Take Those Spoons and Shove Them

Subject: RE: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 May 05 - 12:06 AM

There's only one thing worse than spoons... Tamborines...

I'll happily take a break when either comes out... even if I just got back from a break...

I have taken such away from audience members too...   Appear genuine... apprach them with a smile saying "Hey... cool... lemme see that for a second eh!?!" and when they hand the thing to you, walk away with it.. toss it out an open window or door, or into the trash and go right back to work....

When they protest, hit them with a good solid "F#CK YOU!"

Subject: RE: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Azizi
Date: 10 May 05 - 12:01 AM

Thanks, Macolm.

I checked out one of the threads-there's some interesting info there!-and I'll read the other threads tomorrow.

Oh and that Comprehensive musical instrument book that I bought also doesn't mention glass soda bottles which I've read are commonly used as percussive instruments in contemporary African cultures [they'r hit with a stick]...

Also, I've read that contemporary Africans also have worn flattened metal soda bottle tops as ankle braclets to add to the rhythnic sounds. And that's not listed in that musical instrument book either...

So I guess that means the book isn't really all that comprehensive...

but it does include the bodhran...

So it's got something going for it!

Subject: RE: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 09 May 05 - 11:56 PM

We are teaching a spoons workshop at an upcoming festival. Are we creating more monsters? We hope not. We always include a lecture on when not to play the spoons and spoons etiquette but we're sure we have put lethal weapons in the hands of at least a few heathens. Please forgive us.

We think we play tastefully and only under the right conditions. We play other instruments and have been harrassed by non-thinking people with spoons in their hands (notice we didn't say spoons players) so we know what it feels like.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 09 May 05 - 11:18 PM

Bones and similar simple percussion tools are played worldwide. The spoons are a handy, ready-made form; useful in the hands of a sensitive player, quite ghastly if played without understanding.

The subject comes up fairly regularly. See, for example:

Spoons Murder - A cautionary tale
The Spoons Murder / Return of the Spoons

Spoons, history of ???
Spoons
PLEASE, defend THE SPOONS

... and so on.

Subject: RE: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Azizi
Date: 09 May 05 - 11:10 PM

Not terrible long ago I went to a used book store and I counted myself lucky to find a brand new copy of a book "The Complete Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments" ...

This book is subtitled "A comprehensive guide to musical instruments around the world".

After reading the posts in this thread I'm not sure I know what 'spoons' are. So I located that 'comprehensive guide to the world's musical instruments, and of course found no entry for 'spoons'.

So here is my sincere question: I'm guessing that 'spoons' are the same as the eating utensils, but are used to make percussive sounds in a similar to the way '{jaw} bones' were played by enslaved African Americans? Am I right?

And BTW, I 'get' that the person playing the spoons at your gig was a pest who didn't know he was messing up the set.

Also, my compliments to you on the creativity of your thread title.
Love it!

Subject: RE: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 09 May 05 - 10:55 PM

Steak knives.

Subject: RE: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Peace
Date: 09 May 05 - 10:50 PM

Tell him to go cook something.

Subject: RE: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Les B
Date: 09 May 05 - 10:46 PM

My experience is that spoon players (or most of 'em anyway) are enthusiastic wannabe's who haven't a clue that they are irritating the lead instrument players, especially fiddlers. They can rarely hold a beat and don't seem to care.

The only thing worse than spoon players (and they're usually drunk) is a drunken tuba player who comes up behind you and gives a ear-wrenching blast. Happened to me one time and I was ready to commit mayhem, even though I'm a real avoider of violence!

Subject: Take Those Spoons and Shove Them
From: Beer
Date: 09 May 05 - 10:09 PM

Just back from an early gig and thought I'd share this problem. Three fiddlers and a few others as well as myself were jamming when some adult (children I can understand) decided to join in with the spoons.   I don't mind the spoons if the person can play them, but what a pain to put up with when they are not in beat. Gerry Deveau from the Cape is great with Ashley MacIsaac or Richard Woods. That I can appreciate.
I have seen my brother stop playing the fiddle in mid play and ask the person playing to take those spoons and shove them. When he was in fiddle camp two years ago one of the teachers/instructors said that a spoon player should always ask if they can join in.
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