Gospel choirs: how do they get that sound?

[orlandopiano]

I heard a great Gospel choir earlier tonight and I've always wondered what it is that produces that distinct gospel sound. Are some of the singers just shouting while others are singing on pitch? It does sound like there's some harmony going on, but there's also a lot of out of tune singing and pitch-less shouting. Anyone know much about this?

[pianistimo]

since you called it a 'great gospel choir' - i would say that they probably weren't out of tune as much as speak-singing.  sometimes each soloist takes a turn changing things slightly or adding a bit of improvisation while the back up singers keep the song flowing.

i'm no expert - as i'm more of a sightreader and not an improviser - but the gospel choir i briefly accompanied a few years back was quite good - and learned most of the music by rote.  that is like a classical pianist taking a new piece and memorizing it as he/she practices. 

i think the sound is great because they listen to each other and try to blend as much as possible.  it's not just the words that they are listening to, but the blend and the energy level (quite incredible sometimes), the rhythm intricacies, and the general flow.  gospel music can be fun.  i have an incredible 'battle hymn of the republic' version that goes into 5-6 keys and sometimes sounds a lot like charles ives in the really great harmonies.  maybe half of a good gospel choir is a song leader that chooses cool music - or writes some of their own.

[silvaone]

perhaps they are singing ocataves in their own natural range.......

or perhaps the conductor (is it a conductor for an choir) says right

left section C - middle section E and right section G ? etc.

I got some great gospel stuff with ray charles..... one white guy in the whole choir, wonder how good he is at soloing....

one guy from the choir does a solo song..... very nice voice... so lucky

- Silva