Gospel music

Gospel music
Gospel music
Stylistic origins	Christian hymns,; Negro spirituals
Cultural origins	First quarter of twentieth century: US
Typical instruments	Vocals, piano, Hammond organ, electric guitar, drums, and bass guitar
Derivative forms	Rhythm and Blues
Subgenres
	urban contemporary gospel,; Southern gospel; (complete list)
Fusion genres
	Christian country music

Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music.

Like other forms of Christian music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most Gospel music is praise, worship or thanks to God and/or Christ.

Style

Gospel music in general is characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. Subgenres include contemporary Gospel, urban contemporary Gospel (sometimes referred to as "black Gospel"), Southern Gospel, and modern Gospel music (now more commonly known as praise and worship music or Contemporary Christian music). Several forms of Gospel music utilize choirs, use piano and/or Hammond organ, drums, bass guitar and, increasingly, electric guitar.

Gospel music subgenres

Urban contemporary gospel

Urban contemporary gospel (sometimes marketed as "Black gospel" to help distinguish it from other forms of Christian music, such as contemporary Christian music or Christian rock and Southern Gospel) is a subgenre of Gospel music.

Christian Country music

Christian country music, sometimes referred to as Country Gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, is also known as Inspirational Country.

Southern Gospel

Southern gospel, is sometimes called "quartet music" by fans due to the original all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet make-up.

Progressive Southern Gospel

Progressive Southern Gospel is an American music genre that has grown out of Southern Gospel over the past couple of decades.

Bluegrass Gospel

Bluegrass Gospel music is rooted in American mountain music.

Gospel blues

Gospel blues is a blues-based form of Gospel music (a combination of blues guitar and evangelistic lyrics).

Professional organizations

Firebird Arts Alliance - Encourages all races and religions to join

Gospel Music Association - Acknowledges all forms of Gospel Music

Pacific Gospel Music Association - Known for Southern Gospel

Southern Gospel Music Association - Known for Southern Gospel

Gospel Wire - Primarily urban contemporary gospel

Media outlets

Black Family Channel

Bobby Jones Gospel

Gospel Music Channel

The Inspirational Network

Christian Broadcasting Network

Trinity Broadcasting Network

References

v t e American folk music
Appalachian Old-time Cajun Swamp pop Folk revival (1950s–60s) Native American New Mexico Red dirt Tejano Western
African-American music	Blues Jazz Dixieland Creole Zydeco Jug Ragtime Spirituals Gospel
Country music	Americana Roots rock Bluegrass Honky-tonk Rockabilly Western swing