Washboarding - anyone tried it?

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 Andy Clarke 09 Jun 2021

A much under-rated instrument in my opinion. I'm more a fan of the blues, jug band and Cajun styles personally - but no doubt there are plenty of skiffle connoisseurs out there. Even the Beatles found room for one in their Quarrymen days.

1
 Slackboot 09 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

The only exponent I ever came across was Lonnie Donegan. When I lived in the Lakes I used to go to see a band called Strange Folk. Their setup included a Tea Chest Bass. Another great home sourced instrument.

 Lankyman 09 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

I hear it wasn't very popular at Guantanamo Bay? Sorry, I thought you meant waterboarding!

Post edited at 19:38
4
 65 09 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

There was a brilliant cajun band from York called The Buttermountain Boys, c.30 years back. They had an electric washboard.

 Slackboot 09 Jun 2021
In reply to 65:

> There was a brilliant cajun band from York called The Buttermountain Boys, c.30 years back. They had an electric washboard.

That sounds dangerous!

 Fat Bumbly2 10 Jun 2021
In reply to 65:

Judas!

 cragtyke 10 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

Washboard, washtub bass and saw feature on some of The Pine Hill Haints songs. Try the Evening Star album, great stuff.

 Iamgregp 10 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

Surely just a poor man's Guiro or Reco-reco? 

OP Andy Clarke 10 Jun 2021
In reply to Iamgregp:

> Surely just a poor man's Guiro or Reco-reco? 

I can't agree there. A washboard strummed and tapped with thimbled fingers unlocks a world of rhythmic complexity, compared to some dried old fruit or a manky comb-alike hit with a  stick.

Post edited at 16:10
 Iamgregp 10 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

I was just joking really - In all seriousness it probably does, but for some reason it falls into that category of instruments that aren't really seen as an instrument a bit doesn't it?  

Quite a lot of other instruments in that category - Kazoo, Tea Chest, Jug, Jew's Harp, Guiro, Saw, Theremin... There must be loads more.  

OP Andy Clarke 10 Jun 2021
In reply to Iamgregp:

> I was just joking really - In all seriousness it probably does, but for some reason it falls into that category of instruments that aren't really seen as an instrument a bit doesn't it?  

> Quite a lot of other instruments in that category - Kazoo, Tea Chest, Jug, Jew's Harp, Guiro, Saw, Theremin... There must be loads more.  

My reply was tongue in cheek - but I do think such "repurposed" instruments are good fun.

 felt 10 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

Where is it then?

 Holdtickler 11 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

now there's a board I can play! Believe it or not I managed to get some washboard into a drum and bass track many years ago. Good fun with gypsy swing stuff too.

 petegunn 11 Jun 2021
In reply to Iamgregp:

Love the sound from a Jews Harp, makes your lips and teeth feel funny though!

 Herdwickmatt 12 Jun 2021
In reply to petegunn: I remember my old English teacher was part of a Cajun and zydeco band - Elvis Fontenot and the sugar bees I think. They were brilliant, I think he played the washboard

 Holdtickler 13 Jun 2021
In reply to Andy Clarke:

Think there might be a law preventing people from living in Lancaster unless they own either a washboard, a kazoo, or some kind of boingy thing. I felt like a unique weirdo till I moved here

OP Andy Clarke 13 Jun 2021
In reply to Holdtickler:

That strikes me as an excellent example of local democracy in action. Are any of the boingy thingies electrified? Now that would be proper cutting edge. 


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