Always Be Learning
Cultivating Musicality & Fostering Musicianship
16 David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.
1 Chronicles 15:16 NIV
By all accounts, my journey as a musician has always followed a pattern of late blooming. My parents tried to introduce me to different instruments when I was a child, but I was more interested in sports like basketball and American football, as well as outdoor activities like biking and exploring with my friends. Even still, music was undoubtedly a primary marker of my milieu. In a forthcoming article in my music and worship series, I will interview my pops to review 10 songs from the 70s, uncover the origins of his eclectic musical taste, and discuss how he has left an indelible mark and influence on my musical journey.
I had this naive notion that everyone could carry a tune or hear pitch, only to find that it was more about the high standard deviation of musicality in Filipino culture than a common trait among the population at large. There was always an encouragement to participate, and I was always within earshot of someone singing along to a favorite song. To use a Filipino term, music was my sonic kapaligiran.
Kapaligiran – a deep, holistic connection between humanity, nature, and God, serving as a vital “home,” rather than merely one’s surroundings or environment.
When I did pick up an instrument, I focused solely on guitar, cutting my teeth on a steel-string acoustic (my first love and my pops’ instrument of choice). I also dabbled with nylon string on occasion and really got immersed once I laid my hands on an electric guitar. I was forever hooked. For about 5 years or so, there was never a day I didn’t have a guitar in my hands—whether I was letting off some steam studying for Finals (exams) or just happening upon a jam session while hanging out with some buddies. In college, I habitually hung out in the campus quad, which was always teeming with people, and played and sang songs between classes. It was a great icebreaker and crowd-drawer, and I can’t tell you how many friends I made through a shared interest in music. I’d turn up at open mics to play covers and flourished in varying-sized garages to write music with friends, some of whom were part of up-and-coming bands in the Bay Area music scene.
Little did I know that many years later, the Lord would call me into ministry. My focus had long since shifted away from musicality and musicianship into a hunger to learn more about Christ. Although I still enjoyed discovering new music as an avid listener (especially with my two younger brothers), I very rarely picked up a guitar, and many knew me more for my pastoral leadership, rigorous study habits, and prayerful, prophetic preaching. Playing and singing on guitar had become secret talents no one really knew about. A campfire staple or party trick I would wander into if there happened to be a guitar present. What was once inseparable became a relic of disuse, a remnant of the old Gino. There is a tendency among artists to identify too deeply with their artistic work to the point where the gift becomes the self, and their vocation can displace everything else. Truly, during this time, the Lord was reshaping my identity to be first and foremost in Him.
There were soft shades of foreshadowing in the mid-2010s that gave me a glimpse of the capacity the Lord would later permit me to serve. Even whilst I was involved in the core leadership of a ministry focused on engaging digitally native audiences at the edges of traditional church engagement, staffed by creatives, artists, and musicians, not many knew I had this ace up my sleeve. It wasn’t until I arrived in Birmingham, England, that this broadened scope of ministering started to come into focus.
Music & Worship Articles To Date
In 1 Chronicles 15, just as David instructed the Levites to appoint their brethren as musicians to usher the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, God had been orchestrating my background and development for such a time as to leverage all of my gifts and talents for His purposes and to usher His presence for His people. The following verses list Levites appointed as musicians and worship leaders, tasked with bringing the Ark into the city in the prescribed manner (Exodus 25:14-15 and Numbers 4:15, 7:9). Most notable are:
Heman, the “musical prophet,” who wrote Psalm 88. He was the son of Joel and the grandson of the prophet Samuel, representing a restoration of faithfulness after his father, Joel’s, corruption. He was also among the sons of Korah, who produced some of Israel’s most beautiful contributions to the Psalter, such as the well-known Psalm 42.
Asaph and Ethan, the Psalmist who authored Psalms 50, 73-83, and Psalm 89, respectively.
Chenaniah (aka Kenaniah), the chief singer and music director, was in charge of “pitching the tune”—determining key and time for all musicians and singers.
I have been fashioned and formed by the Lord as some kind of precentor in the vein of these men. Serving as one who leads a congregation in singing and helps guide them on a journey of communion with God.
Future Worship Artists, Leaders, & Singers
For those who are considering learning how to play an instrument or sing for the first time in a worship setting, at whatever age, allow my story/testimony to exhort you. As a Filipino born-again follower of Christ, my default posture is to invite all to participate, regardless of skill level, natural ability, or supernatural gifting.
Guitar & Arrangement Cohort
I have conducted a few online guitar lessons and want to establish a cohort across Birmingham, Bath, and other UK cities. I have a few people interested in joining in, one of whom I have already done guitar lessons with over video call.
Preaching & Reading Cohort
During my first year in the mission field, I was in two cohorts in Oxford—one dedicated to preaching and the other to reading theological books together with fellow ministers. I’m looking to develop my own group that touches on both.
Musical learning and worship have been thoroughly incorporated and integrated into our family’s daily and weekly rhythms. We see it as a vital part of discipleship and faith formation—nurturing our families’ growth in Christ.
Steph
I’ve always noticed that Steph can hear pitch and carry a tune when singing along to a favorite song. She has the capability, but the only things she has lacked are confidence and the desire to practice.
My affirmations over the years have encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone and deepen her understanding of melody and harmony. She has expressed interest in joining me when I lead worship.
Here’s a fun video of Steph indulging me with an a cappella version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” for our 12 Days of Christmas, circa Winter 2020. (Click on photo to view).
*Steph’s timbre and tone remind me a lot of Norah Jones, a well-known singer I have referred to as her vocal twin.
Shilo
The first time I noticed my youngest’s interest in drums was at my friend Ruth’s baptismal service last August. During the luncheon after the service, I caught this wonderful moment of him grabbing a drumstick. Notice how he has to try every drum and cymbal within reach.
Every time we’re at church service, Shilo is always eyeing the drums. A few days before Easter (+ baptism) Sunday, this year, I was part of the setup team. We put the kit together first, and as we moved on to position mics, monitors, and the rest, we caught Roo doing this:
AJ
My daughter has always loved singing along with me whenever I play guitar. Steph and I have found that giving each of our kids their own ukulele has furthered their enthusiasm for music.
AJ, in particular, is very expressive with her voice and has expressed interest in learning bass guitar, so we’re looking for a good deal on a used ukulele bass (aka U-bass) somewhere.
*AJ, Zo, and I singing “Grace Alone” by Dustin Kensrue:
Enzo
As far back as I can remember, Zo has always been enamored of singing and music in general. Whenever I would play, he would not only pause and watch me, but he’d also try to work out what was going on and where the sounds were coming from.
As a toddler, one of his favorite questions was, “What’s that sound?” Whether it was the wind trickling through wooden chimes or a sports car zooming by on the road, Zo was always trying to figure out where particular sounds came from.
*It took Zo less than 5 minutes to figure out this basic groove (kick + snare + high-hat) after I showed it to him 🤯:
Can I actually play drums?
For decades, I have never even thought of attempting to play drums. I was always intimidated by a full kit, as it required both gross and fine motor skills. Instead, I preferred to focus on specializing in singing and honing my craft on guitar.
But as each of our kids’ musical interests broadened, that naturally meant encompassing instruments beyond the purview of guitar. It all started with relearning how to play chords on a small keyboard to show Enzo a few songs, and he’s gotten really interested in playing piano more so than his ukulele.
When the junior drum kit arrived, I gave it a go to help Shilo learn how to practice. To my surprise, I had no idea drums came naturally to me until just recently.
It just goes to show you that it’s never too late to learn something new and to discover skills you never knew you had or ever thought were within your capabilities.