The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #83861 Message #1544695
Posted By: Bob Bolton
18-Aug-05 - 07:33 AM
Thread Name: BS: Banjo: The Devil's Instrument!!
Subject: RE: BS: Banjo: The Devil's Instrument!!
Errrk!
Well, that's what comes of trusting what I laughingly call my memory ...
A: They're really called Stumph Fiddles,
B: They're really Czech!
This is the speil from the Lark in the Morning site:
Stumph Fiddles
Used traditionally in Czech drinking music, the Stumph Fiddle consists of a tambourine body, bells, jingles, cymbals and carved head, all mounted on a central staff, plus a tunable string or strings, using the tambourine as the resonator. Strike the end pin on the floor to create percussion sound while hitting the tambourine head, cymbals, bells or strings with the included stick for a wonderful rhythmic variation. Traditionally made by coal miners as a nighttime occupation.