As part of Smoke on the Mountain, I was looking through my prop boxes.

I found and old fashion washboard.
Along with using it in the play, I thought about using it with one of my puppets.

The puppet I am thinking of has a rod on one of his hands. Dan D. Lion is a soft type puppet. Can anyone think of something that would add a bit of weight( but not too much) to use for the puppet to make a rhymic sound on the washboard? (I use thimbles when I play it)

Thanks in advance.



Harris deutsch
laughologist and nearly normal ventriloquist

Harris,

I am not sure I fully understand what you need, but I am wondering if one of the metal fingerpicks (like dobro players) use would work. I think they come with a split ring so you may be able to easily adjust it. I believe they are available in different sizes too.

Regan

The "device" would go on either the puppets hand or directly on the rod that controls the hand...

Will stop by the music store...and see what they might have...or one of my favorite magic stores....Hardware that is Lowes, Ace..Home Depot....


Regan thanks for the suggestion..

Harris

If the device goes on the rod then the metal pick might just work. They are available for different finger sizes aand they can be adjusted also. The pick part could be easily bent too if the angle is niot just right.

Hope it works Harris. Let us know.

Regan

The latest idea (for possible future purchase) and found through You Tube and Google..

A Zydeco/Washboard Tie....

Wearable and in the category of Nearly Normal.

hmmmmmm

The washboard tie sounds cool.

Yes it is on my think list...

I am also working on a thimble/coin routine to go with it.....

Harris

Just wondering...and thinking out loud as I go...
A small magnet in the puppet's hand and a band of magnetic material on the other side of the washboard material would add some "heft" to the hand, wouldn't it?
Of course...much depends upon the material the washboard's made of and how thick it is.
If it's thin aluminum, the magnet might still pull through it.
Or plastic.
IF the magnet is ATTRACTED to the washboard, though, you might not need the magnets on the bottom.
See, toldja I was thinking about it as I posted.

Harris,

Sounds like you need to talk to David Holt.

Regan

Is Mr. Holt in the States....

Don't know about him or his work..

Of course there are billions that don't know you, quipped Nigel....

Harris,

As far as I know David is in the US. That's where he is from. When you mentioned "Smoke On The Mountain" and a washboard he immediatly came to my mind. He is a storyteller, folk musician and he's very famous around my area. He travels all over and tells stories of Appalacian Heritage and plays a variety of old-timey instruments....many of them homemade.

I had the privilege of playing his "bottle cap tree" percussion instrument with him on stage once. He is really good on his washboard!

Regan

I love my zydeco tie...and also have a glockenspeil...

Both can be played either by myself or a puppet's hand.(with mine inside)
Tried this out a few times at a puppetry workshop last week for a middle school drama class, and an after synagogue gig. Crowds seem to like the sounds/music....


Now if I could get my puppet to really play the harmonica....(I have done the small one in my mouth..as well as other ideas...