Negro spiritual music is dated back in history, to the era of slavery in the United States. Men and women of African origin were shipped from their continent to foreign lands. They were taken in as slaves to labor on ranches, farms, factories and as workers in the houses of the hosts. The situation was new to them, and they were angry over this state of living they were introduced to.
This kind of music can be described using a number of characteristics. They were considered to be very religious. Most of them came to the continent practicing different forms of religions. Upon arrival they got introduced to Christianity. Some embraced it out of will, others without choice. The messages in their songs were based on the teachings from this religion, in relation to their state.
Another aspect used to differentiate songs is the themes put across. Melodies are sung as an expression of daily feelings. These people were enslaved without will; consequently it came by no surprise that they constantly felt the need to sing about freedom from oppression. The songs provided an avenue for them to express these themes.
These compositions were also distinguished by the energy of performance. There was a lot of activity and vigor when performing. The men and women would sing, shout, make noises, clap hard and even jump around when singing. All these were done without any form of specific order. People thought of them as being possessed when performing the songs.
Rhythm and tempo are also major characteristics in defining any kind of music. This type was defined by both slow and fast tempos. Each kind expressed a different kind of mood. The somber songs were an expression of their hurt, desolation, bitterness and misery. They were very emotional and even brought them to tears as they sang. The fast beat songs were mainly for entertaining them at work.
The kind of words used in the song also portrayed heavy emotions. The words of the melody were in a way expressing their state in open or in disguise. They composed songs sometimes mocking their state. The shouts and laughter in their songs also ran deep, having that they covered their internal misery.
They also hummed these songs as a way to kill time. All the work and daily routine would get them tired and bored. Having that they were restricted to their work areas, they lacked sources of entertainment. These songs provided an avenue to kill the boredom.
As opposed to being structured, these songs were spontaneous. They were done without any musical instruments. A song would be written by several people at times. One person would start a line and another individual would bring in their own. The clapping and shouting also came in without a specified order. This would happen until a song is deemed complete.
The end of slavery was a very important era in history. The slaves were freed and given equal rights as other citizens. Although slavery came to an end the music still lives on. It lives on in other forms, which have built up on the Negro spiritual music like gospel, hip hop, jazz and blues.
This kind of music can be described using a number of characteristics. They were considered to be very religious. Most of them came to the continent practicing different forms of religions. Upon arrival they got introduced to Christianity. Some embraced it out of will, others without choice. The messages in their songs were based on the teachings from this religion, in relation to their state.
Another aspect used to differentiate songs is the themes put across. Melodies are sung as an expression of daily feelings. These people were enslaved without will; consequently it came by no surprise that they constantly felt the need to sing about freedom from oppression. The songs provided an avenue for them to express these themes.
These compositions were also distinguished by the energy of performance. There was a lot of activity and vigor when performing. The men and women would sing, shout, make noises, clap hard and even jump around when singing. All these were done without any form of specific order. People thought of them as being possessed when performing the songs.
Rhythm and tempo are also major characteristics in defining any kind of music. This type was defined by both slow and fast tempos. Each kind expressed a different kind of mood. The somber songs were an expression of their hurt, desolation, bitterness and misery. They were very emotional and even brought them to tears as they sang. The fast beat songs were mainly for entertaining them at work.
The kind of words used in the song also portrayed heavy emotions. The words of the melody were in a way expressing their state in open or in disguise. They composed songs sometimes mocking their state. The shouts and laughter in their songs also ran deep, having that they covered their internal misery.
They also hummed these songs as a way to kill time. All the work and daily routine would get them tired and bored. Having that they were restricted to their work areas, they lacked sources of entertainment. These songs provided an avenue to kill the boredom.
As opposed to being structured, these songs were spontaneous. They were done without any musical instruments. A song would be written by several people at times. One person would start a line and another individual would bring in their own. The clapping and shouting also came in without a specified order. This would happen until a song is deemed complete.
The end of slavery was a very important era in history. The slaves were freed and given equal rights as other citizens. Although slavery came to an end the music still lives on. It lives on in other forms, which have built up on the Negro spiritual music like gospel, hip hop, jazz and blues.
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