Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

Received my first set of bones in the mail today. I'm happy! Not only because they've arrived, but because within 10 minutes of their arrival, I'd already annoyed the offspring! "Daddy, will you please stop!"

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Where did you purchase them Kevin?

Will,

 

I got them at http://playdembones.com/

 

Not too expensive. Good selection. And they're made in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, to which I'm rather partial.

Thanks, Kevin. Bones aren't the easiest things to find. I did purchase one pair of 6 1/2" pine bones, but they're a bit too short.
I got a 7" cherry set.
Bones are hard.  (Inadvertent pun).  I've never gotten anywhere with them.  The rhythmic possibilities are infinite, it would seem, with the two-handed approach.

Ilike them!  Lots of different tones are possible from even one set, just by varying your hand position or the motions.   i got carried away and a modest collection now.  I tend to like the clicky/softer/hollow sounding ones, rather than the really loud clacky hardwood ones.

It still amazes me that I can actually make that triple click thing work with so little effort.  :)

I think the biggest problem is that spoons have a terrible reputation as 'session busters', and bones are seen as directly related to spoons.

The Rythm Bones Society webpage is an excellent source for all things bones.

 

I got a pair of ebony, I wanted the loudest even though I had no idea how to play them. There loud alright, and everyone that hears them shares the same sentiment, boy those are loud. So I got two pair made out of Cherry, a little softer wood. How's it going with getting the feel for them? 

Slowly. I'm doing OK. I can get a nice triplet going, but, like the dog that finally catches a car, I have no idea what to do with it! Sometimes I can pick them up and get going immediately. Other times, nada. Thanks for asking.

Nicholas A Bechtel said:

I got a pair of ebony, I wanted the loudest even though I had no idea how to play them. There loud alright, and everyone that hears them shares the same sentiment, boy those are loud. So I got two pair made out of Cherry, a little softer wood. How's it going with getting the feel for them? 

I have a buddy that is a Bluegrass player and he gives me the evil eye if I break em out. Of course I am still learning.



Strumelia said:

Ilike them!  Lots of different tones are possible from even one set, just by varying your hand position or the motions.   i got carried away and a modest collection now.  I tend to like the clicky/softer/hollow sounding ones, rather than the really loud clacky hardwood ones.

It still amazes me that I can actually make that triple click thing work with so little effort.  :)

I think the biggest problem is that spoons have a terrible reputation as 'session busters', and bones are seen as directly related to spoons.

That's funny, good analogy. I played drums some and I can see where you can get a type of rudiment thing going with each hand but applying it to music Sometimes I'm way off. There are moments when it sounds the way it should sound and I'm going What did I just do, and I can't find it again. As anything else it's a learning process. I think they sound cool, have fun!



Kevin Gooding said:

Slowly. I'm doing OK. I can get a nice triplet going, but, like the dog that finally catches a car, I have no idea what to do with it! Sometimes I can pick them up and get going immediately. Other times, nada. Thanks for asking.

Nicholas A Bechtel said:

I got a pair of ebony, I wanted the loudest even though I had no idea how to play them. There loud alright, and everyone that hears them shares the same sentiment, boy those are loud. So I got two pair made out of Cherry, a little softer wood. How's it going with getting the feel for them? 

Bluegrass pickers are prodigious in their intolerance.  I know 'cause I used to be one.

Nicholas A Bechtel said:

I have a buddy that is a Bluegrass player and he gives me the evil eye if I break em out. 

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