Their motto is “One Nation Under A Groove” — which is also the title of a classic funk song by George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic, urging everyone to “get down.”
With that in mind, it’s not surprising to learn that when you visit the upcoming National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, you’ll have opportunities to make some music and moves of your own.
During its latest virtual “Town Hall” meeting for supporters, the museum previewed the interactive spaces that will be found throughout its five permanent galleries, dedicated to gospel, blues, jazz, R&B and hip-hop.
Guests will be able to virtually join a gospel choir led by Nashville’s own Dr. Bobby Jones, and sing along to “Oh Happy Day.” They’ll can get behind the mixing boards of an R&B song, and learn what producing giant they’re most like.
There will be opportunities to construct your own blues song, and to learn how to improvise musically to grasp “the full freedom of expression that jazz instrumentalists achieve,” said Dr. Dina Bennett, the museum’s curatorial director.
The museum’s largest gallery — also named “One Nation Under A Groove” — even includes an interactive dance floor, where tech will track visitors’ movements as they try to mimic famous steps.
The hip-hop gallery “The Message” includes a recording booth and microphone where you’ll be able to record your own freestyle, or have a rap battle with friends and family.
The National Museum of African American Music plans to open this fall at the corner of 5th Ave. N. and Broadway. To learn more, visit www.blackmusicmuseum.org