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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Washboard
• Wash
• Board
• Honey
• Boy
• Edwards
• Big
• Fat
• Woman
• Blues
• Atlanta
• Little
• Brother

[diminishedchord]

im a lefty and my wife bought me a beutiful wash board for my birthday today.... have you any tip for a begginer. I am a musician and play many things but i am struggling to get that rich sound yyou have. Mine is tin not brass. P.S great playing and great choice oof song!

[LittleBrotherBlues]

@diminishedchord thank you and I'd love to help. In reality I'm not your typical washboard player but there are some web sites dedicated to learning various ways. I listen on the 1 and 3 beats to synchronize with the other musicians and hear them then I emphasize the 2 and 4 beats harder and lay back relaxed as possible. You will probably have to buy a number of washboards to find one with tone you want. Brass is warmer for sure.

[WolfySnackrib666]

Give us a washboard solo!!

[LittleBrotherBlues]

I would have but my white legs were dominating the mix! ;)

[mewrth]

Wonderful! I'm gonna try it rightaway! I also play mine with a plectrum to get a guiro-like effect while playing a headed tambourine with the other hand. Thanks again

[LittleBrotherBlues]

You're very welcome :)

[marchica1]

you can't do this with a wash machine!

thanks.

[rattusvulpes]

I always wondered what playing the washboard sounds like. This is very impressive.

[reckonimokie]

This is the best washboard clip on the internet.  Thanks for posting.

[mgwildhare]

You make sum mighty fine music with that there washboard.

[llamedica]

This is awesome! So glad I found this. Thanks for the inspiration from a percussionist in Maryland.

[H0LL0WBELLY]

top notch man.Loved it.

[FindingYourChad]

@LittleBrotherBlues hahahahahahaha. Oh my goodness.

You are blowing my mind right now. I'm a younger musician, more of a full kit player.

It's been 5 great years and I'm just now finding out about this washboard stuff.

I'm a folk acousticish bluegrass project and it's been really hard to discover that right pair of sticks, head tenshion, technique, and just what style of drumming to apply to the situation. Any ideas on how to get that trucking snare sound with the shuffley 16th note feel?

[jasoneric]

I have a question for you Littlebrotherblues: You said you dont use thimbles, but what do you use then? I really dont know much about washboard yet, but I love bluegrass music and one of my favorite bands 'Donna the Buffalo' use washboard.

[Eggozoid]

this is just great

[msrrautela]

Freakin' awesome! One of the best things I have seen lately! \m/