African American Spirituals Outline

Notes taken from Dr. Benita Wolters-Fredlunds Music History II PowerPoint Presentation on
American Vernacular Music at the turn of the 20th century
Slaves were forcibly brought to the United States from many parts of Africa, but especially
__________________. They were harshly __________________ from continuing African
religious and cultural practices (considered savage and heathen).
Many aspects of language and culture were difficult for slaves to hold on to, and owners
prevented them from doing so, but ____________________ was easier to preserve
Many African musical traits used in African-American music:
_______________ and _________________ format

_____________________

_____________________

Multiple layers of ________________

Repetition of short ___________________ or _______________________

____________________ of pitches or ___________________ between notes

___________________, __________________, and other vocalizations

Instruments like __________________, based on W. African string instruments.

Spiritual =
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Spirituals were the African-American form with the greatest impact in the 19th Century.
Texts: images/stories from _____________________, but often with _______________ or
____________________ meanings related to their own yearning for ______________________.
Layers of meaning both spiritual and political in the texts of spirituals:
1. Identification with ________________________________________________________
Where you there when they crucified my Lord?
Nobody Knows the Trouble Ive Seen

2. Imagining a _____________________________________________________________
E.g. Get on board little children
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
3. Looking for _____________________________________________________________
Go Down Moses -- let my people go!
Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho
Didnt My Lord Deliver Daniel?
Some believe that this song had political connotations re: the underground railway, while other
dispute this claim.
Fisk Jubilee Singers:
Bought ______________________ to the ___________________ in America and Europe
(1871 onwards).
Raised significant funds for their university (Nashville).
The first time that African Americans were able to perform
______________________________ on stage (rather than being lampooned with
blackface minstrelsy).
Spirituals Influence
Many stylistic elements of spirituals carried over into other musical genres:
Call and response format
o Blues: often repeats a line, then adds a new line. Or singer _____________ a line,
instruments ______________________ with a rift.
Improvisation
o Common in ______________________
Syncopation
o Especially prevalent in ____________________ of all kinds. Has also carried
over into _______________________________.
Multiple layers of rhythm
o Seen in ______________________, which later became the basis for jazz
Repetition of short rhythmic or melodic patterns
o In popular music terms, this could be a ________________ (instrumental) or a
___________________ (vocal).
Bending of pitches or sliding between notes
o Common in most types of _____________________, especially blues, jazz, and R
& B.
Moans, shouts, and other vocalizations
o Also commonly used in many types of popular music for ___________________.