Idiophones

Turkish Style of Play:Holding: Place the open concave bowl of the spoon across your palm, so the handle sticks up between your thumb and index fingers, your ring and pinky fingers will hold the back of the spoon in place. Hold the second spoon so the handle is between the index and middle finger and the round backs of the spoons facing each other. For this style of play, two sets are recommended. The Basics: Using your index and middle fingers tap the upper spoon against the lower, similar to castanets. Vary the rhythm, or tap the four handles together to add a contrasting sound.

BonesClappers in the form of rib bones were integral instruments in the music of the butchers of England and Scotland.

Holding: Hold your dominate arm as if taking an oath. Rotate your palm in so your thumb points behind you. Keeping your fingers extended, bend them so they are parallel to the floor. Place one bone between the index and middle fingers, with the concave curve toward you. The second one is held between the middle and ring fingers with the convex curve facing the convex curve of the first bone. Now curl your middle finger so that it lays on the edge of the first bone (the one closest to the thumb). This finger holds the bone so it will not move. Your ring finger lays on the edge of the second bone. This should be held, but allowed to move. As the second bone swings, it will slap into the first.

The Basics: Start with your thumb pointed at your chest, twist your wrist away from you, once; a fast flick of the wrist. The action is like casting a fishing pole, from the wrist, there is no arm movement. The bones will clap against each other. This is the basic slap. Practice this one click until you can do it well and in rhythmic time. The second step, is to flick your wrist forward once, then flick it back. You should get a click of the bones on each flick of the wrist. As you become proficient you can add in a circular motion to the arm as you click the bones back and forth as your arm follows the circular patters. This will allow you to fly through rhythms.

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Idiophones SpoonsAny instrument played by striking parts together is an idiophone. They do not require strings, heads, jingles, or anything at all, to make music. Idiophones can take a number of forms: bones, claves, rhythm sticks, spoons, jester clappers, tick-tocks, stir drums, kokinkos, shakers, maracas, rasps, wagos, and more. If it does not rely on energy transferred by air, membranes, or strings, then it is an idiophone. Idiophones are among the oldest style of musical instruments. Prehistoric rock drawings found in Egypt, depict dancers holding clappers in one hand.

The Greek and Latin words for spoon are derived from cochlea, a spiral-shaped shell; while the Anglo-Saxon word spon, is a chip or splinter of wood. These words support the belief that prehistoric people used shells or chips of wood as spoons

Appalachian, German & Irish Style of Play - Holding: Put one spoon between your index finger and your middle finger, with the round part of the spoon facing up. Wrap your middle finger around the back of the spoon and press the edge of spoon handle against your palm. This spoon will remain stationary. Now, hold the top spoon between your thumb and your first finger, with the round part of the spoon facing down. The top spoon should go across the middle bone of your pointer finger. The pointer finger wraps around the back of the spoon and holds the handle tightly against your palm (just like your middle finger is doing with the bottom spoon).

The thumb should press down on top. Your grip should be firm, but not excessive. There should be a space of about a half an inch between the bottoms of the spoons so that when you hit the spoons, on your leg they will click together. The Basics: Hold your opposite hand, palm down about seven inches above your leg. Bounce your spoons down on your leg and up to your palm; go back and forth. To make a roll, like a trill, spread the fingers of

the opposite hand wide apart and hold them rigid. Run the spoons down across each rigid finger in a rapid motion. After the spoons bounce off each finger, bounce them immediately off your leg and up to your palm. Use this roll as an occasional flourish, always going back to the basic rhythm. You’ve heard this in “Turkey in the Straw”.” Try this pattern: Roll to the leg – Palm – Leg - Roll to the leg – Palm – Leg.

If you are having trouble keeping the spoons in line, hold them a little tighter. Keep your index and middle fingers pressed against the edge of the handles and pressed tightly against your palm. HAVE FUN!!

The Clave (klah-veh) are made of short, thick, wooden dowels. Clave are known for playing the pattern called “clave.” This pattern is intrinsic to Afro-Cuban music and is the basis for many other styles of Latin music. Two types of clave pattern are Son Clave, and Rumba Clave. Son Clave is the most popular form and is notated below.

Technique: Holding the clave properly is vital to the sound production. Take your less dominant hand and hold it open, palm up. Curl in your fingers until there is about half an inch between your fingers and your palm. Lay the first clave along the ends of your fingernails

and trap it against your palm. The cup of your hand creates the resonating chamber. Grip the second clave toward the end, like a regular drumstick, and strike the first clave in the center. When struck they produce a bright clicking noise. The clave do not have specific pitches. The pitch of the instrument can vary while being played. This seemingly basic instrument may provide a modest challenge, but it is worth it.

3/2 Son Clave

2/3 Son Clave

Rhythm Sticks & Claves