Playing the Bones
(Page 2 of 3)
March/April 1982
By Pam Gross
Holding On: Lesson One
RELATED CONTENT
It’s easier to prevent osteoporosis than treat it. Here’s the essential information you need to kno...
HOMEGROWN MUSIC. . .AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS! November/December 1980 By MARC BRISTOL: Even homestead...
Home grown music... and musical instruments March/April 1980 Even homesteaders need to relax and en...
HOMEGROWN MUSIC . . . AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS! May/June 1980 by MARC BRISTOL Evenhomesteaders need ...
Finding a public jam session. Making a human jukebox and promoting music by conducting homemade ins...
To begin, hold two bones back to back with your middle finger between them (see photographs above). Then close your hand, keeping the rib ends almost directly in the center of the heel of your palm. Your middle finger should press down directly on the bone closest to the thumb and hold it in a fixed position. This rib doesn't move. The ring finger holds the second bone firmly enough to remain in place when the hand is stationary, yet in such a way that it's somewhat easily moved. When you can separate the loose rib and then release it and hear it strike the fixed one, you're holding the bones correctly.
The Basic Snap: Lesson Two
With instruments in hand, you're all set to concentrate on the basic sound: Snap! In order to achieve it, imagine that you're trout fishing and need to cast a short way into the stream. Rather than imitate an overhand cast, though, begin at the right side of the chest and angle out slightly to the right (left-handers can simply reverse the directions). Extend your arm away from your body, keeping your elbow bent, and flick your hand sharply outward. Snap! The loose rib will strike the fixed one with an authoritative crack when you get it right. This particular sound means business, and its performance is the most difficult-to-master movement in bone playing. Don't be discouraged if the clappers slip out of place at first and your snap is unimpressive. Just be persistent, and practice ’til you get it right.
The Triplet: Lesson Three
Once you've mastered the basic snap, you can get to work on a more advanced motion that involves not just the wrist but the entire lower arm. To perform this move, do the basic snap in the usual manner, but then roll your arm back toward you at once — almost as if you were on the trout stream again and doing a series of false casts. The tips of the bones won't move side-to-side much, but your hand will arc back and forth over them. Your wrist and elbow will move in opposite directions as you play. Listen for the sound of click-e-ta, click-e-to in a continuous triple beat. It isn't necessary to fling your arm back and forth or from side to side. A gentle, steady movement will do it. As you get more proficient through practice, you'll be able to vary the meter and the volume of the sound to suit the musical accompaniment.
