Spirituals: Spirituals are religious songs that were sung by enslaved people in the United States. Spirituals often expressed the hopes and dreams of enslaved people, and they were often used as a form of resistance. Spirituals are thought to be one of the earliest forms of blues music.
Work songs: Work songs were songs that were sung by enslaved people while they were working. Work songs often helped to make the work more bearable, and they also served as a form of communication between enslaved people. Work songs are thought to be another early form of blues music.
Ragtime: Ragtime is a musical genre that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ragtime is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and its use of the piano. Ragtime is thought to be a precursor to the blues, and it helped to popularize African-American music in the United States.