Musical Wasboard Playing
Watching, and of course playing with, other washboard players is really one of the better ways to learn how to play this fine instrument.
When I started playing I didn't have a clue and unfortunately, didn't think of searching the web right away. And even when I did, I didn't think of searching for videos so I didn't find much information on how to play one.
So when I did, I made a website to list the different washboard websites I had found and share ideas as to how to put stuff on my washboard: Jazz Up Your Washboard.
However, many people visiting that site are searching for advice on how to play a washboard, a question that not easily answered although the answer is easy: you tap and scratch!
Yet at first your tapping and scratching doesn't sound like the pros. What are you doing wrong? There must be some secret thing that you still need to find out, right? Sorry, no secret. Washboard playing is all about tapping and scratching, the problem is that it seems really easy and it's actually kind of hard.
But not that hard, with time and lots of practice you too will thrill a crowd with your rhythmic skills! But I can't help more than that. There are many different washboard playing styles and what is good for me, may not be good for you.
Below are a few rubboard playing lessons and and a couple of other links. I've also posted a whole bunch of washboard player videos on my musical washboard videos page. I am still learning a lot by playing with my favorite ones, watching what these great musicians are doing and practicing the patterns I figure out - often with a metronome - on a daily basis. If you do this, little by little your sound is going to change and improve, and it's a great feeling.
And don't be shy, find other musician to play with!
About me
My playing is still a bit sketchy but two years ago, after playing for just a few months, I would never have dreamed that I could do this so just keep on practicing!
How to play the washboard
I truly believe that the answer to that is: any way you want! - although usually you use your hands ;-) It can be taped and it can be rubbed or scraped, you can use thimbles, thimble gloves, spoons, bottle openers, whisks, drum sticks, etc...There are many different music forms that can be improved with a washboard: Blues, Bluegrass, Zydeco, Folk, Jazz, Rock... You can primp up your board or leave it "au natural" like a rubboard.
For the first time player: consider that your two basic possibilities are tapping and scratching. For instance, a simple 4 beat rhythm could be played: "scratch (short and fast), tap, tap, tap" or the variation: "tap, tap, scratch (short and fast), tap". Keep in mind that in both cases the "scratch" needs to take the same amount of time as the "tap".
Otherwise, since a long "scratch" can easily take up the time of two, three or even more "taps" you will need to adjust the pattern to fit the rhythm. Try this for instance: scratch a 2 beat (tap) long "scratch" followed by 2 "taps". "scraaaaaaaaatch, tap, tap, scraaaaaaaaatch, tap, tap..."
If you think you can explain this in a more appropriate way, you are welcome! (send a message) :-)
A metronome is useful to get a feeling for this.
Scratching up gives a different feel than scratching down. Scratching quickly gives a different sound than scratching slowly. Alternate your hands: right, left, right, etc... Meet other players, play with other musicians, play along with recorded music... Practice, practice again and practice some more!
For a beginner the small videos at Tee Don's World of Zydeco (See Below) are really a great place to start! Beware: it looks real simple, but to get that smooth rhythm and feel going may take some time!
Washboard Demo - Big Fat Mama - Honey Boy
Washboard Demo - Big Fat Mama - Honey Boy
Just playing along with Honey Boy to show you my simple yet very effective washboard rig that's highly portable, and very unoffensive to others. I love horns, kazoos and all those things but I've seen them also become over bearing after a short performance. This is more of a subtle way to play washboard that works great for almost any kind of music. When I play at a gig or a jam and there are too many stringed instruments going I have something I can add to the mix and also help those others with much less timing skills than I have. If you have a ham fisted guitar player in the group this washboard and shaking can of rocks not only helps them keep better time but covers up mistakes and melts all the music together like a hot cheese melt. I can also lay way back on the off beats, emphasize the 2 and 4 and really add some dymanics and soul to the whole mix. Great for studio recordings too. See my website for an article on washboards coming up pretty soon. Check out this killer site with great washboard videos and washboard supplies. I am in no way affiliated with them. I just like their site. http://www.squidoo.com/washboards
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Learn to think like a drummer
Jukebox has set up a series of "learn how to play the drums" pages that are a good place to get ideas. Just transpose the Drum Tabs. For instance your woodblock or just the wood part of your washboard could be the "bass" (B), the metal your snare drum, find a cymbal or bell (or two).You can imitate a few of the hi-hat effects by hitting the cymbal while simultaneously damping it with your palm, or damping it after you hit it.
Featured Washboard Player
Jimmy Sweetwater
A local fixture of the San Francisco music scene for over fifteen years, Jimmy Sweetwater has developed a reputation as one of San Francisco's premier washboard and harmonica players, having performed and recorded with numerous Bay Area acts.The washboard his website opens to with the Fender logo "just a joke" is electric, wireless and has one of the more incredible arrays of attachments I have seen: bells, woodblocks, cymbals, so if you need ideas on how to jazz up your board, this is definitely a sight for the eyes too!
It also has examples of Jimmy's expert playing, discography and concert schedule. Check out the songs on his mp3 page.
Scrubboard Design Of The Day
On t-shirts, mug, stickers and more
Skeleton Washboard Player Dark T-Shirt
This cool skeleton washboard player t-shirt design sports a top hat and makes a unique gift for percussionists, blues, jazz, psychobilly and skiffle band musicians who play and love washboards!
More products with the Skeleton Washboard Player design.
4 Basic Washboard & Ruboard Rhythms for Beginners
Basic Blues Zydeco Rubboard Lesson with Tee Don
Learn to play Zydeco Rubboard with Tee Don - Basic Blues
Tee Don Landry, premiere maker and player of the Zydeco rubboard (www.keyofzrubboards.com), and Mister MOJO, of MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies (www.redhotmojo.com), teach you to play the Zydeco Rubboard (Frottoir). The Zydeco Rubboard (Frottoir) is one of only a few instruments invented in America. Originally designed by Clifton Chenier and made by Willie Landry in 1946, the Zydeco Rubboard is in the Smithsonian. Enjoy this piece of American Musical History, learn to play, and have a ball! Rubboards by Tee Don, keyofzrubboards.com . Music by MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies, www.redhotmojo.com .
Basic Shuffle Rubboard Lesson with Tee Don
Learn to play Zydeco Rubboard with Tee Don - Basic Shuffle
Basic Waltz Rubboard Lesson with Tee Don
Learn to play Zydeco Rubboard with Tee Don - Basic Waltz
Basic Zydeco Rubboard Lesson with Tee Don
Learn to play Zydeco Rubboard with Tee Don - Basic Zydeco
Reader Feedback
Please feel welcome to share your advice and comment or criticize mine and I would love to hear from you so please leave your mark!
Yeah, I had planned on just using a guitar strap. And thats how I figured I would attach the can, but i was worried it might dull the sound a bit. I'll figure it out one way or another. hahaha. Thanks a bunch.
Posted May 14, 2008
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Evets
And... Posted May 13, 2008 |
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Evets
Hi Andy, Posted May 13, 2008 |
So I'm just getting into washboard, and I really don't know what size to buy the 2 x 24 or 8 x 18?
I'll be attaching a strap and playing standing up. Also worried about the best way to do that and attach a can?
Posted May 12, 2008
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Evets
Hi Bingo Man, depends, what type of washboard are you using? Posted December 12, 2007 |
Old Time Washboard Playing on Amazon
Whoop It Up! Volume 1: 1927-1929
The cool washboard playing by Floyd Casey on this album is far from the only reason to check out Clarence Williams' Washboard band. Some of the finest small jazz band performances from the Twenties!
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/13/2008)
Sonny Terry's Washboard Band
I'd love to know who the musicians are on this album, no guitar here, just harmonica, bones, washboard and washtub bass and of course Sonny Terry's great signing.
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/13/2008)
Washboard Sam 1936-1947
Washboard Sam is incontestably one of the best know washboard blues players and remains a reference if you are interested in learning how to play this fine instrument.
Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 10/13/2008)
Jimmy O'Bryant's Washboard Band, Vol. 1 (1924-1925)
These recordings of two Chicago clarinetists, Jimmie O'Bryant and Vance Dixon are a lot of fun and there is a lot to learn from listening to Jasper Taylor, the washboard player on most of these tracks
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/13/2008)
All My Washboard Lens In A Glance
Here are the links to my other Musical Washboard Lens:-
Jazz up your Washboard
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Do-it yourself bells and whistles for your musical washboard. This lens is for folks who have just picked up their first washboard, and tries to be the webpage I would have wanted to find when I started playing a few years ago. I truly love this very...
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Musical Washboard Video Showcase
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There is a tradition of "being the clown" still used by washboard players which really isn't as bad as it sounds. Clowns, as everyone knows, are often highly skilled in many ways and to be a clown with a washboard, you need to be an extreme...
Photos of washboard on Flickr
Seaching with tag "washboard" on Flickr
Some of these may even show you how to wash your clothes!
bigbook86
bigbook87
nathan at newport fe...
Vintage Kitchen
Reggie, Philip, Roy...
