Lisa Clemmons

Com 290

April 4, 2003

 

Gospel Music

 

Background

 

Gospel music was first seen as Anthem music and its roots were formed at the turn of the century.  The style of the music came about around the 1600s to 1865; it was know as the call and response pattern in which a leader sings and the congregation responds.  Spiritual and gospel music are so close that most people can’t tell the difference.  Spirituals are sung very slowly and with deep feelings; it’s a product of the slave experience in America which was passed down through oral tradition. Gospel has a rhythm and blues type of up beat which utilizes instruments of every kind.  (Drums, tambourines, guitars, saxophones, trumpet, etc.) Interest in black gospel music took control over the country and parts of the cities and towns because God said, make a joyful noise unto me using these instruments.

 

The increase in popularity turned some of the more conservative church members away from contemporary gospel music.  “These changes are part of a natural musical and cultural evolution.” (Lornell, Kip)  As African-Americans popular culture increased along with middle class status, so did gospel music.  The mission of the gospel music is still alive today, which is to; lift the spirits of the people and to help them express themselves through their religion.

 

Gospel music was also used during the Great Depression.  The music gave many people an up lifting way of taking their minds off depressing things.  “Most churches songs had no life, no spirit…gospel music intended to strike a happy medium for the down-trodden.” (Goins, L.) 

 

 

I           The term gospel music suggests many things to different people

 

• The word simply refers to any religious music, regardless of the music’s age or origin.
• “Congregational songs, ring shouts, quartets, sacred harp choirs,” would qualify. (Lornell, Kip)
• Gospel music is combined with secular forms including ragtime and blues along with religious words.

 

 

II          Gospel music in the 1930s

 

• This music was very important in the early 1930s
• Thomas A. Dorsey was regarded as the “father” of gospel music
• During the 30s and 40s Dorsey worked with two important figures of Black Gospel music.  Mahalia Jackson and Sallie Martin.
• Dorsey toured the country performing, lecturing, and writing songs.
• There will be Peace in the Valley and Precious Lord, Take my Hand
• In the 30s the gospel movement was centered around Chicago, where most of the gospel groups and choirs sung in churches.  The 40s saw gospel music now on a national scale.

 

 

III        Gospel Music and the Black Consciousness

 

• In many traditional African culture, music serves as a powerful instrument as a form of communication.
• “Like the spiritual which preceded it, gospel is a testament to both the continuation of significant elements of an older world view among black Americans and to their sense of community.” (Goines, Leonard)

 

IV        Controversial and social issues

 

• “It was within the context of a sharpening dichotomy between church music and street music that gospel song developed.  A division between sacred and secular was not part of the African world views as it is in the West.” (Goines, L.)
• Black churches were seeking respectability by banning the shout, and staying within the traditional singing.
• Many of the churches were trying to discourage gospel music because they felt that the church stood for spiritual healing and uplifting.
• This type of music turned some of the more conservative church members away from contemporary gospel music.

 

 

V         Conclusion

 

• By the 1950s, gospel music had made a great change, it was more sophisticated.
• The demand for marketing and  musical diversity was in great demands
• In most of the Black Churches today, gospel music can be heard loud and clear with instruments of every kind being played while the congregation clap their hands, stomp their feet, shouting and praising God.

 

 

 

 

For more information on Gospel music, click on to these websites:

 

 

http://www.blackgospel.com

http://www.gmtn.com

http://www.sgma.org