Question

The all-male gospel quartet consisted of four or five singers who dressed in business suits, sang a capella in barbershop harmonizing style, and added percussive effects to their singing by snapping their fingers and slapping their thighs in the traditional _______ style.

1) gospel
2) barbershop
3) a capella
4) percussive

Answer 1

The quartet described performed in the traditional gospel style, characterized by a cappella singing and percussive effects, and is part of a broad African American musical heritage that includes lined-out hymns, influencing various American music genres.

Step-by-step explanation:

The all-male gospel quartet you described, which sang in a cappella barbershop style and incorporated percussive effects such as snapping fingers and slapping thighs, did so in the traditional gospel style. This style is deeply rooted in African American musical traditions, blending elements of West African spirituality, rhythms and melodies with Christian hymnody, particularly evident in the form of lined-out hymns or long meter hymns. These hymns, often called Dr. Watts after the hymn writer Isaac Watts, were usually performed a cappella, and are a major part of the rich cultural expression that led to the development of other American musical genres like blues, jazz, and even rock n' roll.