I Like To Have Fun

A few years ago, we wrote a Vaudeville-style tune called "Wouldja Be My Valentine?" It turned out to be incredibly popular with the kids, even the older boys. So, we thought perhaps we should write another one in that style that is not holiday specific. That way, it can be used any time at all.

The result is "I Like To Have Fun," a totally silly and delightful little ditty. The melody is simple and unison, so it's usable by most grades.

You will note the use of many vocal effects in this song. For example, we suggest that students sing with a vibrato. We have also indicated a number of scoops, slides, and other articulations. Go over them with your students, if you can. Our singers on the recording provide a good example.

For the best effect, we recommend that you let your students cup their hands around their mouths (taking care not to cover their mouths) while they are singing. This produces a natural "megaphone" effect. Our singers enjoyed this immensely. We're guessing yours will enjoy it, too.

You could use real megaphones, if you prefer, however. Making megaphones out of heavy paper would probably be pretty simple. Add a few 1920s costumes for fun as well.

The second time through the tune, the Vaudeville orchestra takes over the melody while the students engage in movement. The actions are included on the music. These are merely suggestions. Your students can invent their own actions, or just do variations of the ones we suggest. You can let them get as complex as you like. Mixing and matching the actions is another idea.

As part of the orchestration on the recording, you will hear solo soprano sax, muted brass, bass clarinet, and female background vocalists. Though we have left the vocalists in on the instrumental tracks version, we have also decided to include the part for you here, in case you want to add your own. The part is indicated at the bottom of page 53. It only enters at measure 29 each time it occurs. You can use two or more singers, but be sure to consider the blend. As you will hear on the recording, the singers use a tight, vocally compressed sound reminiscent of the era. The "ooh" at the end (which the students also say) is very high and squeaky. Have them wrinkle their noses as they say it for added effect.