How to Do the Cup Song

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Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 26, 2024

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Beginning the Cup Song

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Moving the Cup

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Tackling the Cup Flip

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

The beat of The Cup Song is based on "The Cup Game," an old childrens' game. It was created by Lulu and the Lampshades and popularized by Pitch Perfect, in which it is performed by Beca (Anna Kendrick). This wikiHow article introduces the three, easy-to-learn parts of the Cup Song.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Beginning the Cup Song

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1
Set the cup on the table. Prepare to do the Cup Song by setting a cup down on a table. The cup should be rim down. Give yourself some space on either side of the cup.
- A plastic cup is best. Avoid using a glass or heavy cup until you have perfected the Cup Song.
2
Clap twice. Clap your hands together directly above the cup two times. Your hands should be above the cup.
- If your hands are too far from the cup, it will be more difficult to increase your speed.
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3
Tap the top of the cup three times. Alternate your hands during this step. Start with your right hand, then left hand, the right hand. You will use primarily your fingertips to tap the cup.
- Alternatively, you could tap the table on either side of the cup three times. You would still alternate right hand, left hand, right hand.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Moving the Cup

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Clap above the cup again. Make sure you are still about six inches above the cup. However, this time, just clap once.^{[1]
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Grasp the bottom of the cup with your right hand. Pick the cup up to hover about two to three inches above the table. Try to make an audible sound when grasping the cup.^{[2]
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Move the cup about three inches to the right. Set the cup down, making another audible noise. The cup should still be rim down.^{[3]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Tackling the Cup Flip

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Clap once again above the cup. Continue to keep your hands about six inches above the cup.
Turn your right hand so that your thumb is pointing down and your palm is facing the right. Grasp the cup with your hand.
Naturally rotate the cup ninety degrees clockwise. The rim, or opening, of the cup should be facing the left.
Use the palm of your hand to hit the opening of the cup. Be sure that your hand connects with the rim to make another audible noise.
Turn the cup a little further in a fluid motion. The cup just almost be straight up and down with the rim up.
Before the cup reaches the straight up and down position, tap the bottom edge of the cup to the table.
Continue to turn the cup clockwise. Grasp the bottom of the cup with your left hand. Try to make another audible noise when your left hand touches the cup. These noises maintain the beat of the Cup Song.
Cross your right arm to hit the table near the left side of your body.
Cross your left arm over you right and firmly place the cup back down on the table. The cup should land back down on its rim near the right side of your body.
Continue to practice the Cup Song until you get faster. Once you feel comfortable with the movements, try putting it to the song “When I’m Gone.” The movements repeat throughout the song.

Community Q&A

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Question

Do you think I should be quick or slow?

Community Answer

When you go faster, it sounds better.

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How do you do it fast?

Community Answer

Follow the steps and keep practicing. The more you do it, the faster you'll be!

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Question

How do you keep in time with the music?

Community Answer

Listen to the song, try to pick up the beat and the rhythm, and remember that beat and rhythm. Then, when you add a cup, it will help to keep you in time.

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Tips

Add the movements to the song “When I’m Gone.”

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Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
Perform the Cup Song on a table or other hard surface for best results.

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Use a plastic cup. This is especially important when practicing. Only graduate to a glass cup once you feel very comfortable with the movements.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Start slowly, increase speed with practice. Rushing tempo too quickly leads to flubbed timing. Gradually accelerate speed once the sequence is solid. Perfect it slow, speed it up later.
Tighten transitions between steps first. The trickiest part is fluidly linking each movement into the next. Target those transitions, connect motions seamlessly, then optimize speed.
Recruit friends to learn together. Turn practice into a social activity! Laugh over mistakes, critique form, share tips. Making it communal will keep you motivated.
Play songs aloud while practicing. Hearing the lyrics and melodies you'll perform with imprints the rhythm into your brain through multilayered sensory inputs.
Master the rhythm before adding props. Clap out the beat, say the sequence aloud. Internalize it first, then layer on cups, tables, etc.
Film yourself to catch errors. Review videos to see where movements fall out of sync with the beat. Self-analysis boosts precision.

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Warnings

Do not slap, slam, or grasp the cup too hard to avoid damage.

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The cup song takes a lot of practice.

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