From the Church to the Charts: The Influence of Gospel Music

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The black church is a musical bootcamp. Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Anderson .Paak all found their start singing in the church. LA and Nahre travel to Chicago, the birthplace of gospel music. There they meet gospel artist, Donald Lawrence and LA introduces Nahre to drum shed culture at a shed session on the south side.

Later LA travels to Orlando to meet singer Tye Tribbett at his church. They talk about the shared exchange between secular and non secular music.

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[SoundFieldPBS]

This is the biggest episode we've done all year. LA pitched the idea when Sound Field started a year ago, and for the last 7 months we've been putting this episode together. Filmed in 3 cities with over 8 hours of footage. I can't wait to share this one with y'all and introduce you to the talented musicians of the black gospel church.

[iTzJakedood]

It’s because gospel music is heavily arranged. Having the opportunity to play it every Sunday will level up your chops real quick

[zildtinio]

Imagine if they also got Cory Henry here lol

[Azzamislegend]

As a black musician who didn’t grow up in the church I often get jealous when I meet back musicians who grew up in the church. Doesn’t matter how young they are playing decades ahead of what someone else is. It’s the fact that they not only play week in and week out but that it is a save space.

[furstnaymelassnaim]

I’m an intermediate gospel piano player. I play in a predominantly white church now. They’re blown away by the way I play, and ask me questions all the time...I’m like, “guys....this is basic stuff”. They send me a lot of “white” Christian music with redundant chord patterns. Very basic stuff and because of gospel music I’m able to play all kinds of variations and substitute chords to give it a fuller and more diverse sound. Thanks Gospel for keeping us all on our toes. Now if only we could get a gospel only section on all these streaming platforms...

[Malik-psxs]

The black church has produced the greatest artists of all time

[versatilethearcane]

Church is essentially a "concert" (of sorts) that you perform 52 times a year....there's no other place that you can play that often in front of an audience....that's why all the musicians and singers are so advanced in terms of chops, stage presence and crowd control compared to other genres

[Adrenalean]

We're skilled because we practice hard.no one is born like this

[enricodemeo]

A few things that I expected to hear to answer the question was, that gospel musicians have many things layed out to their advantage, contrary to the rest of the musical world: 1.the regularity of performing live. every Sunday you play in front of a congregation and you have to be on top of your game, otherwise someone else will play instead of you. BUT 2. it's not a hostile and competitive environment. Sure, you have to be good to play, but it's not about the money and it's not about which people you know and what education you have - it's inherent, that the whole environment is friendlier because of the religious background. 3. Learning to play these songs is more than playing just music - its an act of faith, almost like praying. An act of living out your religion and your belief - if you are a religious person, it comes much more naturally, that you spend much more time with music, because for you it is the same as spending time with God. The motivation is so much higher with this strong intent to put in the work and time and get really really good. All of these things combined lead to the fact that there are many unbelievably capable gospel musicians. Best example that you totally missed: Cory Henry!

[eleintblood]

LA, your passion and energy on this episode were really contagious. I also really loved Nahre's respectful approach to the musicians. You guys are awesome!

[drummer]

Early exposure, a “high bar” for quality in the community/mentors, constant rehearsal/shedding/performance, the fact that playing gospel music is “addictive” in a positive way and feels good, and possibly the internet

[DJC]

I've grown up in a Hispanic Pentecostal church which was a combination of Rock, CCM, Country, and Gospel. But I played in a black church back in 2008 for a few months and learned real quick how much I needed to catch up. No charts, just ear and feel. But the MD will guide you, not baby you, but guide you.

Played in a white church for a little while and found it to be too easy and forced. I appreciate the growth and challenge of the black gospel, but I thoroughly enjoy the variety in the Hispanic church.

[JrRimp]

I think it has a lot to the spontaneity of the black church. Singing and playing in church means you have to be ready for whatever. Nowadays church music has become so scheduled and formatted. However, back in the day you had to be prepared for anything. There was no sheet music, no song list, it was spontaneous. When you learn to adapt in that regard then you become extremely versatile.

[tonylancer]

This is one of the best episodes I've ever watched.
Gospel musicians are one of the most frightening bunch because their musicality and technical ability on instruments is insanity. You actually have to think twice to play, especially at crusades or events, because there are more than 10 musicians who play your instrument watching you. It honestly leaves something to aspire too, because they keep pushing the boundaries of music.


As a human being, I am grateful for gospel because man, where else would we get those 16th note triplet chops, ridiculous chord substitution and reharmonization and jaw-dropping solos.

[Lamo]

I grew up in church and the reason why they are talented is because the black church encourages participation. They allow musicians to make mistakes and its heavily improvised. Mix those elements w blues and jazz chord progressions and playing 6 services a week. Viola! You sir, have a world class musician.

[mizzbelle]

There’s something so special, and and natural about the black voice. It’s unparalleled. Raw, naturally flowing, powerful. So many aunties with powerhouse voices who are just born being able to sing like that and love sharing is with their community and family. There’s nothing else like it. ♥️ Loved this!

[JoshReels]

As a church musician, y’all made me proud with this video! Love the history, research, and clear care that went into this video. Mad props

[derekdauchan]

God given talent is given free reign to grow and develop in the Black Church.
If a child shows passion and gifting early on, it's usually acknowledged, encouraged, groomed and displayed in service of the Church. The Church has a musical community of singers, musicians and other creatives who learn from each other, sharing ideas and always pushing musical boundaries as well as themselves.

[quentinjohnson]

I play guitar and growing up in a traditional black church, we had service atleast 3-4 times a week. Sometimes we would have church all week (especially in the summer months). My brothers and I were the musicians in the church, so we were doing music all the time!

[jonnyroxx]

If all churches were like this, I’d never miss a Sunday.