Amy M. Burns

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Boomwhacker Play-Along: Spooky Scary Skeletons in A Minor

Amy M. Burns

"Spooky Scary Skeletons" written by Andrew Gold in 1996 is a playful Halloween song about dancing skeletons, which became a more viral hit after The Living Tombstone’s remix in 2013 added an energetic beat. This remix became popular on social media platforms like Just Dance, YouTube, and TikTok, where people used it in Halloween videos, dances, and memes. Its catchy rhythm and fun lyrics make it perfect for a Halloween activity in music class for upper elementary and middle school, if you can use Halloween-themes activities.

Details About The Song

  • Remix is in an EDM Style: The Living Tombstone’s remix transforms Spooky Scary Skeletons into an upbeat electronic dance track with a faster tempo, synthesized bass, and syncopated percussion.

  • Steady Beat in dotted half notes in a 6/8 meter: Classic EDM technique creates a pulsing effect, adding energy and depth and emphasizing the dotted half note rhythm patterns.

  • Structure and Effects: Keeps the original verse-chorus structure but adds harmonies and digital effects for an engaging, layered sound.

Teaching Points:

  • Demonstrates remixing as a tool to refresh a song’s style.

  • Shows production techniques (sidechain, layering).

  • Useful for discussing social media’s role in revitalizing earlier music.

  • Students feel the strong and weak beats throughout the play-along.

  • Tempo

    • The tempo is quite fast. Use YouTube’s speed controls to practice the play-along slowly and increase the tempo when ready.

    • Use the Soundslice version to change the tempo, take out the note names, change how the video is presented, and more.

  • Key

    • Originally composed in B minor, this was changed to play in A minor for diatonic boomwhackers.

Soundslice or YouTube

Currently, this video is found on YouTube and Soundslice (https://www.soundslice.com/slices/mR2Cc/). On YouTube, you can change the tempo with the speed controls. On Soundslice, you can change the tempo and the overall display, take out the notation, change the conductor, and more!

Manipulatives

The manipulatives with each line of music separated into one slide so you can have your students practice it are available on my Buy Me A Coffee Channel https://buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech

Bonus Ideas

Using AI Tools, I asked how to use this remix for the purposes of discussing remixing and social media’s role in revitalizing songs from other eras. Here are some ideas that were presented:

Here are some engaging, interactive lesson ideas for exploring the remix of "Spooky Scary Skeletons" that combine remixing, production techniques, and social media's impact:

  1. Extend the Lesson with Ukulele Chords: Many of the chords are ones we use for other songs like A minor, C Major, G Major, F Major, and E Major.

  2. Rhythm and Remixing with Bucket Drumming: A bucket drumming lesson using a trap remix of Spooky Scary Skeletons allows students to analyze rhythms and remix elements. This activity uses color-coded notation to reinforce rhythmic patterns and structure, helping students connect remixing techniques to rhythm and form (see information below).

  3. Video Production and Social Media Influence: Using platforms like Clipchamp (https://app.clipchamp.com/), students can create Halloween-themed projects that explore social media’s role in shaping music trends. Options include remix-based storytelling or digital PSAs, introducing video editing and narrative techniques while analyzing how remix culture thrives online. These projects can be adapted to focus on Spooky Scary Skeletons and its rise through social media, offering a deeper look at audience engagement and content creation.

  4. Sound Design in EDM: For an in-depth production technique focus, lessons on EDM structure and trap elements—using samples from remixes of Spooky Scary Skeletons—provide students with insight into music production basics. Emphasis on layers, bass, and effects can encourage students to experiment with their sounds and recognize the genre's popular production features.

These lesson plans support hands-on learning and critical thinking about remix culture, production techniques, and social media's influence. Check out resources from Teachers Pay Teachers, Mr. Litt’s Music Room with a lesson about Spooky Scary Skeletons -https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skeleton-Remix-a-trap-music-mashup-HALLOWEEN-BUCKET-DRUMMING-8626364

I hope you enjoy this newest boomwhacker play-along!