Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?

Subject: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: Mudjack
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 05:56 PM

Are there any Washboard players out there in Mudland? I have recently purchased a nice old washboard to put together and need some advice from the Mudcat Advisory Council.

What is the essentials to attach to the board? I have a cow bell, looking for a good brass squeeze horn.
Anyone have some thought provoking ideas or advice?
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: reeebop
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 06:09 PM

hi. I'm not quite an expert on the subject, but I've had a washboard thrown at me a couple of times when we were getting roudy. All I can suggest is to find interesting things to scrape against it. I mean, thimbles work great--but i found a shaker egg with a pick attached that can do wonders for a tiny rhythem section. I don't know much about the artistry or the "proper" ways of playing--but it sure is fun and doubles as a great way to do your laundry cheaper....

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: Mikal
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 06:32 PM

OOOOHH! Can I join in?

I used to have a washboard of my very own. (Kinda fits in with the drummin' ya know.) My fave was one of those neat "sqwak horns you find in the Western Auto, or used to before they mad 'em outta plastic.

Also, consider a swazzle. They are hard to buy, but easy to make. If ya' don't know what one is, you may not wanna try one, though.

Mikal

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: Lenny
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 10:44 PM

I've played one ever since I saw The Jim Kweskin Jug band many years ago. Jeff Muldaur played it. I really did take my mother's washboard although I have no idea what she used it for because she had a washing machine. Played it with 2 screwdrivers.

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: _gargoyle
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 10:52 PM

Experiment with different thimbles

Another lifetime ago, a chap had, one steel, one brass, one ceramic, and two leather....claimed they give the desired depth of tone

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: arkie
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 11:38 PM

Get an old work glove, sew thimbles on the finger tips and you're ready to go. Or you can really go all out and get one of those vests like the cajun bands use. Can't remember what they are called, but they look like they might offer a little protection out on the street after the music making is over.

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: roopoo
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 03:15 AM

I knew a guy, a drummer by training, who played his washboard across his knee with 2 spoons, and who also had a cymbal and cow bell attached as well as the old bulb horn, and maybe one or two other bits and bobs I have forgotten. I've got a small board myself, but it's not zinc. It may be aluminium. I have another that is, but the zinc is very worn and I daren't do anything with it. Can you make new surfaces? By the way, I have only ever strummed my board with steel thimbles, not being the most talented in that direction. Being a half-size board, it is quite portable, so I fitted it with a carrying strap and can wear it like a shoulder bag if I need to be mobile. I once got hold of a glass one, although the frame was a little dodgy. Still, it only cost £3, which is somewhere in the region of $2, I suppose. My darling husband chucked it in the trash! I have seen them on sale for 10 times that amount. I might even have been able to marry it with the good frame on the bad zinc one.

mouldy

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 03:33 AM

My percussionist has something new on his everytime I look...currently, a small cymbal from a "kiddie" drum set, a large brass cowbell, and a bicycle bell...we mounted the wb on an old hi-hat stand, so he has ez access to it while he's playing the various hand-drums (congas, bongos and a dumbek).

He uses a leather glove w/ washers sewed to the tips.

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: Mike Billo
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 01:31 PM

Yeah! I've been playing and collecting washboards for years. I have a "Spoons, Bones, Washboards and Washtub Bass" site at http://www.homestead.com/oldmusic/MusicalSpoons.html

There is also the Washboards International site at http://washboards.com

I used to have bicycle bell and horn attachments, and a harmonica rack, but have trimmed it down in recent years to just the washboard, and occasionally, the one with the harmonica rack.

It was always difficult to get the thimbles to fit properly on my fingers, so some years ago, I switched to metal fingerpicks, and have stuck with that since.

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: Colin Allen
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 04:03 PM

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: Colin Allen
Date: 31 Dec 99 - 04:06 PM

I dont play myself, but i used to go to see a band in which the singer played one. He had a cowbell and used a small scrubbing brush instead of thimbles. Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Washboard Artistry-- Anyone?
From: Mudjack
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 07:56 AM

Thanks everyone... I got some great ideas from you all. I like the glove with washers sewn on. I have to appreciate the fact that a washboard can be used as a shield as defense.Thanks Mike for the site references and yes, I will chech them out.
Mudjack