How to be a Gospel Singer Now: The Ultimate Guide | Read Free Article 2022

How to be a Gospel Singer

How to be a Gospel Singer | Naijatrack
How to be a Gospel Singer

How to be a Gospel Singer: Are you looking for some inspiration to pursue gospel music as a career? If yes, then this guide is perfect for you.

Gospel music has always had a strong presence in the African American community. Many churches even have their own choir or praise band. In recent years, however, the genre has also become popular among non-black audiences.

There are many ways to get into gospel singing. This article will give you insight into the basics of becoming a gospel singer.

Definition of Gospel Music
Definition of Gospel Music

What is Gospel Music – Definition

Gospel music happens to be one of the oldest forms of Christian music. The genre has its roots in African American spirituals and hymns.

In the United States, gospel music is often associated with black churches. However, gospel music is now also enjoyed by people from other races and cultures.

Gospel music is a form of religious music that originated in the Southern United States. Its lyrics are usually written in English or in the vernacular languages of the region.

Definition of Gospel Music

Gospel Music

Gospel music can be defined as a divine way of preaching a gospel or being a guide to people, either to believers or unbelievers through singing. It is also a style of Christian music that is drawed and inspired by popular music traditions. By definition, gospel music can come from any number of ethnic(traditional) and religious styles.

Many gospel songs are extracts from traditional church hymnals. Based on research, the gospel began to compete with secular songs and integrate elements of country music, blues, and ragtime, making music as enjoyable as it was respectful. 

The History of Gospel Musics

African American Gospel Music

Gospel music has had a profound effect on popular American culture from its eighteenth century to the present day.

In Anglican, some of the most popular gospel songs of the day, including “Wonderful Grace” and “Rock of the Ages,” began as hymns in the eighteenth-century Anglican church. In Nineteenth  The term “gospel music” first appeared in 1874, when Baptist composer and evangelist Philip Bliss published Gospel Songs

Native American gospel music eventually became a common style, from the 1870s to the 1920s, gospel music centered on white churches and the culture of country music. Well known gospel artists of the time include IRA D. Sankey, George F. Root, and the Carter Family.

Black American church
Black American church
Crossover Artist
Crossover Artists

Gospel Music in the Black American church

Hymns have long been a part of the black church, and popular recordings of black gospel music were recognized in the 1920s and 1930s. Early Black American gospel stars included Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Sister Rosetta Tharpe (former ancestor of rock ‘n’ roll), and Arizona Dranes.

Crossover Artists

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, many gospel artists began to enter mainstream music. Soul and R&B artists such as Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, and Sam Cooke all learned their work in Baptist and Pentecostal gospel choirs, which laid the foundation for world R&B and rock music. 

History of Gospel Music
History of Gospel Music

Nigeria History and Evolution of Gospel Music

Nigerian Gospel music emerged in the 1970s as a distinct genre when choir music groups moved from church to community. This change made them accustomed to Gospel music for entertainment and commercial purposes. The writings of the songs are based on the Christian Biblical and traditional ideas. but its function includes both western and traditional musical instruments. Although themes and speeches have been developed, traditional Gospel music has been used as a tool for social and political commentary, as a means of expressing the aspirations of millions of helpless Nigerians, and aimed at achieving social reform for Nigerians

community.(Reference)

Evolution of gospel music in nigeria

The development of Christian music in various Nigerian languages ​​is linked to the Christian machine business in the country. Early Christian music was a major translation of European Christian hymns. A major weakness of the early Christian Yoruba hymns was that they did not consider a different tone of the Yoruba language. The missionaries translated English texts in the Yoruba language, but instead of providing the appropriate melodies for the vernacular, they retained the original Western vernacular songs. 

African music as well outside the church because of their converts because they regarded everything in African culture as pagan or demonic and therefore not worthy of any good use. And it came to pass that the patriotic fervor and the cultural revival of the late nineteenth century brought awareness to Nigerian Christians about the importance of their traditional music. So, for example, African churches, separate from the Western mission churches since 1888, were quick to integrate traditional music into Christian services.

Lagos, the country’s commercial capital, has played a key role in the development of popular Nigerian music. By the early twentieth century, many works of music and traditional choir artists had sprung up in many churches in Lagos. These early Christian musicians were not paid artists but members of the e · ergy or church staff. However, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, they combined the desire of Nigerians of traditional music.

Notable among the pioneers were Rev. Josiah Jesse Ransome Kuti, Dr. Thomas K Ekundayo Phillips, TA Bankole.

Christian music has entered the public domain through a slow process. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, Christian songs were played on the radio, and in the mid-1970’s, choirs from churches were occasionally invited to perform on radio and television, usually for about 30 minutes. 

ELWA (which came out on the air around 1992 when the radio was full of warring factions in the Liberian Civil War), the only Christian.

The West African channel broadcasting from Monrovia, Liberia, had a large audience in Nigeria, and many songs and hymns were broadcast by the choirs of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), a program that sponsors the station.

The son of the ECWA choir was so successful that some of the songs they sang on the radio soon ran out. Choirs from other denominations also imitated the new system, so much so that by the mid-1970’s, Christian music had become quite popular.

The first and most successful Gospel music group in Nigeria was the Good Women Choir of Christ Apostolic Church (a traditional Pentecostal church that broke away from the British Apostolic Church about 1937), Ibadan and the parish, led by Mrs. D.A. Fashoyin. It has appeared in public since the mid-1970’s, and all of its earlier records were highly esteemed. The Good Women Choir was originally a church choir, but it was able to reach out to the business community for a number of reasons. One of these was the emerging traditional recording studios, and etc.(Reference)

Four Distinct Type of Gospel Music

Styles of Gospel Music
Styles of Gospel Music

Can you name some types of Gospel Music?

Gospel music has been around since the early 1900s. The genre was originally developed as a way to spread Christian messages through song, but today it’s become much more than that.

There are four different genres of Gospel music, from contemporary to sequartet style, to  traditional gospel, to  modern gospel, and worship and worship. 

Here are details of the genres named above.

Contemporary Gospel Music
Contemporary Gospel Music

Modern/Contemporary Gospel Music:

The modern gospel also known as Contemporary Gospel is a modern, popular form among young people. Although not limited to black gospel music, this translation of the Bible hymns into modern is clever and very effective in attracting young people into the congregation. Contemporary Gospel music includes singers who perform with electronic instruments or choir support. When we are talking about a modern gospel, it is so popular in North America.

Quartet Style

Quartet Gospel Music

Women especially sing gospel music; however, quarter-style gospel music is sung by men. A quarter is a small number of male artists. The gospel style quartet is a very popular genre among all fans of gospel music, and while once unusual, it has now become a common feature in churches throughout the United States.

Traditional Gospel Music

Traditional Gospel Music

The traditional gospel is just as relevant today as it was a century ago. As mentioned earlier, it was developed by black people who belong to a church in the southern states of the United States of America. It is a unique species, unlike any other species. Traditional gospel music is very popular throughout the United States now and is the basis of the African American community and something associated with it all over the world.

Praise and Worship Gospel Music
Praise and Worship Gospel Music

Praise and Worship

Praise and worship are a combination of traditional gospel and modern gospel. The singer of praise and worship, which when he just sang contemporary gospel music, then sang alone, in front of a small choir or quartet. Worship and worship are very popular inside and outside the churches and can be heard offline or online. 

Therefore, The main difference between traditional and modern gospel styles is that although traditional gospel often includes the basic sound that should be sung by a choir, the modern gospel places great emphasis on individual artists. Many modern musicians do not usually sing with the choir. Praise and praise are a combination of both modern and traditional gospel styles, in that the praise leader has a small group of singers who help lead the church in singing gospel music.

why Gospel Music in essential in the life of People and Society
why Gospel Music in essential in the life of People and Society

Reason why Gospel Music in essential in the life of People and Society

Relax, Charge, and Refresh … With the Power of Gospel Music

For many people, listening to music, or any other form of music, is a daily activity. Gospel Song has a soothing and calming effect on the brain. Gospel music can boost your mood, and words have a way of developing your spirituality to the next level. When the limit of life touches you, gospel music can alleviate your problems and lower your stress levels. This is because gospel music acknowledges the frustrations of everyday life, and it provides an incentive to move forward.

Music softens the vicious beast – and nothing beats gospel music. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider extending your music restrictions to it.

Music that crosses the boundaries

1. Music that crosses the boundaries of Age and Generations

Gospel music is family-friendly, which means your children will not receive inappropriate messages or content. Composers of gospel music should create music that conforms to Christian standards and expectations. To protect your family and instill values ​​in your children, listening to gospel music at home plays an important role in teaching important lessons about morality and respect – and the same truths we all share as human beings.

Music that crosses the boundaries

2. Enrichment For Both Ear, Soul, Heart, and Mind

Listening to gospel music can not only entertain people but also be a source of enrichment. Gospel music often inspires and nourishes your soul at its core. This strengthens your faith and your spirituality, which provides a good foundation for your spiritual growth.

3. Music to Find Balance

Gospel music provides a way for people to maintain balance in their lives. Music allows people to strike a balance between their work, faith, family and daily life. Gospel music allows people to live in an equal space; the right song can bring a complete message that can help if things seem to be going wrong. Gospel music can also put you in the middle, allowing you to focus and move forward even when things seem bleak and hopeless. Do you want to take the rating seriously? Using an essential oil diffuser creates the right atmosphere and music – creating a powerful feeling.

4 Just Walking Close to the Lord

With regard to Christian music and any worship hymns, the lyrics and the message included can greatly assist in strengthening one’s faith in God. Gospel music allows you to feel connected to a higher power and can help you feel closer to Him and more devoted.

5. Keeping Music Alert

Gospel music reminds Christians of the world in which they live, helping to remind them of the supernatural. Music also helps Christians to know and to be closely associated with their spirituality.

This point will not be fully applied – regardless of your faith, there is always something you can learn about the faith of OTHERS. There is always something you can take away from listening to gospel music and the stories of people who write, sing, and live their art.

Comprehensive Impact of Gospel Music In Nigeria Today – An Overview

LaDaniele 2
LaDaniele 2

NaijaTrackz gathered from The Guardians News interview with one of Nigerian Talented Gospel Artists and Songwriters.  Leona – Daniels is a gospel singer and songwriter. In this interview with ADAMU ABUH, he shares gospel music’s impact in Nigeria.

The motion picture and music industry exceeded the 2020 gross income of $ 806 million, contributing approximately 730 billion naira ($ 1.8 billion) to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Success will not be limited to country music. Gospel music has also been instrumental in uplifting the world, creating jobs, entertaining people and spreading the message of truth and hope.

(Reference: https://guardian.ng/)

Summary

“Gospel music is an American Christian musical genre that originated in the early 20th century. It combines elements of gospel hymns, blues, jazz, soul, rhythm and blues, rock, country, folk, pop, R&B, and hip hop. Gospel singers often sing about spiritual themes and uplifting messages.

Gospel songs are typically sung in a slow tempo, although some artists such as Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston have recorded faster versions. Gospel music is generally considered to have originated in the late 19th century among African Americans in the southern United States, though there are also many white gospel musicians.

Gospel music became popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and was especially influential during the Great Depression. Gospel music experienced a revival in the 1960s, and continues to influence contemporary popular music.”

In Summary

“Gospel music began in the early 1900s as a form of black church music. It combined elements of gospel hymms, blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues. Gospel music is generally performed at a slower pace than most other genres of music. Gospel music is often used to express religious feelings and uplift the spirit. Gospel music has influenced other types of music, including rock and roll, soul, and rap.

Many famous gospel singers include Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson, Otis Redding, Shirley Caesar, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Brian McKnight, BeBe & Cece Winans, John Pizzarelli, Andrae Crouch, Michael McDonald, Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and many others.”

The article explains four different types of gospel music genres.

  • Contemporary gospel music
  • Quartet Gospel Music
  • Traditional Gospel Music
  • Praise & worship music

“Contemporary gospel is a form of contemporary Christian music that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The genre combines elements of traditional gospel music with rock, soul, funk, jazz, Latin, R&B, pop, hip hop, reggae, country, and folk music. Contemporary gospel artists often sing about social issues such as poverty, racism, and violence. Gospel music has also influenced many genres of popular music, including rap, urban contemporary gospel, alternative hip hop, and pop.”

Quartet Gospel music is a style of Christian music that originated in the Southern United States during the early 20th century. It is characterized by a slow tempo, simple harmonies, and lyrics about religious themes, such as salvation, redemption, peace, love, joy, and hope. Gospel songs are often sung by soloists accompanied by an instrumental ensemble, including piano, organ, guitar, bass, drums, strings, horns, and sometimes a trumpet or trombone.

Traditional gospel music is music written and performed by African Americans during the early 20th century. The term “gospel” comes from the name given to the songs sung by slaves in the southern United States. Gospel music is often characterized by its use of simple melodies, rhythmic choral singing, and strong vocal harmonies. The lyrics express themes such as hope, faith, love, joy, sorrow, and redemption. Traditional gospel artists include Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, James Cleveland, Albertina Walker, Clara Ward, and Thomas Dorsey.”

The term “praise & worship” refers to a style of Christian music that emphasizes praise, thanksgiving, confession, adoration, and supplication. Praise & Worship songs often start with an instrumental prelude, followed by vocal choruses, and then conclude with a crescendo of instruments and vocals. A key characteristic of praise & worship music is its use of a bass drum as a metronome.

On the essential of Gospel Music to the people, Gospel music is an important part of the gospel tradition. Through songs, hymns, and sermons, we celebrate God’s love and power. We also teach about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

NaijaTrackz || How to be a Gospel Singer

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