About the ODD Instruments
|
| Home Band Instruments CD MP3s Gigs Book_Us |
The ODDTONES employ a variety of unusual instruments with which many folks are not familiar. Below is a bit of information about some, but not all, of these.
|
Trump (Jew's Harp, Juice Harp, Jaw Harp) The Jew's Harp is a small musical instrument which is held against the teeth or lips, and plucked with the fingers. |
Go here for more information: |
| Known by over 900 names, it has appeared in most cultures of the world in one form or another. Trumps of bone, wood, or other organic materials have been in use for thousands of years. Iron or steel trumps may date back to before Roman times. | ||
 Most of the Didj's The ODDTONES use are made by us. The others are handmade gifts from friends and local artists. |
Didjeridu (Yidaki, Yirdaki, Didjeridoo, Didgeridoo)
|
Go here for more information: |
| Considered
one of the oldest known mouth instruments, the didjeridu is usually referred to as an
Australian aboriginal relic. There it is cut from trees hollowed out by termites , or, by
some accounts, in some regions made from bamboo. It is a major implement in the
"dream culture" of the aboriginal peoples. It has been recently suggested that perhaps other cultures have employed some form of the didjeridu, made from whatever local materials were available. The petroglyphs found in the American Southwest of Kokopelli suggest a hunched figure holding a long pipe up to its mouth. It is possible that this figure was playing a hollow agave cactus stalk which grows in the area and makes fantastic didjeridus. The Tibetans and Swiss also play long metal horns which greatly resemble didjeridus. Similarly, the Hebrew Shofar and the Hawaiian conch shell are played in a like manner. |
||
|
Ashiko, Djembe (African hand drums) Ancient drum designs from North and West Africa |
| ^ The Ashiko: a drum design from North Africa and Asia. It is conical in shape, made of wood, and covered with a head of hide, usually of goat or deer. Wayland built this one of mostly oak and ash. | |
|
Go here for more information: |
| ^ The Djembe (pronounced GEM-bay) is goblet shaped, usually made of African Mahogany with a head of goatskin. This one is from the Susu tribe of Gambia. (purchased from Ben Pursley of DRUM CENTRAL in Boise.) | |
|
Clackamore by Wayland Harman A percussive trump. This instrument, held lightly to the lips, produces a wonderful array of wood block sounds with mouth and throat controlled pitch. Designed, delveloped, and patented by Wayland. |
Go here for more information: |
 |
MouthBows by Wayland Harman |
| Go here for more information: |
|
Nose Flute (Humanatone, Nose Whistle)
|
Go here for more information: |
 |
Waterphone by Richard Waters
|
Go here for more information: |
 |
||
| Designed, delveloped, and patented by Richard
Waters of Hawaii, this unusual bowed instrument can be heard on many movie
soundtracks. It is reknowned for its eeire, suspense-filled qualities. Wayland traded mouthbows and other items for a "good one" from Richard. |
||
| Assorted Percussion |
Other Unusual
Instruments The ODDTONES Use: Rain Stick Waterjar Kalimba |
