Being a horn player myself, I know the frustration of wondering whether you are going to go out like the doorman at a hotel. Once the automatic and revolving doors came into existence, his job was pretty much obsolete.  Although there are a few doormen out there still doing their service, there are certainly not as many as a result of the advancement in technology.  Do horn players face the same fate?  Once the electronic synthesizer came into existence and the ability to play horns was available it seemed that everyone wanted to use that instead of a live horn section. Is it because the keyboard horns sound better?  Is it a money factor?  Is Psalms 150 being taking literally..."Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet"...therefore the actual instrument is not needed?  Keyboards such as the Yamaha Motif and the Roland Phantom are getting close to producing some realistic sounding horn samples.  Is it just a matter of time before they get it completely right?

I'm pleased to see artists such as John P. Kee, Fred Hammond, Tye Tribbett, and others do concerts with real horns.  Obviously if they are taking the time to build and write for a horn section, they see the significance of having one as a part of their ministry.  To me, live horns add a unique flavor to a service or song.  For one, there is more flexibility in what can be done in terms of harmonic variations within the lines themselves especially in a live situation.  Also the sound of a live horn section is warmer and more intricate than keyboard horns. 

When giving a display of how horns are used effectively in church, I always turn to the United House Of Prayer for All People.  They have an amazing theme in many of their churches where the horns are a huge part of their service.  Here is a video sample of a UHOP band playing an event outside.  I've seen horns and drums carry an entire service where God used the band to help usher in his presence.  I don't say that for the sake of competition with my fellow keyboardists and organists, only just to show that horn players are just as important to the ministry of God as any other instrument.

Why then are we quick to substitute real horns for "fake ones"?

by Letron Brantley (CEO & Founder)
GospelSkillz.com