Parle Mag
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Diddy Trial
  • Lifestyle
  • Interviews
  • Contact Us
  • Team Parlé
  • Podcast
  • Advertising
Facebook 0 Likes
Twitter 0 Followers
Instagram 0 Followers
Pinterest 0 Followers
LinkedIn 0
Reddit 0 Subscribers
TikTok 0
0
0
0
0
0
Parle Mag
Subscribe
Parle Mag
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Books
    • Celebrity
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Sports
    • Television News
  • Diddy Trial
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Business
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Op-Ed
    • Politics
    • Relationships
    • Travel
  • Interviews
Featured Categories
black countries
About Parlé
4 Posts
View Posts
Taye Diggs reads a book in an episode of private practice.
About Parle Magazine
4 Posts
View Posts
About the Editor
3 Posts
View Posts
Ad Test
1 Posts
View Posts
Posts
  • Finances When Starting a Business 1
    How to Stay on Top of Your Finances When Starting a Business
    • October 9, 2025
  • Starting Your Own Online Radio Station 2
    Starting Your Own Online Radio Station: A Step-by-Step Guide
    • October 8, 2025
  • Health and Wellness Goals 3
    Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals
    • October 6, 2025
  • Finances When Starting a Business

    How to Stay on Top of Your Finances When Starting a Business

    • October 9, 2025
    View Post
  • Starting Your Own Online Radio Station

    Starting Your Own Online Radio Station: A Step-by-Step Guide

    • October 8, 2025
    View Post
  • Health and Wellness Goals

    Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals

    • October 6, 2025
    View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Op-Ed
  • Travel

A Day Trip to Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music

  • November 24, 2024
  • Tomeka Allgood
National Museum of African American Music lobby
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Located in the heart of Downtown Nashville at 510 Broadway Avenue, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is literally and figuratively in the center of Music City, USA. If you are a music fan, this place should be on your to-visit list. The museum opened in 2021 and is dedicated to telling the history of music from its African origins to today’s Hip-Hop. 

There are more than 50 music genres and sub-genres created or inspired by African Americans. Each exhibit tells a different story on how the roots that were planted in Africa have come to spread across the world. The slave trade was abolished in the early 1800s and musical instruments and music created over 200 years ago still exist today. Some of those instrument artifacts are on display at the museum. This makes it as much a history museum as it is a music museum.  

The Exhibits

Advertisement

Each exhibit is based on chronological order starting with the first Africans being brought over to America. Because this is a self-directed tour, it takes each visitor at their own pace through gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and finally Hip-Hop. The number of displays and opportunities to learn more about music is daunting. It could take more than one visit to really take it all in.

Wade in The Water

Gospel music has played a pivotal role in the African American experience that it is only fitting that it is the first exhibit. The must-see display is the old school church pews with stain glass windows. It gives the visitors the opportunity to sit down on the pew and imagine what it felt like to sit in an old school church house in the south.  

Advertisement

Crossroads

There are artifacts on display in this exhibit from the late 1800s and post-slavery era. Visitors can try to see how it would have been like to play the Diddley Bow. It is a handmade instrument which was inspired by African craftmanship. According to the museum’s display, many bules musicians played the diddley bow as their first instrument during this period. 

National Museum of African American Music Love Supreme exhibit

Advertisement

A Love Supreme

The must-see display in this jazz exhibit is everything. Museum employee Byron Harvey said that this is one of his favorites. He said the artifacts and history of music contained there are what makes it one of his favorites. A few recognizable names in the world with displays with personal artifacts are Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and Louie Armstrong.  

One Nation Under A Groove

Advertisement

The Originals and Covers display show four examples of songs that were originally recorded by black artist, then covered by white artist. This was something that was commonplace.  According to this display in 1950s mainstream radio would not play the original but would play the cover. 

The Message 

The Hip Hop display that must be watched from beginning to end is the mini video at the start of the exhibit. This music has been long misunderstood and to understand the importance and evolution is part of the African American music journey. 

Advertisement

The Interactive Experiences

The Wristband

The first interactive opportunity comes with being instructed on how your wristband is not just a wristband. It is linked to the email address that you provided when you purchased the tickets and confirmed in the lobby before your tour started. As you walk through the museum, you can save songs to your wristband. That way you can make your own playlist when you get back home. Whatever you save on your wristband will be available for you for up to 60 days after your visit. 

Advertisement

Dance Party

Dance to songs from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The last song gives you the chance to record and save it to your wristband. You can then see it and save it when you get home. It will be sent via email when ready for you to view. 

Hip Hop Recording Studio

Advertisement

Another chance visitors can test their skill is by creating their own Hip-Hop beat. They also have a chance to rap over a beat in a recording booth like a real artist.  

National Museum of African American Music exhibits

Roots & Streams Playlist

Advertisement

There are several opportunities to create personal playlists using the Roots & Streams kiosk. It allows visitors the chance to discover artists and their music through connections with another artist that you may not know. What you will quickly come to realize is that all musicians are influenced by each other in some shape form or fashion. This interactive activity could take an hour by itself if you are a true music lover. It is like creating a family tree, but with music artist instead of family members. The fun part is that you can save the music to your wristband and create a Spotify playlist.

If you go…

The estimated tour time is 90 minutes, but guests are encouraged to take as much time as they need. NMAAM is open from 10:00AM to 5:00PM Tuesday-Saturday and 12:00PM to 5:00PM Sunday and Monday. The gift shop is open seven days a week. There is public parking conveniently available in 6th and Broadway garage which is located directly behind the museum.   

Advertisement

It is highly recommended to purchase your tickets online in advance. It is important to get there ahead of your purchased time so you can get your wristband and enjoy some of the music in the lobby. Tours start every half hour, so be sure to give yourself time, to avoid waiting until the next group. The tours are self-directed, and the museum utilizes timed tickets to manage capacity. This ensures each visitor has an opportunity to get the full experience without overcrowding. The best advice is to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. If you are driving, add 15 minutes to that time so you have adequate time to park. Parking in Nashville is not the best so it is not unusual to park and must walk 10 minutes to get to your destination.

The museum does not have a restaurant or serve food. That is not a problem because the museum is located near several restaurants that are within walking distance. NMAAM is family friendly and open to all ages. It is one of the few places in the area that has something for everyone. 

Images courtesy of National Museum of African American Music

Advertisement

Readers May Also Like:

Beef Jerky and Keto DietBeef Jerky and Keto Diet: A Perfect Low-Carb Snack
Strategies Musicians Should KnowHow Do You Grow Beyond Your Genre? Strategies Every Musician Should Know

Tips For Building A Nonprofit Organization5 Tips For Building A Nonprofit Organization

Advertisement

Couples Counseling or TherapyHow Do I Convince My Partner To Go To Couples Counseling Or Therapy?

Romantic Evening IdeasReignite the Spark Back Into Your Marriage: 3 Romantic Evening Ideas


Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • museum
  • Nashville
  • Tennessee
  • travel
Tomeka Allgood

Tomeka Allgood is a freelance travel writer and travel blogger based in Nashville, Tennessee. She writes on a broad range of topics that includes but is not limited to: art, history, culture, travel, music, food and wine. She specializes in places and attractions that relate to African American heritage and history.

Previous Article
Kendrick Lamar GNX album reactions
  • Entertainment News
  • Music

Hip-Hop Fans React To Surprise Kendrick Lamar Album, ‘GNX’

  • November 22, 2024
  • Jay Jerome
View Post
Next Article
Millennium Tour 2025
  • Entertainment News

Millennium Tour 2025 To Hit 24 Cities, Headlined By Boy Wow, Omarion & Trey Songz

  • November 24, 2024
  • Katrina Rodriguez
View Post
You May Also Like
Finances When Starting a Business
View Post
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Uncategorized

How to Stay on Top of Your Finances When Starting a Business

  • Kevin Benoit
  • October 9, 2025
Starting Your Own Online Radio Station
View Post
  • Business
  • Lifestyle

Starting Your Own Online Radio Station: A Step-by-Step Guide

  • Kevin Benoit
  • October 8, 2025
Health and Wellness Goals
View Post
  • Health
  • Lifestyle

Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals

  • Kevin Benoit
  • October 6, 2025
Social Media Reacts to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Announcement
View Post
  • Celebrity
  • Entertainment News
  • Home Page
  • Lifestyle
  • Shows

Social Media Reacts to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Announcement

  • Obiorah Precious
  • September 29, 2025
The Ultimate Online Dating Safety Tips and Advice for Beginners
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships

The Ultimate Online Dating Safety Tips and Advice for Beginners

  • Obiorah Precious
  • September 24, 2025
The Most Liked Celebrity Couples in the US on Instagram
View Post
  • Celebrity
  • Entertainment News
  • Home Page
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships

The Most Liked Celebrity Couples in the US on Instagram

  • Obiorah Precious
  • September 23, 2025
Adipotide
View Post
  • Health
  • Lifestyle

Research Horizons of Adipotide (FTPP) Peptide in Metabolic and Oncological Domains

  • Team Parle
  • September 22, 2025
woman holding gold playing cards
View Post
  • Lifestyle
  • Op-Ed

Mystery Bounty Explained for Culture Readers

  • Team Parle
  • September 22, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts
  • Brian Thomas Jr. NFL
    From LSU Star to Jaguars Pro: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Journey To The NFL
    • October 4, 2025
  • Diddy sentencing
    The Aftermath of Power: Diddy Sentencing and Its Implications
    • October 4, 2025
  • 20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge
    20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge
    • October 3, 2025
Categories
Entertainment News
5773 Posts
View Posts
Interviews
868 Posts
View Posts
Lifestyle
2770 Posts
View Posts
Featured Posts
  • Finances When Starting a Business 1
    How to Stay on Top of Your Finances When Starting a Business
    • October 9, 2025
  • Starting Your Own Online Radio Station 2
    Starting Your Own Online Radio Station: A Step-by-Step Guide
    • October 8, 2025
  • Health and Wellness Goals 3
    Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals
    • October 6, 2025
  • Brian Thomas Jr. NFL 4
    From LSU Star to Jaguars Pro: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Journey To The NFL
    • October 4, 2025
  • Diddy sentencing 5
    The Aftermath of Power: Diddy Sentencing and Its Implications
    • October 4, 2025

RSS Parle Mag

  • How to Stay on Top of Your Finances When Starting a Business
  • Starting Your Own Online Radio Station: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals
  • From LSU Star to Jaguars Pro: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Journey To The NFL
  • The Aftermath of Power: Diddy Sentencing and Its Implications
Parle Mag
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Team Parlé
  • Podcast
  • Advertising
  • Parle Endeavors
  • Parle New York
  • Privacy Policy
parlemag.com - The Voice of The Culture

Input your search keywords and press Enter.