Bones and Percussion

[Legba]

I have not seen a lot of info on this instrument that has a great history.
I make mine from Wood, and different ribs (cow, Elk, buffalo) and enjoy them quite a bit. I play both one and two handed.
Wood
Bone

Here's' a shot of a different set in my right hand in playing position. These are pretty thin.
Notice for playing that the middle finger keeps the one bone stationary and the ring finger is lightly touching the moving bone.


Here's some info from World-beats.com.
Second to that of the human voice, "bones" are the oldest Irish percussion instruments and instruments in general, known to man. 2.5 million years ago, bones, stones and wood, then used as tools, were also one of our first forms of musical instruments. Idiophones, like the Irish percussion instruments the bones and spoons, are instruments that produce their sound from the substance of the instrument itself. Similar styles of playing bone, wood and even stone are found all over the world stretching from South India to Mongolia, to the six Celtic regions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Bretagne, France and Asturias-Spain. To hold and play the Irish percussion instrument, two bones are cradled in one hand and balanced vertically while the forearm and hand produce a rotating and waving motion, allowing the bones to pendulum and strike each other producing sound.

[Kilted Rogue]

Great info, thanks for posting
You said you make your own bones, do you sell them? or just for personal fun. I play Bodhran, and i am taking a bones class next summer, would love to practice a little before hand.

[Legba]

Great info, thanks for posting
You said you make your own bones, do you sell them? or just for personal fun. I play Bodhran, and i am taking a bones class next summer, would love to practice a little before hand.

Just for fun, I make many different items but have never sold any. If I made any money then it would not be any fun. I give many of my carvings, drums, toys and such away. The others I store in boxes as I am too shy to offer them for money. I tease my wife that when I die she can retire after her dead artist sale!

As for bones, they are so EZ to make it would be somewhat silly to buy them. If you look at the pictures I'm sure you could make some that are far nicer than the ones posted.

I'm very impressed that you are taking a bones class as I pretty much thought it was a lost art.

[Kilted Rogue]

the drummer that will be teaching my class is going to be offering bodhran, bones,and spoons. I am looking fwd to it. As for making them my self, naa i have all the intentions for making things, but in the end, it never quite comes out right.

[Legba]

Some of my favorite stuff is the stuff that did not achieve my vision, but just happened to become something better!
I'll post a Bohdran drum I made from a Bear hide as well.