A ringing vocal vibrato with clapping, shouting, and stamping as accompaniments, who wouldn't know that the song being played is one of those soul-uplifting black gospel songs? The form may be verse-and-chorus or a solo-and-response, but one definite thing is that the song has strong and well-defined characteristics.

Black gospel songs are used in prayers, sermons, and in testimonials which make up the rest of the worship service. They are so powerful and popular and this is why many people download black gospel songs online, including non-active church members! Yes, these songs are so compelling that even people who are not active in church get hooked in listening to them. Some of these people are those studying music or those who wish to turn a specific piece into a winning material for a singing competition.

Now, did you know that the early solo singers and small ensembles of the black gospel songs only used banjos and guitar as their accompanying instruments? It’s only in the 1930s that the piano became an additional accompaniment. Then, two decades later, the organ became a more popular instrument for the genre.

It would be interesting to note that whenever you download black gospel songs, you download music that is a synthesis of Afro-American and West African music, poetry, dance, oratory, and drama. It is a combination of different forms but of the same message - a celebration of the Christian life-- both pertaining to salvation and hope. What's so good about black gospel music is it allows simultaneous individual and communal creativities to flow. It is reflective of the African and Afro-American music which emphasizes constant dialogue between a person and his community - a musical culture which is very distinct and liberating.