Whacky Gobbler

by John Riggio

This hip hop funk tune is easy to sing and very repetitive with a bluesy, twelve bar I, IV, V progression. It's a wacky song about a wacky turkey who just likes to gobble. We call him "whacky" (instead of "wacky") because this tune also happens to be a Boomwhacker® feature. (Aren't we clever?)

The recording starts off with a funky loop, but there's no pitch, so you'll want to play a D for singers to get going. At 100 bpm, the piece moves at a good pace for Boomwhackers®, so be sure they practice! (Feel free to simplify.) The vocal and Boomwhacker® parts are mostly unison, but there is a cool call and response section between Boomwhackers® and winds at measure 19.

There are a number of opportunities for solo gobbles throughout the piece, if you wish to add them. The gobbling at the end is also optional and we added it in lieu of our usual Boomwhacker® applause, though you may add that as well.

The tune just cries out for at least one costumed turkey. More is good, too. The style will also inspire movement, so let them go!

Text is taken from Music K-8 magazine.