Master the cup song with @EllaBellaBuu
Practice the cup song with simple cup rhythms, claps, and singing, following step by step guidance to build coordination and timing with @EllaBellaBuu.
Step-by-step guide to Master the cup song with @EllaBellaBuu
Step 1
Sit at the table with the cup upside down in front of you and make sure the cloth is nearby for grip.
Step 2
Watch @EllaBellaBuu's cup song video one time to see the whole routine from start to finish.
Step 3
Tap a steady beat on the table with your hand eight times to find the song's tempo.
Step 4
Tap the top of the cup with your fingertips eight times to match the steady beat you just made.
Step 5
Practice the "clap clap tap" pattern by clapping twice then tapping the cup once and repeat that pattern four times.
Step 6
Practice the pickup move by scooping the cup up on the last beat and putting it down once to learn the motion.
Step 7
Sing the song's lyric slowly while keeping the steady beat with your hand to connect the words to the rhythm.
Step 8
Combine the claps the cup taps the pickup and the singing slowly while following @EllaBellaBuu's timing.
Step 9
Count aloud faster to increase the tempo a little and try the full routine at this quicker speed one time.
Step 10
Repeat the full cup song three times in a row to build coordination and timing.
Step 11
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have the specific cup or cloth mentioned in the instructions?
Use a sturdy disposable plastic or paper cup placed upside down on the table and a folded dish towel or rubber jar opener instead of the cloth for grip.
My cup keeps slipping or the rhythm feels off when I try the pickup move—what should I do?
Put the cloth under the upside-down cup for traction, slow the pickup move, and practice scooping the cup on the last beat while tapping the steady beat eight times to rebuild timing.
How can I adapt this activity for younger kids or older kids?
For younger children, slow the tempo and practice the 'clap clap tap' pattern only twice and do the full routine once, while older kids can follow step 8 to count aloud faster, try the quicker speed, and add extra repetitions for challenge.
How can we personalize or extend the cup song activity after mastering the routine?
Decorate or label your cup, create a partner call-and-response using the song's lyrics while combining claps, cup taps and the pickup, and record your performance to share the finished creation on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to Master the cup song with @EllaBellaBuu
The Easiest Cup Song Tutorial
3 Videos
The Easiest Cup Song Tutorial
Cup song with two people tutorial
The Cup Song
Facts about music and rhythm activities for kids
🎬 Anna Kendrick's cup routine in the movie Pitch Perfect (2012) introduced the "Cups" rhythm to millions worldwide.
🎶 "Cups (When I'm Gone)" borrows lyrics and melody from the 1931 folk song "When I'm Gone" by the Carter Family.
👏 Clapping and cup games are forms of body percussion that help kids build rhythm, timing, and coordination.
🕒 The basic cup routine uses a repeating pattern synced to the song's beat, so practicing slowly helps lock in precise timing.
🌍 Variations of cup-and-clap games appear in classrooms and music traditions around the world.
