Listen To Gospel Music With Your Heart And Soul
One does not just listen to gospel music. You have to be up clapping your hands, dancing in the church aisles and shouting for joy as you sing along. If you aren't doing all of the above some people think you aren't really praying. Started by Africans forced into slavery, music and dancing were ways to pass along their tribal culture from generation to generation. The first published song was not until 1874 with "Gospel Songs" by Philip Bliss, so until this time all gospel music was learned by listening.
Gospel music came out of the fields and into churches during the nineteenth century. It gained popularity stemming from the tradition of ministers improvising during a sermon and the call and response dialogue that took place between the speaker and his audience. This led to shouts of praise and much singing and dancing.
Today gospel music can be heard just about anywhere. There are numerous radio stations that only play gospel and there is enough recorded music to fill a stadium. One could attend any concert throughout the U.S. every day of the week, and there are even cable television stations that only show gospel music being performed. You can buy CDs in stores or order them off the Internet. Many online ordering sites allow you to download and listen to an audio clip so you can be sure you will like the music before you buy it. If you own an iPod you can download thousands of songs and listen to gospel music whenever you have the chance. Or wherever you have access to a computer you can click on a gospel song and listen to it while doing your work.
In addition to listening to a huge number of gospel songs, you can hear interviews with gospel singers, read reviews of albums, exchange ideas with other musicians and get hints on recording your own music.
So the next time you have a quiet moment, put on some Sam Cooke music or groove to the acrobatic vocals of Kirk Franklin. When you listen to gospel music you hear the messages from all the previous generations who suffered but found comfort in their faith. You will be inspired to become a better person and to realize what is really important in daily life.