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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Entertainment

Take the Gospel Music Trivia Quiz

Challenge Your Gospel Song Knowledge Here

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements of gospel music for a trivia quiz.

Ready to dive into gospel music history? This free gospel music quiz offers a fun way to explore iconic hymns, legendary artists, and the roots of soulful worship songs. Ideal for music lovers, students, and educators seeking a gospel music trivia challenge, you'll discover how much you know and where you might learn more. Plus, every question is fully editable in the quiz builder - make it yours! Don't miss our Music Trivia Quiz or expand your skills with the Music Knowledge Quiz, and check out all our quizzes for more tests.

What is gospel music primarily characterized by?
Secular themes about everyday life
Strictly orchestral arrangements
Spiritual lyrics praising God
Instrumental focus without vocals
Gospel music is defined by its spiritual and religious lyrics that focus on praise and worship. Instrumental or secular themes do not align with the core purpose of gospel music. Orchestral arrangements alone do not capture the vocal emphasis central to the genre.
Which city is often credited as the birthplace of modern gospel music?
Detroit
Chicago
New Orleans
New York
Chicago became a key center for gospel music in the early 20th century, notably through figures like Thomas A. Dorsey. While other cities contributed to gospel and blues, Chicago's church scene fostered the modern gospel style. New Orleans, Detroit, and New York were more known for other genres at that time.
Who is widely regarded as the "Father of Gospel Music"?
Andraé Crouch
James Cleveland
Thomas A. Dorsey
Mahalia Jackson
Thomas A. Dorsey combined blues and sacred hymns to create modern gospel in the 1930s, earning him the title 'Father of Gospel Music.' Mahalia Jackson and James Cleveland were major performers but came later. Andraé Crouch contributed to contemporary gospel in the 1970s.
Which traditional African American spiritual is considered a predecessor to gospel music?
Amazing Grace
This Little Light of Mine
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Wade in the Water
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" predates organized gospel and influenced its call-and-response style and spiritual themes. "Amazing Grace" and "Wade in the Water" are key spirituals but gained prominence later. "This Little Light of Mine" emerged during the gospel era itself.
In gospel music, what term describes the musical style where a leader sings a line and the choir responds?
Call and response
Canon
Harmony
Polyphony
Call and response is a hallmark of gospel, rooted in African musical traditions where a leader's phrases are answered by a group. Harmony, polyphony, and canon describe other musical interactions but do not specifically refer to this leader-choir exchange.
In which year did Thomas A. Dorsey compose "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"?
1932
1925
1941
1950
Thomas A. Dorsey wrote "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" in 1932 following personal tragedy. The song became an enduring gospel standard. Earlier and later dates do not match historical records of its composition.
Which gospel singer is known as the "Queen of Gospel"?
Shirley Caesar
Clara Ward
Mahalia Jackson
Aretha Franklin
Mahalia Jackson earned the title "Queen of Gospel" for her powerful contralto voice and influential recordings. Aretha Franklin crossed over into soul, while Clara Ward and Shirley Caesar are important but not universally labeled as queen.
The Edwin Hawkins Singers are best known for introducing which contemporary instrument into gospel recordings?
Electric guitar
Saxophone
Steel drums
Synthesizer
The Edwin Hawkins Singers popularized the electric guitar in gospel music with their 1969 hit "Oh Happy Day." Saxophones and synthesizers appeared later, and steel drums are not characteristic of mainstream gospel recordings.
Which record label was one of the first to specialize in gospel music in the 1940s and 1950s?
Motown
Atlantic Records
Savoy Records
Chess Records
Savoy Records, founded in 1942, was a pioneer in producing and distributing gospel music. Motown and Atlantic focused on soul and R&B, while Chess was primarily a blues label. Savoy's catalog featured many leading gospel artists of the era.
What major social movement was heavily supported by gospel music through its songs and choirs?
Civil Rights Movement
Prohibition
Women's Suffrage
Labor Union Movement
Gospel music provided anthems and emotional support for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. It energized marches and gatherings, unlike the other listed movements that relied on different musical traditions.
Which lyrical theme is most commonly found in classic gospel songs?
Abstract instrumentation
Romantic love
Redemption and hope
Science fiction narratives
Redemption and hope are central themes in classic gospel music, reflecting spiritual deliverance. Romantic love and science fiction are not typical gospel topics, nor is abstract instrumentation the focus of lyrical content.
In lyric analysis, the repeated phrase "It shall be well with my soul" primarily conveys which emotion?
Assurance
Fear
Anger
Surprise
The phrase expresses deep assurance and trust in spiritual wellbeing. It reassures believers of eventual peace. Fear, surprise, and anger are not conveyed by this affirmative statement.
In gospel choir formations, what does the term "bass line" refer to?
A type of drum pattern
The tempo of the song
The lead melody
The lowest vocal part providing harmonic foundation
The bass line in gospel choirs is sung by the lowest voices and underpins the harmony. It is not the tempo, lead melody, or a drum pattern, though drums may complement it.
Which technique often used in gospel piano accompaniment emphasizes syncopation and off-beat accents?
Aria style
Waltz rhythm
Stride piano style
Tango rhythm
Stride piano, with its alternating bass notes and chords, creates a syncopated, lively feel common in gospel. Waltz and tango rhythms have different time signatures, and aria style refers to operatic solos.
Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" shows strong influences from which genre rooted in gospel traditions?
Country
Soul
Funk
Jazz
"A Change Is Gonna Come" blends gospel's emotional intensity with secular soul music structure. While jazz, country, and funk have intersected with gospel, this song is most directly tied to the early soul genre.
Which compositional technique in gospel music involves multiple independent melodic lines sung simultaneously?
Polyphony
Heterophony
Monophony
Homophony
Polyphony features two or more independent melodies performed together, creating rich counterpoint often heard in advanced gospel arrangements. Monophony is a single melody, homophony is melody with chordal harmony, and heterophony is variation of a single melody.
Which factor was most significant in spreading gospel music internationally in the mid-20th century?
Private gatherings
Radio broadcasts
Sheet music publishing
Live church tours
Radio broadcasts in the 1940s and 1950s brought gospel music to global audiences beyond church walls. While tours and sheet music helped regionally, few private gatherings reached the same scale of influence.
The term "gospel chord progression" often refers to which sequence of chords commonly used in gospel music?
ii-V-I-IV
IV-V-vi-I
I-IV-V-I
I-vi-IV-V
The I-vi-IV-V progression is a staple in gospel for its emotional movement and resolution. Other progressions are used but do not capture the classic gospel sound as distinctly as I-vi-IV-V.
In evaluating cultural impact, gospel music's integration into mainstream popular music led most directly to the development of which genre?
Techno
Heavy metal
R&B
Reggae
Gospel's vocal style, harmonies, and emotional delivery heavily influenced R&B in the 1950s and 1960s. Heavy metal, reggae, and techno evolved from other musical and cultural traditions.
Which lyric from the Negro spiritual "Down By the Riverside" exemplifies themes of peace and reconciliation?
"Glory, glory, hallelujah"
"Go down, Moses"
"Swing low, sweet chariot"
"I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield"
"I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield" directly speaks to laying aside conflict and embracing peace. The other lines are iconic spiritual phrases but do not convey reconciliation in the same way.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key milestones in gospel music history
  2. Analyse lyrical themes in classic gospel songs
  3. Recognise influential gospel artists and contributions
  4. Evaluate the cultural impact of gospel music
  5. Demonstrate understanding of gospel music terminology

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of Gospel Music - Dive into African American spirituals and work songs to see how they sowed the seeds for gospel's soulful spirit and powerful call-and-response style. These early melodies laid the foundation for a genre that celebrates faith, community, and joy. Read about its roots on Wikipedia
  2. Thomas A. Dorsey's Legacy - Known as the "Father of Gospel Music," Thomas A. Dorsey masterfully blended blues rhythms with religious lyrics to forge modern gospel's signature sound. His pioneering songs opened the door for worship music to thrive beyond church walls. Discover Dorsey's story on Time
  3. Sister Rosetta Tharpe's Innovations - Sister Rosetta Tharpe stunned audiences with electrifying guitar riffs and charismatic performances, bridging gospel and early rock 'n' roll long before it was cool. Her trailblazing style influenced countless artists who followed. Explore her impact on Wikipedia
  4. Lyrical Themes in Gospel Songs - Gospel lyrics brim with messages of hope, faith, and resilience that resonate across generations. Analyzing these themes reveals how music can uplift spirits and offer comfort during life's toughest moments. Dive into classic themes on Wikipedia
  5. Gospel & the Civil Rights Movement - Gospel songs became anthems for social change, weaving unity and justice into the soundtrack of the civil rights era. These stirring hymns energized protesters and showcased music's power to unite. See how music fueled a movement on Time
  6. Shirley Caesar's Influence - Crowned the "First Lady of Gospel Music," Shirley Caesar's soaring vocals and dynamic stage presence have inspired fans for decades. Her extensive catalog highlights gospel's evolution and enduring message. Learn about Shirley Caesar on Wikipedia
  7. The Power of Gospel Choirs - Gospel choirs transform individual voices into a thrilling sea of harmony, embodying the communal spirit of the genre. Their call-and-response patterns and rich arrangements are gospel's beating heart. Unpack choir dynamics on Wikipedia
  8. Contemporary Gospel Styles - Today's gospel artists mix traditional hymns with R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and pop to keep the genre fresh and exciting. Icons like Yolanda Adams demonstrate how modern influences can breathe new life into timeless messages. Catch up on modern sounds on Wikipedia
  9. Key Gospel Music Terminology - Understanding terms like "call and response," "melisma," and "shout" unlocks deeper appreciation for gospel's expressive style and energetic performances. These concepts are the secrets behind gospel's emotional punch. Master the lingo on Wikipedia
  10. Cultural Impact of Gospel Music - Gospel has left its mark on soul, R&B, rock, and pop, while powerfully voicing the African American experience. Its legacy continues to inspire artists and audiences around the globe. Trace its influence on Wikipedia
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