West African Music

Song Focus: “Tue, Tue” (A Song

from Ghana)
Summary:
Children will learn an African song and circle game and add accompanying
instruments.

Time Frame:
3 class periods of 50 minutes each

Skills:
Sing from memory a varied repertoire of songs representing genres and styles
from diverse cultures. Perform expressively a varied repertoire of music
representing genres and cultures.

Materials: Collection of appropriate instruments, recording or song “Tue, Tue”,

Projector, Computer, Video lesson for “Tue, Tue”.

Background for Teachers:

Teachers need to be familiar cultural connections between Ghana and the
USA. Historical context of African music. Orff instrumentation and non-
pitched percussion.

Student Prior Knowledge:

Students must have:
Experience performing the steady beat and performing different rhythm
patterns. Experience with body percussion and non-pitched percussion.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Objectives:
Students will demonstrate call and response by singing the African folk song
“Tue, Tue” with accuracy.

Students will respond to the steady beat by playing the circle game for “Tue,
Tue” accurately.

Students will perform rhythms on African and Orff instruments to accompany

the song “Tue, Tue” by using proper playing technique.

Students will make connections between African culture and American culture
by researching the cultural significance and lyrics of the song “Tue, Tue”.

Instructional Procedures
1. Introduce the song: “Tue, Tue”:
Share correct pronunciation of lyrics Discuss call and response Introduce/teach
circle game Play/Perform circle game and song.

2. Explore rhythm patterns for accompaniment:

Read rhythms Review correct playing techniques for instruments Perform
rhythm pattern on instruments accurately Accompany circle game/song.

3. Introduce video performances of the song “Tue, Tue” by Ghanaian musicians

Discuss cultural significance of song/game.

4. Research American folk songs and games Select a song/game to share/teach to

tellecollaborative group in West Africa.