Posted on 05/04/2011 10:18:14 PM PDT by LouAvul
I'm an aspiring guitarist. I like some of Led Zeppelin's music. But Jimmy Page was reputed to have ties with witchcraft and satanism.
Do you see a conflict between Christianity and learning some of their instrumental guitar riffs?
Like, Stairway to Heaven. I kind of got around the question since it's actually "Taurus" by Spirit. But there are other guitar riffs I really like but am bothered by Page's influences.
“I disagree. If you only play the first few chords of “Stairway to Heaven” you will notice a burning in your fingers.”
Only if you don’t warm up properly first...or you need to develop thicker calluses ;)
Lyrics, yes, I’d have a problem. Strings of note progressions? No.
It is a bit like in the 50’s when Rock and Roll was purported to have an “evil satanic jungle beat”. Without lyrics, morality is not relevant to music. Musical notes are not evil, no matter what order you place them in. Neither is any rhythm.
Why are the roots bad? I suppose this could fall into the “don’t make the weaker brother stumble” realm.
Cant speak for him but for the sake of discussion...
I’d note that the Bro was given free will of his own and nothing in the good book I ever read gives weak brothers or any other man the power to control our choices via mistakes in their own their own... that IMO, would place us all our choices/behaviors at the mercy of another’s desires/failings.
Go ahead... laugh...
I laughed once too, then I played just the refrain backwards and my guitar caught on fire. My dog didn't recognize me for a week and my cat scratched me for no reason.
The very next day I almost got hit by a car and a moose bit my sister.
“I laughed once too, then I played just the refrain backwards and my guitar caught on fire”
Then don’t play it so fast ;)
It’s just some musical notes
We are all musicians in this house and playing a little Zeppelin is fine with us.
In fact, my sons go out of their way to be cool on modern music; remember Jesus going to the tax collectors house? I cannot tell you how many good evangelism opportunities have come out of such things for us.
Go for it!!! Enjoy your gifts from God.
Always remember God didn't ignore evil or sinners instead he overcame them all. Use these realities to shine God's light as He will lead you and your talents. Learn the skills. You and God will work together on your music. Don't short change your God given gift.
Exactly! What if the great Christian writer's never read work because it had some 'unChristian' content in it. They would have been robbed of: 1. a helpful understanding of culture, and 2.) vital skills as writers, thinkers, and believers.
Pa-leese! Jesus is stronger than Satan and one just needs to stay close to Christ and play their ass off :-D.
I sing. I listen to other artists to be a better singer. I love Christ and believe I am inspired by Him and the Holy Spirit, but I get my skills and tools from all over the place--especially the greats.
I have no problem with playing classic rock, I dig the music of the 60s and 70s, it’s about all I listen to when not listening to contemporary Christian rock. Classic rock is all I play on my guitar and drums.
God runs my life, not my music.
He owned two of them. Think he still does.
I’m 55 years old and have been playing rock/blues since I was 13 (well, almost 14). Page was one of the guys who inspired me to pick up the instrument; his work blew me away (along with Clapton and Hendrix).
For about the last 15 years, I’ve pretty much exclusively played in charismatic churches’ praise and worship teams. I get to use every lick I’ve ever used in rock or blues. You do know that gospel and blues form the bedrock of rock ‘n’ roll, right?
That said....don’t worry about it. My influences are quite varied (Gary Moore, Santana, Page, dozens of others) but when I play in church, I’m playing to an ‘audience’ of one: the Lord. I’m not there to showcase my chops; I’m there to help the congregants enter into worship....and I seem to do it pretty well. Why? Because I get the heck out of the way and let the Lord use me, my fingers, my instrument (black Les Paul Custom) to do HIS work; to do what HE wants done.
It’s that simple. Learn the chops as we all have; learn the licks. Pick up all you can, and definitely learn to play by ear (I don’t read a note of music). They’re all tools in your toolbox; nothing more. It’s HOW you use them.
God bless, enjoy the journey into becoming a fellow guitarist. It’s the best instrument ever devised by man. Use it to have fun for the rest of your life....but be sure to use it to glorify God.
P.S. I used to work for Jimmy Page’s daughter (she’s gorgeous and a VERY devout Christian). She’s working on him; trust me. :)
I caught a documentary on cable called “It might get Loud”...featured Jimmy and his house quite a bit...saw nothing satanist around. See:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RVZV9U/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B002RVZV9K&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1XE2WN04SW94GN0H2V11
and
I was at a festival where Alice Cooper sang. It was interesting to note that when he sang his old songs, the crowd went wild.
When he sang his new songs, the crowd just stood there.
Just an observation. Inspiration comes from good or evil...
Lou-
I am a classical musician. I have run into music that is inspired by non-Christian religonsand have drawn my line. If it is performed in a worship like setting, I cannot participate. If it is in a regular concert like setting, i play. That music is part of the musical heritage of the world and has relevance.
If the music you are looking at has relevance and is not done in a worship setting, it is OK. Just know your parameters and stick to them.
if the music makes you gyrate your hips or pelvis, it is evil, but if it only makes you tap your toes, then it’s okay
If you really want to lesten to great musicianship,
get yourself a Brad Paisley cd, and listen to him
play circles around Jimmy Page
Most country musicians are bigger, better, stronger,
and faster than those old, drugged out hippies
Earl Scruggs and Buddy Emmons can tell you that
Now those are guitar players!
On the chance you were not kidding...
The only part of a human body music ever moved is the ear drums or the legs to get said human away from 50,000 watts of glorious noise (to save said ear drums). Any other movement is done on the free will of the mover.
If you want to believe what you said, more power to you. But it isn’t backed up biblically, rationally, or in any other capacity outside the interpretation of a person who foster the belief on others.
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