White vs. Black Gospel: Is There Really Any Difference Between Them

It might surprise people to learn that gospel music is actually a form of American Protestant music that’s deeply embedded into the 19th-century religious revivals that splintered off into both Black and White communities.

Both types of gospel music have grown in popularity with radio and television broadcasts,recordings,concerts and song publishing.

White Gospel Music

This type of gospel is the culmination of the 19th and early 20th centuries of different European American musical traditions such as Protestant Christian revival-meeting spirituals,hymnody,etc. This has resulted in unique music qualities,including strophic music (verses with a refrain). The music often relates to a personal religious experience with a significance on salvation.

These songs were first sung in Sunday-school hymnbooks,but sometime during the early 20th century,the music became more upbeat and vocal with a positive message. Some musicians have blurred the lines of gospel music with country and Appalachian music. The rural south calls gospel music country gospel. The differences in these generas of Gospel is vast. Something to suit each different type of listensers taste.

Black Gospel Music

When it comes to Black gospel music and black spritual songs we were able to determine that during the late 19th and early 20th centuries,this type of gospel came about through Black spirituals songs that slaves would sing. The history of Black gospel music can be traced back to early 19th century hymnals. Church congregations would sing various poems and test to popular hymn tunes. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that Black hymnals had music applied to them,but it was plain White hymnodies.

During the last half of the 19th century,what took place was a style shift in Black hymnody,which helped to create very colorful Black gospel music seen today in many Black churches and worship programs. We discovered several Gospel radio stations in our city. They play black gospel and inspirational music 24 hours a day,for more information check outhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/a-better-gospel/A-Better-Gospel-Announces-its-New-Online-Gospel-Music-Radio-Station.pdf