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Philosophy: Do we need to practise to be good musicians to effectively spread the Holy names?

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      CommentAuthorrasa108
    • CommentTimeJul 3rd 2008 edited
     
    Interesting quote from Srila Prabhupada:

    "As I have already written to you, we should not try to become a very popular musical party. Music is one of our items for chanting, but we are not musicians. We should always remember this fact. The best example is that we take advantage of the typewriting machine, but that does not mean we are professional typists."

    From a Letter to Mukunda - Wednesday July 2 1969
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    It sure helps when devotees know how to play mridungas and kartals in a kirtana. Decent lead singing is a must as well :)
    And a good harmonium player can do wonders for devotee spirits in a bhajana...
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      CommentAuthorccd
    • CommentTimeJul 3rd 2008
     
    I was just wondering recently, there was such a change to the worldwide movement, when Prabhupada, by Krsnas grace, got the harmonium in NY and recorded his album. Such a huge result and impact! So no we do not need musicians for that, however devotees should be excellent in it... without being or thinking oneself to be professionals. I just can not stand devotees going for false notes and claiming to be like BSST...
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      CommentAuthorPandu das
    • CommentTimeJul 3rd 2008
     
    One of the qualities of a devotee is to be "expert," so of course we should do our best to become expert in the various methods of devotional service.
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    ccd:... I just can not stand devotees going for false notes and claiming to be like BSST...
    Amen to that... usually that is an argument of devotees who should never lead the kirtan ;) A good kirtan is pure magic... a dischorded kirtan is not just a tapasya, it is a disaster!
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      CommentAuthorrasa108
    • CommentTimeJul 3rd 2008
     
    Of course there is the instance where Bhaktisiddanta Maharaja purposely chose a bad singer to lead kirtan, so that his disciples would appreciate the Holy name rather than focus on how good a singer the devotee is (or how well they play mrdunga or harmonium or any other instrument). My perspective is....yes become expert but keep it simple and always remember we are glorifying the Holy names and not ourselves!

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