Don't Worry, Be Happy
Time Signature
- 4/4
Cross Curricular
- Geography
Theme
- Expressing Viewpoints and Feelings
- Inspiration and Motivation
- PSHE
Content Type
- Choreography
- Dialogue
Style
- Reggae
Tempo
- Moderato
Dynamics
- Mezzo Forte
Form
- Coda
- Introduction
- Repeat Signs
Movement Type
- Choreography
Classroom Instruments
- Orff Instruments - Pitched
- Orff Instruments - Unpitched
Voicing
- 2-Part
Language
- English
Rhythm
- Beamed Quavers
- Crotchet
- Dotted Minim
- Minim
- Minim Rest
- Quaver Rest
- Quaver-Crotchet-Quaver Syncopation
- Semibreve
- Semibreve Rest
- Single Quaver
Metre
- Duple
Year Group
- Year 4+
See More
Year 1
Lesson 10: Duple, Triple, Quadruple
Year 2
Lesson 5: Rests
Year 3
Lesson 19: Sounds of the Orchestra
Year 4
Lesson 30: Organising Beats
Year 5
Lesson : Articulation Affects - Part 2
Year 6
Lesson 8: Mixed Metres
Year 6
Instrument Units
Lesson 0: Recorder Class Method - Unit 2
Instrument Units
Lesson 1: Guitar Class Method - Unit 1
Listening Maps
Lesson : Listening Maps
Disney Music Activities (EYFS & KS1)
Lesson 3: Very First Steps: Sound
Disney Music Activities (EYFS & KS1)
Lesson : Very First Steps: The Beat
Disney Music Activities (EYFS & KS1)
Lesson 2: Very First Steps: Singing
Musicals
Lesson 10: Bebop With Aesop
Musicals
Lesson : Once Upon a Starry Night
New Test Group
Lesson 30: Am I Hearing You Right?
New Test Group
Lesson 28: It's Dynamically Fun!
Global Drumming
Lesson 3: 3. Question and Answer with Echo
Global Drumming
Lesson 4: 4. Double Bell (Gankogui)
Global Drumming
Lesson 5: 5. Rhythm Complements
Global Drumming
Global Drumming
Lesson 2: 2. Low Tone on Drum; Bell
Global Drumming
Lesson 1: 1. High Tone on Drum; Rattle
Words and Music by Bobby McFerrin
Arranged by Roger Emerson
Copyright © 1988 by Probnoblem Music
This arrangement Copyright © 2013 by Probnoblem Music
All Rights in the United States and Canada Administered by Universal Music - Careers
International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved
Available Learning Resources
Don't Worry, Be Happy Credits
Words and Music by Bobby McFerrin
Arranged by Roger Emerson
Copyright © 1988 by Probnoblem Music
This arrangement Copyright © 2013 by Probnoblem Music
All Rights in the United States and Canada Administered by Universal Music - Careers
International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved
Teaching Plan
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Goals
- Learn a song with a Reggae influence.
- Sing a song with harmony.
- Play an accompaniment on the drums.
Materials
- Drums (bongos, congas, djembe)
Instructions
-
Reggae music originated in Jamaica. It is a combination of elements from rhythm and blues, jazz, calypso and other sounds of Africa and Latin America. It uses guitar, bass, keyboards, horns, and drums (including steel drums). It is also known for its accents on the offbeat.
- While listening to this song, identify the instruments played. (guitar, drum set, steel drums)
- Sing the melody of the song together. Are there any words that are spoken instead of sung? (Don't worry, be happy now.)
- Once students are confident with the melody, learn the harmony for the song on doo which is sung in lines 15-20 of the score.
-
Off-beat accompaniment: Distribute drums that are either different in size (bongos, congas) or can be played using various tones (djembes).
- On the board, write the following rhythm: Rest, ti-ti, rest, ta.
- Students with a single drum will play an open tone (played in the center of the drum and allowing it to ring) for the first two eighth notes (ti-ti). Use a slap (played at the edge of the drum with the tips of the fingers, or place on the side of one hand at the edge of the drum before slapping the edge with the other) for the quarter note (ta).
- For students playing bongo drums, play the lower drum (larger drum) on the eighth notes and the higher drum (smaller drum) on the quarter note. on the third note.
- To perform, combine singing the melody and harmony with the drum accompaniment.
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