Creative Inconsistency
By Dr. John Roberts, Contributing Writer
How many times have musicians, lead singers, and choir members been asked this question: “Why was it the last time you sang or played that song, it was different than this time?” For those who sing or play an instrument, the beauty of music is the opportunity for “creative inconsistency” or, as I sometimes like to call it, “inspirational interpretation.”
One of the greatest gifts God gives, as we worship, is the ability to interact with His Spirit. There are times when, while playing or singing, rote interpretation of the selection is required. This is especially so when playing or singing anthems or classical selections. These musical masterpieces do not lend themselves to creative inconsistency. The beauty of these numbers is in their original construction. However, when it comes to hymns—classic, traditional, or contemporary gospel selections—there is the ability for individual interpretation of the selection by those playing and singing.
This is not to say the foundation of the selection has been compromised, just enhanced. Many times, when playing a hymn, e.g., “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,” I have not connected with the words of the song. I have just looked at the page and played it as written without any expression. Yet, there are times—particularly after some event of the week has occurred—when I think of the words and something stirs within my inner spirit which causes a difference in the way I’ve previously played the song. This creative inconsistency is a way to give added praise to God for allowing His Spirit and His grace to have carried me through the occurrence of the prior week.
I think of Brent Jones’s song, “Rough Edges.” When viewing the scoring, I see what must be done technically to teach the song to my choir. When I play the song, initially, there’s not a connection. When teaching the parts, there’s not a connection. Yet, when thinking about the words without the responsibility of playing or teaching, they strike an inner chord which, in turn, affects me spiritually and effects my interpretation musically. One part of the song particularly hits home, “Whatever You think I need to be my best – Smooth out the rough edges.” When I played the song for the initial rendition, my focus was on the correct presentation. After the first rendition, when it was performed again, there is a difference because my focus is not on the perfection of the rendition but the interpretation of the rendition by the choir and myself. Being more at ease with the song and allowing God to work through the choir and me—we, those performing—realize the importance of the song. We are laying at God’s feet all we know that have made us rumpled. We are asking Him to smooth out the rough edges in our lives. In doing so, there is a connection not found during the first rendition. The creative inconsistency has taken hold.
Dr. John Wm. Roberts is the director of music and principal musician for Lee Chapel AME Church in Auburn, Alabama. He is the dean emeritus of The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and associate professor of English, History and Social Sciences [retired] at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana-Columbus Region.
