. For example, if it's something to build energy or whatever, I gotta get something that might start off a bit calm and then elevate into something more upbeat.

[~Elise~]

I use meditation music when doing guided meditations for my group sometimes. We've also built rituals around musical pieces...certain pieces to call quarters with, ones to raise energy, etc.

Elise

[patch]

I think music is great for ritual. It has a good psycological effect.

In simple rituals at the altar, I tend to avoid music. It distracts.
But sometimes I have a section in that ritual where I play music for the gods, or I dance or something.

For rituals that are more about dance...there is NOTHING like the amzing atmosphere good music builds up.
On a warm, summer evening a few weeks back, I put some music on and did my ritual.
The invocations sounded really good to music, it builds up so much tension; and the dancing itself was amazing(and rather sweaty).

In future I would like a small drum which I can play to the gods. :)

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I don't know if it would qualify as music or even a musical instrument but I find that I end up picking up two large sticks and will beat out a tune with them. As the rate increases the rate of my heart and breathing increases to match it.

Yet it's more like I am matching the breathe of the land than actually creating a song or tune for the beat changes depending upon where I am at. I do not think it has ever been the same or repeated identically when I return to the spot as I first heard it in my mind.

The only time I can say for sure I have heard or seen things was a drum and log that was being used to tap out a tune that the dancers around the fire stepped to. Yet in those instances I was in a dream journey and a spirit journey respectively.

[Garm]

For me playing an instrument would be too much of a distraction and over all I would rather keep the magic and musical pursuits separate. I'll often have background music [I thought every body did] . While it doesn't give me a "rhythm" It can set pace and tempo. I like to burn isopryl [rubbing alcohol] or similar fuel in a "Tibetan" butterlamp, it gives a great illumination by which to draw a circle and the flame can be used to burn whatever runes or sigils need launching. I try to coincide the time it takes to do the rite with the length of the piece of background music and the time it takes for the flame to burn itself out, if it all lines up precisely it is a good sign indeed.

A typical, because superb, piece of music for such purposes would be this hymn to Aten by Philip Glass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pd1V7M2Ia8

[cheddarsox]

If/when I use music in ritual, it is pretty much all we are doing at the time. I never use it as backround. I find music most effective when it can be focused on.

So, if we are drumming, we are drumming and focusing on the beat.

If we are using music in meditation, we are paying attention to it and going where it leads us.

If we are making music, singing...that is all we are doing. And sometimes we play music to dance, but that too is focusing on what the music has to offer.

I find backround music to be distracting..either the music takes my attention away from what I'm trying to do...or the other words/actions distract me from the power of the music.

But that might just be my own attention issues.

[Solya]

I usually play music in the background, but apart from some occasional drumming I do not make music myself. I use different songs for different purposes and sometimes dance to it when I feel like it. If there's one thing I cannot stand, however, it is music that's specifically designed for these purposes... I feel like music should talk about the integral parts of a human being's life instead.

[plumedsnake]

Check out a book called Music and Trance by Gilbert Rouget.

[Teresa]

My choices in music are based upon which Entity I am trying to make contact with. Most often drumming or dancing or a wooden flute is involved for me. Some times I use rattles too.

[Corvus]

I don't really have musical talent myself, so I rely on outside sources. If I am trying to raise energy, I often dip into melodic/trance techno music with a bright tone and a good beat. I also like drums, especially if I'm working with other people who can't get into techno. For quiet meditation, I often rely on "New Age" music.

[wandcarvr]

music speaking only for myself is essential- it can be a simple as listening to the rhytm of your heartbeat or listening to others heartbeat, though ive used in a group setting the top of a half full jar ,simply tapping on it when each one does it at different speeds and times can be very ecstatic. think about it every electron in your body is moving,your blood flowing, your breathiong is all in some way music.

[Ivy Artemisia]

In ritual, for attunement and meditation, I find its nice to have one or 2 drums drumming a simple beat. For energy raising, though- the more the better!

[ffetcher]

Music is tremendously important to me both in ritual and in personal meditation. It helps that I can write melody (and sometimes chants), but drum rhythms and drones are equally useful.

If it's done right, music bonds a group more effectively than anything else I've encountered.

blessings
ffetcher

[Amilee]

Music is so wonderful isn't it? :cutie:

I play piano (advanced), Irish Penny Whistle, Sing, I haven't tried drumming but I'd like to.

anything's good when it comes to music. It's just getting everyone to agree on a piece when you're working in a group.

[ffetcher]

Check out a book called Music and Trance by Gilbert Rouget.

Thanks for the recommendation. I ran a copy down and wish it had been on my bookshelf ever since it was published.

I suspect that it'd be heavy going for someone with no background in either music or anthropology: I also suspect that it would repay the effort even if you don't have the background.

Interestingly, a couple of the author's hypotheses are supported by recently emerging, though by no means conclusive, research in neuroscience and psycho-acoustics.

blessings
ffetcher

[BlackLili]

I love using dance as an offering to my Patrons. I've been bellydancing for almost a year now, and am preparing for my first solo this winter. While preparing my choreography, I also have to choose a stage name and make my costume - all of which has put me very much in a ritual mindset. It's even inspired me to pull together a tattoo I've been waiting for the "right" moment to get for the last 7 years.

So in short, yes, I love music and dance in ritual. lol

[Astara Seague]

I use background music in some of my meditations and in my readings
as far as ritual..
well occasionally, it really depends on what we are trying to do
sometimes its distracting other times its an asset

[Teresa]

Hi all,

So a question related to music and ritual. When working in rituals, or trying to create energy to manipulate in ritual... how many use instruments to create beat?

What instruments do you use and how do you use them? Also, what do you think of playing music in the background when performing ritual...such as say, a piano piece or a flute medley?

I've been thinking just about experimenting with music and meditation. I know that ritual and meditation are not always imilar depending upon what you are doing. To me it seems that I cannot NOT have a beat when it comes to magic or ritual. Even something as simple as striking my leg or tapping my foot, or swaying.

Also another thought... what about body movement?> I know ritualized body movement is important when dealing with say, Ceremonial magic. What about forms of magic? or Ritual?

During some of my rituals I have played my flute and/ or piccolo and at other times I sought out sacred rhythms on my drum. There have been times where fate would have me stumble upon a CD which held just the perfect piece to be played in the background and I have just chanted and danced.

There have been times where I felt that something took over and directed my movements in dance during ceremonies. For the most part working in a group the dance is choreographed to an extent with a small amount left for interpretation if any. It depends on whom you are working with and even what traditions you hail from as well.

There have been people who do well being spontaneous and others who find success with a rehearsed and choreographed dance and rhythm.

Chants and music and dance woven together make it seem so easy for me to be able to raise energy.

I come from a Voudou and Hoodoo background so I speak from this perspective. There are things done with others and some done alone in my case.