Clappin' Time

This adaptation of the tune "Clementine" was done by a 13-year old young lady named Katy Gentry. Katy is one of the singers we use in our recording sessions. She approached us with her idea when we were last in the studio. We thought it was cute and fun, so we decided to do it. Paul has written an arrangement and orchestration, full of his signature humor, to go with Katy's adaptation. The result is classic. We had a very good time recording this one. So much so, that we left in a few of the giggles that followed the last "yee hah!" on the cassette.

The idea is to clap the rhythms of the tune at the chorus the first time through, stomp it the second time through and sing it the third time using the syllable, "ner." The latter is intended to imitate a country guitar, complete with twang. To really get the full effect, let your students play "air guitar", too.

For more corny fun, assemble a homemade mountain band to aid in the accompaniment of the tune. You can add one or more washboards, a one-string washtub bass, sets of spoons, guitars, ukuleles, and/or autoharps. And if you're performing for an audience, you can add country costumes: lots of bright plaid, bandannas and bibs.