Do I Dare?

Like all of our anti-substance abuse songs, this one is hard hitting - lyrically and musically. The lyrics challenge us to make responsible decisions in life, and call us to a greater maturity and wisdom when making those decisions. The music is edgy and has a certain tension to it, which is deliberate. We want students to think about this one!

The song is unison throughout, and while there is enough repetition to facilitate learning it, some of the rhythms may pose a challenge. One teaching technique to try is having students rap the lyrics before attempting to sing them. Go over and over one phrase at a time until everyone in the group is getting it, then move on to the next phrase and do the same thing. Be a human metronome for your students, clapping or snapping on the beat, starting more slowly if needed, then working up to speed. Once they've mastered the rhythms, have them try singing the correct pitches with each phrase. Chest voice is totally appropriate, as the song is written in a child's lower range, and can be more emphatic and confident this way. Don't try to make it too pretty!

For information on D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), there is a brief article in Music K-8, Vol. 2 No. 5, on page 13. You can also find out more by going to http://www.dare.com/