Let’s Have Fun, Fun, Fun A Body Percussion Extravaganza for Upper Grades Suggested Grades: 4-5, 6-8 Author Name: Kaselyn Gibbs

Suggested Teaching Process: Begin by presenting information on Pharrell Williams and the producing duo he is a part of, The Neptunes. Biographies on this performer and The Neptunes are available here:

• https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pharrell-williams-mn0000275757/biography • https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-neptunes-mn0000401903/biography

Key topics to include:

• Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo met during band in 7th grade. Williams played percussion and Hugo played the tenor saxophone.

• Their R&B group, The Neptunes, were discovered by producer Teddy Riley at their high school talent show

• The Neptunes have worked with artists such as Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, Brittney Spears, Jay-Z and more

• Pharrell Williams is widely known for his contributions to the soundtracks for the movies Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2, including “Happy” and “Fun, Fun, Fun”.

• Pharrell Williams has collaborated with composer Hans Zimmer for movies such as Man of Steel, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Lion King (2019).

• The Neptunes have been named Producer of the Year (2003 Grammy Awards), Producer of the Decade (Billboard), and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.

National Core Arts Standards • Anchor Standard #5 • Anchor Standard #11

Objectives: To engage in active listening and experience the “form” of a popular song through the use of body percussion. Materials: Body Percussion Video

Kaselyn Gibbs Hello! My name is Kaselyn Gibbs and I am a K-6 general music teacher and junior high choir director in Brimfield, Illinois. I received my Bachelor of Music Education from Western Illinois University in 2017 and am currently in pursuit of my Master of Music in Music Education through Kent State University.

Learning the “Fun, Fun, Fun” Body Percussion

Step 1: Actively listen to the song Fun, Fun, Fun by Pharrell Williams To make listening active, students can keep track of the form of the song or count how many times they hear the word “fun.” Step 2: Let’s learn the body percussion! There are five different patterns to learn for this song:

Pattern 1

1. There are two moves in this pattern: • Bop - make a fist with one hand and keep the other hand flat like you are going to

clap. Tap the flat hand on top of your first to create a sound. • Snap - Use the hand that was flat to snap (keep the fist in place so you can quickly

switch back and forth). 2. Pattern 1 (Bop, Snap, Bop, Snap) is repeated 4x

Pattern 2:

1. During this section of the music, Pharrell Williams sings the word “fun” seven times in a row. Each “fun” has a different motion:

1: Stomp right 2: Stomp left 3: Tap your chest with your right hand 4: Tap your chest with your left hand 5: Snap with your right hand 6: Snap with your left hand 7: Clap your hands

2. Practice this groove several times. This pattern is performed once. Step 3: Practice Pattern 1 & Pattern 2

1. At this point, it is helpful to try these two patterns together, before moving forward. This section occurs at the beginning of the video until 0:21.

2. When your students are secure with these two sections, you can move forward!

Pattern 3

1. This pattern uses four moves: • Pat your lap twice • Clap • Brush your hands back and forth • Snap

2. This pattern repeats 8x. Pattern 3 occurs in the video from 0:21-0:51.

Pattern 4

1. This pattern only uses 1 motion: • Pound: With both hands in fists, pound your fists together 4x

2. Pattern 4 repeats 2x (8 pounds total). Occurs in the video from 0:52-0:59.

Step 3: Practice Pattern 1, 2, 3 & 4! 1. At this point, it is helpful to review everything we know. 2. Be sure to practice the transition between Pattern 4 and Pattern 1. If we are thinking of

Pattern 1 as quarter notes, Pattern 4 would be half notes. 3. When your students are secure with the individual sections, you can move forward,

looking at how the entire song is organized. Helpful Tips: Help your students find Patterns in the song! Taking note of these Patterns will help the students remember what comes next. For example:

• Pattern 2 is always after Pattern 1 (4x) and is always followed by Pattern 1 (2x). • You may also want to point out that the verse is always Pattern 3 (8x) and Pattern 4

(2x). Students can create a map of the song and follow it as they perform. Then they can perform again without their map for more of a challenge. Students may even choose to perform the song without the video for an even bigger challenge!

But wait, as you can see, there is one more pattern to learn! This one is simple…

Pattern 5

• This Pattern goes back and forth between a rest and a snap. This repeats 4x.

Pattern # 1 2 1 3 4* 1 2 1 3 4* 1 2 1 5

Number of Repeats 4x 1x 2x 8x 2x 4x 1x 2x 8x 2x 4x 1x 2x 4x

Intro Verses 1 & 2 Bridge Verses 3 & 4 Bridge #2 Coda

Step 4: Let’s Put it All Together!

• Practice the flow of the song and perform! Be sure to follow the conductor.