Final answer:
The melody in the spiritual song 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' is based on a pentatonic scale, reflecting the influence of African musical traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of scale heard in the melody of the spiritual song 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' is a pentatonic scale.
The spirituals were strongly influenced by the music of West Africa, and the use of the pentatonic scale is one of the ways in which African American spiritual songs reflect their African roots. The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that is commonly used in many African musical traditions. It is characterized by its lack of half-step intervals, which gives it a unique sound.
In the excerpt you mentioned, the melody of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' likely features the pentatonic scale, which is often used in spirituals to evoke emotions and convey a sense of longing or sorrow.