Gospel Music
A Look Into Gospel Music Origin, Roots, History
When you think of gospel music, chances are churches and large church choirs doing rousing performances were the first things that came to your mind. But would you believe that there was a time when such performances would hardly be associated with the church? Not too many people know that Gospel music origin, roots, history didn’t just usher the creation of a new music genre, it also gave birth to the present-day African-American culture.
Gospel music origin, roots, history goes back to Africa but most of the sound was developed on American soil, particularly in the southern area, during the 18th century at the height of the slavery era. Tribal African music dealt exclusively with the sacred and was used by tribesmen as a means to be in harmony with nature. When the American slavers brought Africans to American soil, a ban prohibiting their native music and the use of traditional African instruments was imposed on them. This was done in order to further subjugate them and prevent them from communicating with one another. The enslaved Africans then turned to creating a new kind of music by using Christian subjects instead and fused their traditional African music styles with the Western style of harmony and musical instruments, thus began the gospel music origin, roots, history of modern day gospel music.
The roots of gospel music first started to grow in the South where slavery flourished during the 1600s. To keep the enslaved Africans in check, the Africans were also compelled to attend their masters’ worship services, which further reinforced the slavery doctrine. The church and religion became the slaves’ sanctuary and acted as their guiding force in times of great adversity, even more so after their eventual emancipation. It wasn’t long before their own brand of African-American culture and music started to thrive within the safe confines of the churches. The converted slaves started to adapt the normally somber and sedated Methodist hymns, infusing it with their own native music. In a fact, a lot of the well-known present-day gospel song patterns, such as the popular call and response style and the use of complex percussion rhythms, are also key features of tribal African music.
Gospel music started to spread towards the North American territories during the late 1800s when slaves were allowed to publicly perform in large musical ensembles. The new breed of music was embraced by the all-white public, their interest obviously piqued by the new sound. Pretty soon the influence of gospel music started to trickle down not only to traditional religious music but also to popular American music.
Some of the most popular personalities in recent music history such as Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Jerry Lee Lewis among others have cited their own gospel music origin, roots, history back at their own churches as having a significant influence on them. Of the aforementioned names, only Mahalia Jackson—the undisputed first Queen of Gospel Music—has the distinction of maintaining a steady career in gospel music. The others had also found crossover success in secular music, despite not completely severing their gospel music roots throughout their music career.
About the Author
Are you looking for the best Gospel music origin, roots, history? Visit http://www.garyharbin.com/ for the best music, concerts, cd’s, books, and more!
Medley of Old School Gospel Music
|
|
Sister Rosetta Tharpe on Guitar – Refrigerator Magnet $2.00 This magnet features an image of Rosetta Tharpe, who was among other things known as a pretty fair guitar player… |
|
|
Elvis Presley Shot Shooter Glasses Barware The Iconic Elvis Presley Is Captured In The Images On This Shot Glass Set. The Young Comeback Elvis Dressed In Black Leather And The Aloha Elvis Dressed In The Gemstone White Jumpsuit. The Music And The King Live On. A Must For Elvis Collectors…. |
|
|
PROTECTED BY A GOSPEL MUSIC LOVER Mug for Coffee / Hot Beverage (choice of sizes and colors) T-ShirtFrenzy offers over 30,000 designs on tons of products to offer millions of variations. You can search our store for something for everyone on your gift list or shop for yourself (our personal favorite). Please contact us with questions…. |
|
|
Live at Madison Square Garden: The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir [VHS] $18.88 SONGS- (1) COVERED (2) FAVORITE SONG OF ALL (3) HE’LL WELCOME ME (4) I AM NOT ASHAMED (5) I’M NOT AFRAID (6) IT’S NOT IN VAIN (7) LEAD ME LORD (8) LOOK, AWAY (9) MEDLEY OF CHANGE (10) YOU WERE THERE… |
|
|
Turn Your Radio on [VHS] $3.72 TURN YOUR RADIO ON Bill and Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends… |
|
|
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – Live: He’s Been Faithful [VHS] $12.98 Songs: We Come Rejoicing Take Up Your Cross His Name Be Glorified He’s Been Faithful It’s Good to Give Thanks Giving My Best I’m Clean The Lamb Has Overcome Worthy Is the Lamb that Was Slain / Hallelujah… |
|
|
Gospel…couleurs – 24W x 18H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
The Preacher’s Wife $4.09 Features include: •MPAA Rating: PG•Format: DVD•Runtime: 124 minutes… |
|
|
Godspell $4.97 One of the most requested titles at Movies Unlimited, this musical, based on the hit play, presents the Gospel According to St. Matthew as played out in modern Manhattan. Colorful costumes and exciting choreography highlight this favorite that features the songs “Day by Day,” “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “Light of the World,” and others. With Victor Garber, David Haskell. 103 min. Standard an… |
|
|
Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself: The Play $4.19 Tyler Perry first portrayed his Mable “Madea” Simmons character in this funny and uplifting play that follows young Vianne as she leaves her abusive husband. With the help of her strong-willed and brash grandmom, she attempts to get on with her life. But when her sister announces plans to marry her caustic ex, can their family bonds ever be restored? Song-packed gospel tale co-stars Kisha Grandy, … |
