How to Do the Cup Song Without a Cup

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methods

1 Right-Handed

2 Left-Handed

3 Using your Feet Instead of a Cup (Right-Handed)

4 Using your Feet Instead of a Cup (Left-Handed)

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Last Updated: February 2, 2025

Why do the Cup Song (the a cappella version of "When I'm Gone," performed by Anna Kendrick in "Pitch Perfect") without a cup? Maybe you're stuck on a long car trip and want to pass the time. Instead of the usual rounds of "Row, Row Your Boat," try mastering the Cup Song—without the cup! Or impress your friends in the school yard by performing the song while standing, stomping and slapping your feet.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Right-Handed

1. 
   1
   Start slow. You're not going to nail it the first time around. If you already know how to do the cup song, just imagine that instead of tapping or moving the cup, you are patting your hands on your lap or on a table.
2. 
   2
   Clap your hands twice.
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3. 
   3
   Pat your lap three times.

   • First pat your right thigh with your right hand.
   • Then pat your left thigh with your left hand.
   • Pat your right thigh with your right hand again.
4. 
   4
   Clap your hands once.
5. 
   5
   Pat your lap twice. Use your left hand only.
6. 
   6
   Clap once.
7. 
   7
   Pat your lap once with your left hand.
8. 
   8
   Clap your hands once.
9. 
   9
   Pat your lap once with your left hand.
10. 
    10
    Clap your hands once.
11. 
    11
    Pat your left thigh with your right hand. Leave it there.
12. 
    12
    Pat your right thigh with your left hand. Your arms should be crossed.
13. 
    13
    Repeat!
14. 
    14
    As you get better and memorize the movements, you can increase your speed.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Left-Handed

1. 
   1
   Clap your hands twice.
2. 
   2
   Pat your lap three times.

   • First pat your left thigh with your left hand.
   • Then pat your right thigh with your right hand.
   • Pat your left thigh with your left hand again.
3. 
   3
   Clap your hands once.
4. 
   4
   Pat your lap twice. Use your right hand only.
5. 
   5
   Clap once.
6. 
   6
   Pat your lap once with your right hand.
7. 
   7
   Clap your hands once.
8. 
   8
   Pat your lap once with your right hand.
9. 
   9
   Clap your hands once.
10. 
    10
    Pat your right thigh with your left hand. Leave it there.
11. 
    11
    Pat your left thigh with your right hand. Your arms should be crossed.
12. 
    12
    Repeat!
13. 
    13
    Practice at a slow pace and gradually build up speed.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using your Feet Instead of a Cup (Right-Handed)

1. 
   1
   Start in a standing position with your legs spread slightly.
2. 
   2
   Clap your hands twice.
3. 
   3
   Pat your lap three times.

   • First pat your right thigh with your right hand.
   • Then pat your left thigh with your left hand.
   • Pat your right thigh with your right hand again.
4. 
   4
   Clap your hands.
5. 
   5
   Pat your left thigh with your left hand.
6. 
   6
   Stomp your left foot.
7. 
   7
   Clap your hands.
8. 
   8
   Hit your right foot with your left hand. Bend your knee and lift your right foot up behind you so, crossing your left hand back so you can hit the side of your foot.
9. 
   9
   Stomp your right foot as you put it down.
10. 
    10
    Hit your left foot with your right hand. Make the same movement of lifting your left foot behind you and slap it with your hand.
11. 
    11
    Stomp your left foot down.
12. 
    12
    Clap your hands.
13. 
    13
    Pat your left thigh with your right hand.
14. 
    14
    Pat your right thigh with your left hand.
15. 
    15
    Repeat!
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using your Feet Instead of a Cup (Left-Handed)

1. 
   1
   Start in a standing position with your legs spread slightly.
2. 
   2
   Clap your hands twice.
3. 
   3
   Pat your lap three times.

   • First pat your left thigh with your left hand.
   • Then pat your right thigh with your right hand.
   • Pat your left thigh with your left hand again.
4. 
   4
   Clap your hands.
5. 
   5
   Pat your right thigh with your right hand.
6. 
   6
   Stomp your right foot.
7. 
   7
   Clap your hands.
8. 
   8
   Hit your left foot with your right hand. Bend your knee and lift your left foot up behind you so, crossing your right hand back so you can hit the side of your foot.
9. 
   9
   Stomp your left foot as you put it down.
10. 
    10
    Hit your right foot with your left hand. Make the same movement of lifting your right foot behind you and slap it with your left hand.
11. 
    11
    Stomp your right foot down.
12. 
    12
    Clap your hands.
13. 
    13
    Pat your right thigh with your left hand.
14. 
    14
    Pat your left thigh with your right hand.
15. 
    15
    Repeat!
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  My friends all know how to do the cup song and I tried it your way countless times, but it sounded so different. What do I do?

  

  Community Answer

  Try watching how Anna Kendrick does it and watch some YouTube tutorials. Start slow then gradually speed it up.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 4 Helpful 8
• Question

  How do I do it without feet?

  

  Community Answer

  You do not need feet to perform the Cup Song (from Pitch Perfect).

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 4 Helpful 7

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