Bock-a-da-bock
Encyclopedia
The Bock-a-da-bock is an idiophone
type of musical instrument
in the percussion
family. It is made up of two metal
discs, usually steel
, formed into a domed shape.
. He shaped the discs such that they were 8 centimetres in diameter, and slightly domed. These discs were then mounted on sprung tongs which could be held by the drummer
playing the instrument.
Sometimes the Bock-a-da-bock would have been used to substitute a drum kit. Due to the recording limitations of the 1920s
, drums were not always practical to be included in a recording.
being hit.
, who played it on several Fletcher Henderson records, and Chick Webb, who played it in the song, "Dog Bottom". Zutty Singleton from Louis Armstrong
's Hot Five also played a bock-a-da-bock on Louis' 1928 recording of 'West End Blues
'.
Idiophone
An idiophone is any musical instrument which creates sound primarily by way of the instrument's vibrating, without the use of strings or membranes. It is the first of the four main divisions in the original Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification...
type of musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
in the percussion
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
family. It is made up of two metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
discs, usually steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
, formed into a domed shape.
Origin
The Bock-a-da-bock was invented by orchestral percussionist Billy GladstoneBilly Gladstone
Billy Gladstone , born William Goldstein, was a Romanian-born New York drummer, percussionist, drum builder, inventor, and drum teacher who performed in New York theaters, including the Capitol Theatre and most famously Radio City Music Hall in the 1930s and 1940s.He was perhaps most famous in his...
. He shaped the discs such that they were 8 centimetres in diameter, and slightly domed. These discs were then mounted on sprung tongs which could be held by the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
playing the instrument.
Sometimes the Bock-a-da-bock would have been used to substitute a drum kit. Due to the recording limitations of the 1920s
1920s
File:1920s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: Third Tipperary Brigade Flying Column No. 2 under Sean Hogan during the Irish Civil War; Prohibition agents destroying barrels of alcohol in accordance to the 18th amendment, which made alcoholic beverages illegal throughout the entire decade; In...
, drums were not always practical to be included in a recording.
Use and Technique
That instrument is played with a stick in one hand, while the other (usually the left hand) controls the grip. The two metal discs would then be pushed together to create a sound similar to that of a milk bottleMilk bottle
Milk bottles are bottles used for milk. They may be reusable glass bottles used mainly for doorstep delivery of fresh milk by milkmen. Customers are expected to rinse the empty bottles and leave on the doorstep for collection...
being hit.
Players
Noteworthy players of the bock-a-da-bock are Kaiser MarshallKaiser Marshall
Joseph "Kaiser" Marshall was an American jazz drummer.Marshall was raised in Boston, where he studied under George L. Stone. He played with Charlie Dixon before moving to New York City early in the 1920s...
, who played it on several Fletcher Henderson records, and Chick Webb, who played it in the song, "Dog Bottom". Zutty Singleton from Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
's Hot Five also played a bock-a-da-bock on Louis' 1928 recording of 'West End Blues
West End Blues
"West End Blues" is a multi-strain 12 bar blues composition by Joe "King" Oliver. It is most commonly performed as an instrumental, although it has lyrics added by Clarence Williams....
'.
Songs that use audible Bock-a-da-Bock parts
- "Black and Tan FantasyBlack and Tan FantasyBlack and Tan is a musical short film written by Dudley Murphy that exhibits the ideas and thoughts of The Harlem Renaissance Movement. Duke Ellington's musical talents along with Fredi Washington's extraordinary acting potential make this movie a good example of the emergence of artistic culture...
" by Duke EllingtonDuke EllingtonEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
(1927) - "West End BluesWest End Blues"West End Blues" is a multi-strain 12 bar blues composition by Joe "King" Oliver. It is most commonly performed as an instrumental, although it has lyrics added by Clarence Williams....
" by Louis ArmstrongLouis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
(1928) - "Dog Bottom" by Chick WebbChick WebbWilliam Henry Webb, usually known as Chick Webb was an American jazz and swing music drummer as well as a band leader.-Biography:...
(1929)