Charlie Puth Helps Elementary School Class Compose Song Using Everyday Sounds

Charlie Puth appeared as the special guest on the Tuesday (Oct. 6) episode of Celebrity Substitute, teaching a music class to children at a New York City public elementary school.

During an opening conversation with host Julian Shapiro-Barnum, the musician stated, “The goal today is to tell the kids that anything can be made with music.” He added, “It just enhances every other aspect of their lives. It enhances science and math. It just kind of takes the pressure off.”

Puth also noted the full-circle nature of the appearance, recalling that his mother worked as a music educator during his childhood. The singer-songwriter said, “I felt very proud, and it’s probably why I am who I am today,” while describing himself as an unofficial professor.

After initially appearing overwhelmed by the number of students, Puth answered questions about his career and his life as a new father, following his recent welcoming of a son with wife Brooke Sansone. He then had the children record everyday noises into his workspace, including scraping a comb against a microphone and peeling masking tape, to combine into a beat.

The students and Puth then wrote lyrics and sang and rapped together, performing lines about friends enjoying music and loving the beat.

The classroom appearance follows the conclusion of the North American leg of Puth’s Whatever’s Clever! Tour, which began in April. He recently canceled the New Zealand and Australia dates of the tour.

His album Whatever’s Clever! debuted at No. 46 on the Billboard 200.

Episodes of Celebrity Substitute are available to watch online.