Damon Mcknight
The instruments used in Australian bush bands vary from the fiddle, accordion, guitar, banjo, mandolin, concertina, and harmonica to the more unconventional ones like the lagerphone, bush bass (tea chest bass), and double bass. Some instruments like the tin whistle, bones, spoons, and musical saw are made from easily available materials like tin-plated iron, wood, and sheep herding tools. The washtub bass, also known as the gutbucket, is another instrument used in bush bands, which uses a metal washtub as a resonator and has a single string whose pitch is adjusted by changing the tension.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common instruments | Fiddle, accordion, guitar, banjo, mandolin, concertina, harmonica, lagerphone, bush bass (tea chest bass), double bass, tin whistle, bodhrán |
| Less common instruments | Piano, bones, barcoo dog, spoons, musical saw |
| Rarely used instruments | Electric bass guitar, electric guitar |
| Tin whistle construction | Two pieces of tin-plated iron with rolled edges |
| Bones construction | Rib bones; modern versions use hardwood |
| Spoons construction | Improvised |
| Barcoo dog construction | Rattler |
| Washtub bass resonator | Metal washtub |
| Washtub bass strings | Usually one, but can have four or more |
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What You'll Learn
Making a tin whistle from tin-plated iron
The tin whistle, also known as the penny whistle, is a popular instrument in Australian bush bands. Here is a guide on how to make a tin whistle from tin-plated iron:
First, it is helpful to understand how a whistle produces sound. When you blow into a whistle, the mouthpiece is blocked, creating a narrow channel for the air, which increases the pressure. This pressure creates turbulence as it moves through the whistle, causing vibrations that resonate at a particular frequency, resulting in the sound you hear. By covering and uncovering the holes in the whistle, you can change the size of the resonating chamber, allowing you to play different notes.
Now, let's gather the materials and tools. You will need a piece of tin-plated iron tubing, a hardwood block for the mouthpiece, a drill or miniature files for creating the holes, and a saw for cutting the tubing to the desired length. If you want to create a fipple (a type of mouthpiece), you may also need copper pipe and wood or plastic for the fipple.
Next, decide on the key of your whistle. If you are not aiming for a specific key, you can cut the tubing to any length you like, keeping in mind that longer pipes will produce lower notes. However, if you want to create a whistle in a particular key, use an online whistle calculator to determine the ideal length and placement of the holes. Remember that you can always shorten the tubing during tuning, but lengthening it is not as easy.
Once you have determined the length and placement of the holes, carefully drill or file them into the tubing. If you are using a fipple, follow a guide or plans specifically for creating a fipple whistle, such as the "Bloody Hand Whistle Plans" mentioned in the Chiff and Fipple forums. Assemble the whistle by attaching the mouthpiece or fipple to one end of the tubing, ensuring a tight fit to create the necessary blockage for air pressure.
Finally, test your whistle by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering and uncovering the holes to play different notes. Adjust the hole sizes or placement if needed to fine-tune your tin-plated iron tin whistle.
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Making 'bones' from hardwood
Bush bands are groups of musicians that play Australian bush ballads, with instruments including the fiddle, accordion, guitar, banjo, mandolin, concertina, harmonica, lagerphone, bush bass, double bass, tin whistle, and bodhrán. Less common instruments include the piano, bones, barcoo dog, spoons, and musical saw.
Bones are a primitive instrument, with the sound produced depending on where one bone hits the other. To make a set of rhythm bones from hardwood, you can follow these steps:
First, select a suitable branch. In most trees, the heartwood, or the older, nonliving central wood, is the best wood to use because it is usually harder. However, using the heart or center core is not recommended due to the inherent tension that may cause cracking. Instead, cut the branch in half at the core, then saw off the edges of each side to create two rectangular chunks for your bones.
Next, cut the desired curve into the bones using a small band saw. Smooth down any rough cuts with a blade rasp, and sand them down to shape with a "Cushion Drum Sander" or similar tool. The thickness of the bones can vary, but most wood bones seem to be around 1/4” to 3/8” thick, with some bone makers tapering one side to be thicker.
Finally, you can decorate your bones as desired. You can paint or stain them, or leave them unfinished. You can also add a finish to protect the wood and improve its durability.
With time and practice, you will learn how to modulate the tone of your bones by tightening or loosening your grip and changing where the bones hit each other.
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Making spoons
Spoons are an improvised instrument used in Australian bush bands. They are not a traditional instrument, and are considered to be more evident in the revival of bush bands than in earlier times.
To make a set of spoons for an Australian bush band, you'll need to source some wood. There are about 5500 native tree species in Australia, and while many of them are tough, some are great for carving. Native cherry, for example, is soft, hardy, and has a beautiful white, pink, and purple colour. It's great for carving spoons, even when the wood is dry. Norfolk Island Pine is another good option—it's soft and easy on the hands, with a nice straw colour and stripy grain. Just be sure to keep an eye on it as it dries, as it can go mouldy. If you want to buy wood rather than forage it, you can buy off-cuts of Huon pine from sawmills licensed to harvest trees from lake and river beds. Huon pine is incredibly slow-growing and long-lived, so it's important not to chop these trees down.
Once you've got your wood, you'll need some tools. A sharp axe is a must, but you can also use a blunted butter knife or a sloyd knife. You'll also want to put on some protective gear, like a crash helmet, body armour, and knuckle wraps.
With your tools and materials ready, you can start carving your spoons. The process will depend on the type of wood you've chosen and the tools you're using, but with the right techniques and a bit of practice, you'll be able to create a unique set of spoons to use in your Australian bush band.
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Making a bush bass (tea chest bass)
The washtub bass, also known as the gutbucket, is a stringed instrument used in American folk music. It uses a metal washtub as a resonator and traditionally has a single string, the pitch of which can be adjusted by changing the tension by pushing or pulling on a staff or stick. The washtub bass was used in jug bands popular in some African American communities in the early 1900s. A variant of the washtub bass, the tea chest bass, was used by British skiffle bands in the 1950s.
To make a bush bass (tea chest bass), you will need:
- A tea chest or similar wooden box
- A piece of wood for the neck, approximately 1 metre long and 5-8 cm wide
- A length of strong string for the string(s)
- A small piece of wood for the bridge
- Tuning pegs (optional)
Start by cutting a hole in the centre of the tea chest, large enough to accommodate the resonator. The resonator can be made from a metal washtub or a piece of bark or animal skin stretched over a frame. Attach the resonator to the tea chest with glue or nails.
Next, drill a hole in the centre of the tea chest base and insert the end of the neck through it. The neck should be long enough to reach from the base of the tea chest to the player's waist when held comfortably. Secure the neck in place with glue or nails.
Now, attach the string(s). If using a single string, thread it through a hole in the bridge and tie it securely. Stretch the string up the neck and over the playing area, then attach it to a tuning peg or similar mechanism at the end of the neck. If using multiple strings, attach them in a similar way, ensuring they are tuned to the desired pitch.
Finally, decorate your bush bass with paint, stickers, or other embellishments as desired. Your instrument is now ready to play!
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Making a barcoo dog rattler
A barcoo dog is a sheep-herding tool used as a sistrum in Australian bush bands. To make a barcoo dog rattler, you'll need some basic materials and tools. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Materials and Tools:
- A small piece of wood, preferably hardwood, for the handle
- A thin metal strip for the rattling frame
- Several small metal rings or washers for the rattles
- A small piece of leather or strong fabric for the strap
- Nails or strong adhesive
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Saw
- Sandpaper
Making the Handle:
Start by cutting the hardwood to size, shaping it into a comfortable handle that fits your hand. Sand the wood smooth to remove any splinters and create a nice finish. You can stain or paint the handle if desired, or leave it natural.
Creating the Rattling Frame:
Use pliers to bend the thin metal strip into a U-shape, forming the rattling frame. The length of the strip will determine the size of your rattler. Make sure the ends of the strip overlap slightly, and nail or adhesive them together to form a secure joint.
Attaching the Rattles:
Take the small metal rings or washers and slide them onto the metal frame. Space them evenly along the length of the frame. You can use pliers to squeeze the rings tightly together so they don't move around too much.
Assembling the Rattler:
Now, attach the metal frame to the wooden handle. You can nail or adhesive it, ensuring a strong joint. If using nails, be sure to bend the ends over securely with pliers.
Adding the Strap:
Finally, attach the strap. Cut a small piece of leather or strong fabric and create a loop that fits comfortably around your wrist. Secure the ends of the strap to the handle with nails or adhesive.
And there you have it! Your very own barcoo dog rattler, ready to be used in your Australian bush band. Just remember to practice those sheep-herding skills too!
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Frequently asked questions
Some instruments used in Australian bush bands include the fiddle, accordion, guitar, banjo, mandolin, concertina, harmonica, lagerphone, bush bass, double bass, tin whistle, and bodhrán.
The bush bass, also known as the tea chest bass or washtub bass, is a stringed instrument that uses a metal washtub or tea chest as a resonator. It is a variation of the ground bow or ground harp, which uses a piece of bark or animal skin stretched over a pit as a resonator.
The traditional design of the bush bass is simple, low-cost, and easy to make. To make a bush bass, you will need a metal washtub or tea chest, a piece of wood for the neck, a string, and tuning pegs. The string is attached to the neck, which is then attached to the resonator, and the pitch can be adjusted by adding tuning pegs and changing the tension on the string.
Some other homemade instruments used in Australian bush bands include the bones, made from rib bones or hardwood; the spoons, made from wood or metal; and the barcoo dog, a sheep herding tool used as a rattler.
Some modern variations of the bush bass include the electric one-string, which amplifies the sound using a pickup, and the magic pipe, played by One Guy.
