Musical box

Subject: Musical box
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 30 May 03 - 11:02 AM

Many European bands performing at the International Bolk Alliance Conference in Nashville had a percussionist who sat on and played what appeared to be a wooden box. My questions concern what is the box called, and what is the history behind it? This may seem pretty rudimentary to most Mudcatters, but some of us folk here in the Ozarks don't get out much, though we are a curious lot.

Subject: RE: Musical box
From: black walnut
Date: 30 May 03 - 02:43 PM

I believe they are called Cajons. Take a look at these pictures and tell me if I'm right:
http://www.oriondrums.com/Boxdrums.html   and
http://www.tonecajon.com/

~black walnut (with a little help from a mudfriend)

Subject: RE: Musical box
From: GUEST,Der Fuer's Face
Date: 30 May 03 - 03:50 PM

Subject: RE: Musical box
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 30 May 03 - 06:31 PM

Thanks black walnut. While there are some slight differences in what I saw and what is pictured at the websites there is a definite kinship. But the puzzle has not come together since the cajon is of Latin American origin and the bands I could identify who were using them were Scandinavian.

Subject: RE: Musical box
From: RangerSteve
Date: 30 May 03 - 08:24 PM

I saw something in Montego Bay, Jamaica that was basically a giant version of the thumb piano. Like the cajon, but it had large metal strips that you played to get a bass accompaniment. And the player sat on it.

As far as the band you saw being Scandinavian, some of the newer bands from up there have adopted non-Scandinavian instruments and musical styles that they mix with their native music.

Subject: RE: Musical box
From: RangerSteve
Date: 30 May 03 - 08:24 PM

Oh, yeah, I forget to mention that I have no idea what that thing is called.