Hymns and sacred songs were often performed in a call and response fashion, heavily influenced by ancestral African music. Most of the churches relied on hand–clapping and foot–stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Most of the singing was done a cappella.Jackson, Joyce Marie. "The changing nature of gospel music: A southern case study." African American Review 29.2 (1995): 185. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. October 5, 2010. The first published use of the term "gospel song" appeared in 1874.
hymns and sacred songs were often performed in a call and response fashion heavily influenced by ancestral african music most of the churches relied on hand–clapping and foot–stomping as rhythmic accompaniment most of the singing was done a cappellajackson joyce marie "the changing nature of gospel music a southern case study" african american review 292 (1995) 185 academic search premier ebsco web october 5 2010 the first published use of the term "gospel song" appeared in 1874