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​Cups are great musical instruments, assessable to anyone

What different sounds and noises can you make with the cups? How can you turn this noise into music. Creating repetitive rhythmic patterns perhaps.
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE CUPS...
You've come to the right place.
Take a look at this poster!
And learn the cups step by step by step playing along with Miss Ribbons.
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Lesson 1: How to Play the Cups
Click image to download the PDF
FIRST STEP
SECOND STEP
THIRD STEP
NEED SOME MORE INSPIRATION?
Check out the exciting videos below.
5 MUST SEE cup playing clips that will impress
People have been playing the cups for many years and the popular 'Cup Song' ideas originated in the 1930's. It was brought back to life in the movie 'Pitch Perfect'. 'Anna Kendrick - Cups - (Pitch Perfect "When I'm Gone"[Original Video] shows how the cups can be effortlessly played in a theatrical dining setting.
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Cups can be played solo, in pairs or in groups. This clip 'CUPS!! - Pitch Perfect - Sam Tsui, Alex G, Kina Grannis, Kurt Schneider', Kurt Hugo Schneider shows great teamwork and stunning harmonies as they recreate Pitch Perfect's 'When I'm Gone.'
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This version shows that people of all ages are capable of playing the cups and can play in a whole school action. This clip, 'Cup Song College Saint-Bernard - Drummondville', Domonic Boisclair also shows images of students playing other instruments to accompany the song. Are there any accompanying instruments you could play along with?
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'Cup Song - EXTEME EDITION', Paint models a remix of the Pitch Perfect 'When I'm Gone' song. It's great example of how the cup can make many different sounds. What technology could you use to capture and edit sounds when composing with the cups?
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Believe it or not these girls are all sisters. Are there people in your family you could play the cups with? In "Cups" from Pitch Perfect by Anna Kendrick - Cover by CIMORELLI you'll hear lovely harmonies while the youngest of the sisters skilfully play their cups.
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Lesson 2: Experiment with your own Actions and Rhythms
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So..you've mastered the 'Cup Song' rhythm?

Playing the cups does not end there! Now it's time to GET CREATIVE and compose your very own actions and rhythms.
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Main Task:
Use this sheet to write your own words, draw actions or write rhythm in the boxes.
Click image to download Cup Song Package Distance Ed FREEBIE
NEED SOME MORE INSPIRATION?
It's important to remember that you can play covers of many different songs, as well as create your own. In 'Royals - Cover By Sarah Stone (Cup Song Version)', Pompeii the singer creates her own rhythms to Lorde's 'Royals'. Something else that's useful to mention to students is that at the beginning Sarah shows her bloopers. It appears she made many mistakes. It's okay to make mistakes, just keep practising!!!
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Lesson 3: Cup Alteration - Design Your own Cup!
Listen...
Take a look at the clip,'Trouble (with Cups) - Taylor Swift - Kenzie Nimmo and Harris Heller', Kenzie Nimmo and answer the following questions...
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What sounds are these artists making with their cups and how?
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How have they altered their cup to make some new sounds?
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What different surfaces are they using to play their cups?
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Main Task:

Use some materials from home to alter your cup and make new sounds. There are multiple things you are free to do. For example, you could:
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Tape materials to it
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Cut parts off it
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Put something inside of it
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Play it on different surfaces
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Use another item to hit it
Describe how you altered the cup, what it sounded like and give your opinion about how much you like the sound.
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Lesson 4: Bring it all Together
So Far...
You've learnt the Cup Rhythm, explored your own rhythms and actions and designed your own cup, making various alterations.
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Main Task:

Now it's time to bring it all together and create your own ultimate Cup Song.
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Use the sheet to the right as a guide. And if you want to challenge yourself, come up with your own lyrics to sing over top.
Record and share with your teacher and peers!
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Lesson 5: Student Feedback
Listen...
Listen to your peer cups songs.
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Main Task:

Write the name of the Composer, and Song Title
Record the rhythms you hear.
Finally write a comment for your peer.
(Try to include both positive comments and a potential area of improvement)
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Message to Teachers
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Thank you for visiting
I hope you found this guide to playing the cups useful. I would love to hear any feedback in order to make improvements or to let me know what worked well.
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I created this page to help those who need to distance educate students in 2020. To support this I've made a FREEBIE 'Cup Song Package' Resource on TpT. Click here to download.
If you like my work and have any requests, contact me on ribbonsresources@gmail.com and I'll do my best to help! We are all in this together. Stay safe, and keep well!
Thanks,
Miss Ribbons
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