Let’s be honest: sometimes the best choir warm-ups are the ones that make your students laugh while also helping them sing better.
That is exactly what you get with Steve’s Lava Chicken, a silly but effective 4-part vocal warm-up that has quickly become a favorite in my classroom. This delightfully ridiculous 4-part warm-up has quickly become a favorite in my classroom. It is silly, memorable, and genuinely effective. Students have fun with it, but they are also building important ensemble skills at the same time.
In my latest YouTube video, I break down how this warm-up works so you can try it with your own choir, whether you teach elementary, secondary, or even a community ensemble. It may sound goofy, but it has real musical value.
What Is “Steve’s Lava Chicken”?
Steve’s Lava Chicken is a 4-part vocal warm-up built around layered syllables, text, and gestures. Each part stacks on top of the last, which means students need to stay focused while listening carefully to what is happening around them.
As the warm-up builds, singers are challenged to develop:
- focus
- memory
- listening skills
- ensemble awareness
- part independence
It is part vocal warm-up, part coordination challenge, and part group bonding moment. In many ways, it feels like the musical version of patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time, except with more energy and a lot more chicken.
A Quick Note About the Lyrics
One of the lines in the warm-up includes the phrase “It’s Tasty as Hell!” Older students usually find this hilarious, but if you are working with younger singers, you may want to swap in a more school-friendly version.
A few easy alternatives are:
- “So tasty I’ll yell!”
- “It’s tasty and swell!”
That keeps the rhythm and playful spirit intact while making it more appropriate for your group.
Why Use a Silly Warm-Up?
Fun warm-ups are not wasted time. In fact, they can be one of the best ways to reset the room, build energy, and create a stronger sense of community in your ensemble.
A warm-up like this can help:
- build laughter and connection in the choir
- wake up the brain and body
- strengthen rhythmic layering and part independence
- encourage participation from more hesitant singers
- make rehearsal feel more engaging right from the start
Once your students know all four parts, you can also vary how you use it. Try it with solos, small groups, sectional challenges, or just as a quick way to bring fresh energy into rehearsal.
Watch the Video
If you want to bring a little chaos, joy, and musicianship into your next rehearsal, you can watch the full video here:
Steve’s Lava Chicken 4-Part Warm-Up
Your students may be singing “ba-bawk” for the rest of the week, but they will also be building stronger listening and ensemble skills along the way.
Grab the Free Printable
If you want an easy way to use this warm-up with your choir, you can also download the free printable here:
Steve’s Lava Chicken Choral Warm-Up
Grab the free printable!
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the most effective teaching tools are the ones students do not forget. A silly warm-up like Steve’s Lava Chicken can create joy, focus, and real musical growth all at once.
If you try it with your choir, I would love to hear how it goes. Feel free to leave a comment on the video or tag me on social media if your singers end up loving it too.
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