PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)

Subject: Obit: PLEASE, defend...
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 09:34 AM

Insert own choice here (to save time and threads!).
NOT the washboard and kazoo, obviously, I realise we're beyond defence, but...shaky eggs, triangles, Swanee whistles, clarinet (who can forget Bruce Turner's lovely contributions to Ewan McColl's recordings),whatever...probably need defending from the folk police.

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE, defend...
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 09:35 AM

Obviously should be BS not Obit...

RtS
(open the cage, ma!)

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend...
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 10:29 AM

Please defend the paper and comb. This instrument takes years to master, although it can get a bit soggy.

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend...
From: pavane
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 11:12 AM

Jaws (Jews) Harp

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend...
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 11:21 AM

Hawaiian nose flute.

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: Once Famous
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 11:53 AM

The whiny singing voice...........

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 03:22 AM

Roger - I have inherited a late friend's washboard and would like to play it. Any advice?

Wilfried

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 03:53 AM

G'day Wilfried,

First off, find some thimbles... As to the composition thereof? Ummm... What's the bumpy bits of your washboard built from....

Glass? Wood? or Corrugated aluminium?

All require different thimbles...

Mutter.... You hold it like so, and go twinkle with you fingers on the bumpy bits. Ummm... one must never forget to leave it in the wash-house for mother to use on Monday....

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 03:54 AM

Wilfried: buy your nearest and dearest earplugs, get half a dozen metal thimbles of a size to fit your fingers (I don't use thumb or pinky)and strum, tap and scrape away. Some people use drummers' metal brushes or spoons. I play both sides with it vertically, others only one side horizontally on the lap. Serious players usually add a small cymbal, cowbells etc. Be prepared to be mocked by banjo, bodhran and accordian players. Ignore them and ENJOY!

RtS
(and you can do your washing on a camping trip!)

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 03:58 AM

PS Wilfried: Lutz Eikelmann, German jazz & skiffle drummer and bass player also plays washboard. He sometimes posts here as a GUEST and may be on hand to give encouragement, advice. I'll PM you his e-mail address.

RtS

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 04:07 AM

Roger,

I'm proud of you - Lonnie Donnegan (Sp?) couldn't have described how to play a washboard better... Apart from....?

I've got a ¼ Tea Chest in my front room - waiting to get Bass..

Mumble --- Sam

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 04:20 AM

Sorry to be pedantic, Sam, but apart from his first recordings with Chris Barber, where the late great Beryl Bryden played washboard, Lonnie used a traditional drummer in his band. Though when he did last concerts and recordings with Chris and Van Morrison, Chris's then drummer, "Sticky" Wicket, played washboard. Ken Colyer's skiffle group had washboard or suitcase played by brother Bill Colyer. Vipers (John Pilgrim, called the best wshboard player in UK by Sonny Terry)and most of the other skiffle groups of the 1950s had washboards as do most of the revival skiffle groups around today.

RtS
(anyone still awake?!)

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 04:27 AM

YUP - Sam

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 04:46 AM

Hey, Rog. Do you have a Derek Guyler or Albert and Les Ward T shirt ??
Atb from cheered up Charlie S.

Subject: RE: PLEASE, defend... (various instruments in folk)
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 08:10 AM

Im putting in a vote for the vietnamese musical wooden frog, essential accompaniment when singing "Its not easy being Green"