Bone FAQs
A bone picking guide for the rest of us
Which Bones are Best for a New Player?
I think it makes practical sense for a new player to get a low-cost "starter" pair such as Joe Birl Bones. You will probably also want a second pair of some other kind of bones. Since Joe Birl bones produce a soft tone, my recommendation for a second pair are any bones in a medium tone wood. You can round out your initial collection by choosing a third pair made from a strong tone material. Equipped with this assortment, you can sample bones from all three tone groups (soft, medium and strong) which are listed at the bottom of this page.
But like other things in life, if you ask ten different bone players what kind of bones are best for a new player, you will get ten different answers.
For example, David Holt demonstrates how to play bones using instruments similar to the natural ox rib bones I make and sell. Mine are expensive ($40/pair) and I think they are too bulky and cumbersome for novice players. But folks have been playing natural rib bones since prehistoric times so they must be okay to learn on. Whatsmore, the rib bones on David's video look homemade. And I think it is kind of cool to play a set of bones that were last night's dinner. Dave's video was made in 1996 and I have heard no complaints about it. I do consider Joe Birl bones toy-like. These are the bones with Joe's patented "easy grip" grooves. Well, my first set was a pair of Joe Birl bones - and I eventually developed into a skilled player. No, I do not play them much anymore. But my good friend Spike Bones is an expert player who absolutely adores them. I favor medium weight "flat" (i.e. less oval) bones such as Shooting Star and Whamdiddle for both new and advanced players. However, tens of thousands of people learned to play on Danforth minstrel style bones which are oval.
The Bottom Line
Just about any bones are okay for a new player. The hard part is finding a teacher to help you play them.
Which How-To Video is Best for Me?
Any of the videos below will help you get started. Either of the first two videos are perfect for new players. The second two are especially great if you want to learn to play jigs.
To Get You Started
Mister Bones VHS
My hands-down favorite video for a beginning player is "Mister Bones" by Percy Danforth. No other video offers such a comprehensive combination of insider tips, in-depth instruction on how to play various musical styles, plus first-hand commentary on the history of rhythm bones. The video is 20-years-old but still the benchmark "how to play the bones" recording. The producer has been promising a DVD release for years, and I had plans to stock the video as soon as it is released. The VHS version was widely available online. But unfortunately, the video has now disappeared from the marketplace.
Folk Rhythms DVDThe most entertaining how-to-play-the-bones video is this recording by David Holt. David represents five generations of bone players, and his distinguished career in traditional music began as a bone player. Besides being a delightful entertainer, David Holt is a natural and gifted teacher. Although the section on bones runs only around seven minutes, the instruction is so clear and precise that you are sure to get a lot out of it. In short, the video is fun to watch, the teaching is top-notch, and you learn how to play five folk instruments (spoons, bones, washboard, hambone, paper bag).
To Learn Jigs and Irish Style
Bodhran and Bones VHSThis video by Mel Mercier is around 15 years old and still the best place to learn how to play the one-hand Irish style. Mel is an accomplished musician, he sits on the Board of Directors of the Rhythm Bones Society, and he is one of the most warmhearted people you will ever meet. Last time I checked he was about to get a doctorate in ethnomusicology at University College Cork in Limerick. Mel was introduced to bones at an early age by his father, Peadar, who played bodhran and bones ten years with the famed Irish band, The Chieftains. I plan to carry Mel's video soon.
Bones From the Beginning DVDThe training on this DVD is basic enough for the newest newbie, yet advanced enough to keep you coming back again and again for years. You start by learning the two basic grip holds. Then before you know it, you are cranking out taps and triplets and downbeats and upbeats alongside Aaron Plunkett, a multi-ethnic percussionist who appeared with the Irish band in the hit film, "Titanic." This is the most in-depth bones tutorial DVD on the market - more than one full hour of extensive hands-on instruction. So if you want thorough video instruction on how to play Irish jigs and reels in the two-handed American style, then get this DVD. All in all, this is an exceedingly rare and comprehensive, though rather pricey ($45) recording.
Which Bones are Best for My Skill Level?
Virtually any bones will work at any skill level. I recently met a classmate of my 11-year-old and gave him a set of Joe Birl wooden bones. Within a couple hours he put the Joe Birl "starter" bones aside and was happily clacking away on a set of "professional" black slate bones.
Should I Get Bones that Resonate Loud or Soft or Somewhere In-between?
The legendary Percy Danforth would tell you to get pine. Although you can get Danforth bones in nine varieties of wood, Percy made it clear that he liked pine the best because it produces a relatively quiet tone.
Many players, including myself, prefer maple because it produces a nice warm tone. But I also enjoy playing bones made of all kinds of materials. And I like to mix and match them too. So it would not be unusual to see me play a wooden bone with a rib bone. Or sometimes a knife, fork or spoon - or even a pumpkin stem!
There are situations when you need to play loud. Other times you need to play quietly. I have seen the crowd go wild when the bones play relatively soft, then when the music calls for it, they rattle loud for effect. So I agree with many advanced players who recommend that you learn to play quietly, no matter what material you choose. So go get that set of resonant ebony bones if you want to, but your playing will shine when you can play them both soft or loud.
The Bottom Line
Your choice of resonance is a matter of personal taste. So experiment, have fun, but learn to make those bones play both quietly and loud.
Should I Learn to Play with One Hand or Two?
The traditional American style is a remnant of the minstrel era
- which is playing flamboyantly with both hands. The traditional Irish style is playing reservedly with one-hand. Neither style is better. But they are different.
Two-handed playing enables you to add more color to the sound. And two-handed playing can achieve syncopated beats that one-handed playing cannot.
One-handed playing enables you to perform intricate motions in an energetic (yet discreet) manner that two-handed playing cannot. For example, some hot-driving Irish tunes demand an intensity where a second hand just gets in the way and throws you off balance. At those times I draw one hand in and play only the dominant one.
How Do You play With Two hands?
Here's how to play with both hands:
Once you get the hang of a lick with your dominant hand, then try it with your other hand. Try one hand alone, then try the other hand alone, then both hands at the same time. It will come and it will go. Kind of like the first time you try riding a bike. You fall, then you coast a little bit, then you fall again. Eventually, with practice, you get better and better. The process never stops. Years from now, if you keep at it, you will amaze yourself with new techniques you keep discovering.
What is the difference between a Pair and a Set of Bones?
One pair equals 2 bones. That is what you need for one hand.
One set is composed of two pairs (4 bones). This is what you need for two-hand playing.
1 Pair = 2 bones (enough for one hand)
1 Set (2 pairs) = 4 bones (enough for two-hand playing)
A big thank you to long-time player Hank Tenenbaum who straightened me out on this.
By the way, one set of Traditional Chinese Kuai Ban equals 7 clappers of course, but that's another story.
Which Bones are Best for Experienced Players?
This online store is a candy shop for bone players. So unless you are looking for something in particular, why not treat yourself to a surprise! All the flavors are yummy, so don't be afraid to close your eyes and point. And if you cannot decide between "chocolate" or "strawberry," then just flip a coin. I have never met a set of bones I didn't like. So no matter what goodies go into your shopping bag, you really can't make a wrong choice.
WARNING: Players afflicted with BAD (Bones Acquisition Disorder) should disregard the above paragraph.
With few exceptions, musical bones are pretty much the same. After all, they are little more than a couple sticks you hold in your hand and shake back and forth.
This store offers the world's largest selection of musical bones. Thank goodness picking through a cornucopia of bones is a task most players face with delight. But how do you sift through all the different kinds? The Bone Picker makes that job a real joy. It sorts bones by category so it is easier to find what you want:
Metal
Natural Bone
Plastic
Slate
Vintage
Wood
More categories are in the works--
ColorPhysics (density, hardness, specific gravity)Tone (high, low, medium, powerful, resonant, sharp)
Which Material Produces What Bone Tone?
Bone tonality is essentially a corollary of hardness and density. Most folks might agree with the dynamics below. Your particular set of bones may vary.
Soft
Characterized as quiet or dull. Yes, bones can be subtle...and these materials help you achieve it.
- Maple (Favored by many players for its warm tone)
- Pine (Clear favorite of the legendary Percy Danforth)
- Slate (thick)
- Cedar (Strong, lightweight - repels bugs!)
Medium
Not too strong, not too soft. Great fun to play with.
- Bubinga
- Butcher Block
- Canary
- Cherry
- Lacewood
- Laminates
- Mahogany
- Oak
- Poplar
- Slate (black, purple, red)
- Tan Oak
- Teak
- Walnut
- Zebrawood
Strong
Usually considered loud, sharp or powerful. But can also be rather soft depending on your playing technique.
- Bamboo
- Cocobolo
- Ebony (First choice of Mister Bones during the minstrel era)
- Hickory
- Metal (Bones that go clankety-clank)
- Michigan Ironwood
- Natural Rib Bone (Hollow center creates rich resonant tone)
- Natural Shin or Whale Bone (Solid bone produces distinctive sharp tone)
- Padauk
- Plastic
- Pernambuco (Hard, lightweight - and extremely rare wood prized for fiddle bows)
- Purpleheart
- Rosewood (Popular wood during the minstrel era)
- Slate (green, grey)
- Tulipwood
- Wenge
- Ziricote
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