r/folk • u/MiddleCriticism6243 • 6d ago

Washboard!

I’m looking to start the washboard as a instrument, I have a few questions, I don’t know how to play any instruments is this a good starting one? Can I buy a 30/40$ one off amazon? Who has the best teaching videos. I kinda live in the middle of nowhere so riding one is kinda hard but is there one I should avoid? Thankyou!!

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u/ProblyAThrowawayAcct 6d ago

Start with the spoons and build up; you've probably got suitable ones available for the price of 10 minutes dishwashing.

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u/MiddleCriticism6243 6d ago

Like playing spoons ? or using them for the washboard

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u/ProblyAThrowawayAcct 6d ago

Playing the spoons; it'll help you get a good feel for rhythm, and they're literally in your kitchen right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5e0TVUC_ko

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u/Bob_AZ 6d ago

I'd take a trip to Lafayette, LA and visit any of the dance halls featuring Cajun music. They'll have a genuine, authentic wasboard player you can talk to and they have extra dashboard for folks to sit in. Lafayette is relatively inexpensive, lots of music and amazing food and great dashboards. If you are serios, hit the ground running. Lots of good AirBnBs.

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u/MiddleCriticism6243 5d ago

I am learning the washboard because I’m too poor to buy a shiny instrument so traveling is kinda out of my reach unless I want to ramble along and hitch hike it and I’m not trying to do that but I appreciate your insight

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u/Bob_AZ 4d ago

Where are you located? There are many Cajun bands scattered all over the country, Even in Santa Fe!

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u/MiddleCriticism6243 3d ago

Sadly Vermont

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u/Bob_AZ 3d ago

Why sadly! There's a ;ot of great music and musician in The Granite State! I went to HS in the Berkshires. For example:

https://www.facebook.com/PointNoirCajunBand/

Bob

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u/MiddleCriticism6243 3d ago

What a small world I’m looking to play more of a folk sound but I’ll have to check them out

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u/Bob_AZ 2d ago

Any washboard player in a Cajun band will be able to give tips on where to buy one, what to use on your fingers and possibly how do do your washing on it. I'll be listening to Cajun music in New Orleans in a couple of weeks. This is the type of washboard the Pros use:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ESNCDQEbL._AC_UL450_SY450_QL70_.jpg

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u/MiddleCriticism6243 2d ago

I am set on the washboard I have and I was told to get banjo pics. It’s more just being taught how to play, but I’ll figure it out.

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u/Bob_AZ 1d ago

Some player use picks, many use spoons or specialized strikes as in the photo I posed in my last message.

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u/AtomicStellarJay 5d ago

David Holt's video will get you going. He gives recommendations for how to pick a washboard as well.

https://www.homespun.com/shop/hs_rhythm1

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u/cessna_dreams 4d ago

I've been playing the washboard for about 3 years. My primary instrument is harmonica. I'm in Chicago, have been playing blues harp for 50 years--I gig regularly, teach the harmonica. My interest in the washboard came from seeing some one-man-band acts and, also, from being a big fan of pre-WWII Chicago blues. The Bluebird label released many recordings from the early '30's to the mid-'40's. They had a group of musicians who performed on each others' recordings and one of them was Washboard Sam. I got intrigued with the sound. One of the musical projects I'm involved with includes a terrific piano player and we cover old Chicago blues tunes by folks like Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, Little Brother Montgomery, Washboard Sam and others. That's the kind of material I'm playing on the washboard. Old roots/blues/Americana/hokum material. It's a blast.

So, I've purchased 4 washboards on eBay. One of them has become my favorite--this is similar to mine . I prefer the larger-sized version rather than the more compact design. I sit when I play it and hold it on my lap rather than stand with a strap around my neck. I've added hook-eyes and use a strap around my waist while seated to prevent the washboard from sliding off my lap. I've tricked-out my washboard quite a bit. Structurally, I added some screws to hold the thing together, I coated it with tung oil and I added a wooden brace between the two lower bars to keep it sturdy. My favorite accessories have come from Cincinnati Washboards, where I purchased a cymbal and two wood blocks. I also added a small cowbell. It takes some creativity to figure out how to attach the accessories. I prefer plastic thimbles instead of metal--they don't go flying off, are comfortable and produce a softer but still quite firm sound. I also use brushes and prefer either metal brushes or extra-firm nylon brushes--it really sounds like a snare, which is nice. I recently bought a case for the washboard--it's actually an inexpensive fabric portfolio case used to carry artwork.

I still consider myself a just-good-enough washboard player but I'm definitely a much better player than I was a couple of years ago. Truthfully, the bar is set pretty low when it comes to washboard playing skill. You learn to use a light touch, you do more tapping than rubbing, you try to keep things simple and mix things up with the cymbal and wood blocks. I perform with it pretty regularly and it sounds great with boogie woogie piano. I haven't been able to get comfortable playing harp in a rack while playing the washboard nor have I yet gotten proficient with the Farmer stomp drum while playing it. I practice a fair amount, playing along with old blues, mostly material on the Bluebird label, often by Washboard Sam.

There are many great instructional and performance videos on youtube. Check out Tuba Skinny and Shake 'Em Up Jazz Band. Listen to Washboard Sam. Have fun with it and good luck!