Teach the Beat!

Bringing the distinctive D.C. sound of go-go into the classroom.

Teaching for Change is honored to work with D.C.  area schools and the authors of The Beat! Go-Go Music from Washington, D.C. to develop lessons and share teaching ideas for infusing the history and music of go-go in middle and high school social studies, language arts, math, music, and/or D.C. history classes, and to bring renowned go-go performers into D.C. classrooms.

"Go-go has stayed true to time-honored cultural scripts such as live call-and-response, live instrumentation, as well as its locally rooted fashions, slang, dance, distribution and economic systems. Simply put: Go-Go never sold out. There is a grit and texture to the music that gives voice to the communities where it was created." –Natalie Hopkinson

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February 7: Learning about the Go-Go Pocket Beat vs Bounce Beat at Moten ES

February 07, 2020  /  Mykella Palmer

By Allyson Criner Brown

On Friday, February 7, 2020, fourth and fifth graders at Moten ES (DCPS) in Southeast D.C. participated in a mini “battle of the bands” as part of a Teach the Beat visit with legendary go-go musician and percussionist William “Ju Ju” House. Teaching for Change coordinated the visit with Moten ES music teacher Allyson Chamberlaine as part of the 2020 Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action.

In “crews” of four to five, students each picked up an instrument from Ju Ju’s percussion section of cowbells and several types of drums. Each crew got the chance to practice a go-go pocket (aka beat) and then perform for the class.

Then as a whole class, with drumsticks in each hand, Ju Ju taught the students to tap out a go-go “pocket beat” and a “bounce beat” that is popular among younger go-go performers and listeners.

Go-Go at Moten ES

Ju Ju ended the visit by doing a call and response with students of classic go-go lyrics, including key lines from Chuck Brown hits “Bustin’ Loose” and “I Need Money.”

Special thanks to the Horning Family Fund whose generous donation for the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action made this visit possible.

categories / 2020
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