Monkey stick
Encyclopedia
The mendoza, mendozer, monkey stick or lagerphone, is a traditional English
percussion instrument
, widely used in folk music
. The origins of the name are not known but it is believed to stem from an association with one of the many Gypsy, Spanish
and Italian
buskers
who were popular in London
in the Victorian era
.
This instrument is constructed from a stout pole affixed to a heavy boot
at the base. Metal "jingles", commonly beer-bottle tops, are fastened at intervals along the shaft. When played on a wooden floor (common in ale-house
s) the sound produced is a combination of a bass drum
and tambourine
. It can also be played with an additional small notched or serrated stick held in the other hand, allowing it to not only be shaken or hammered onto the ground, but also "bowed" to produce a combined clicking and rattling sound.
The name "monkey stick" comes from a modern practice: in homage to the trained monkeys formerly used by buskers to solicit money from passers-by, a number of musicians have taken to fixing a small stuffed toy monkey
to the tops of their instruments.
In Australia
, this instrument constructed with beer-bottle tops is known as a lagerphone, a variation of the traditional aboriginal
instrument using shells. The same name and construction is found in New Zealand
.
In Newfoundland
, it is referred to as an "ugly stick
." In the Dutch province Friesland
this type of instrument is known as a 'kuttepiel'. In the American upper-midwestern states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, the closely related stumpf fiddle or pogocello originated in Czech communities and adds small cymbals, strings, and a drum.
The variation of this instrument
called the ‘Zob Stick’ was constructed and named in 1968 by percussionist and songwriter
Keef Trouble
of the band
Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts
and Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs
. It is now, with the term ‘Lagerphone,’ the most commonly used name for this instrument. The Brett Marvin invented term ‘Zob’ was taken from an old risqué UK naval term that has the same meaning in French
. The Keef Trouble
‘Zob Stick’ is distinguished by the addition of a sprung-boot
attached to the bottom of the pole and a metal sleeve round its centre, this being hit with a serrated wooden stick.
Contemporary bands, such as Groanbox and Zapoppin'
, have also incorporated the Monkey stick into their recordings and live shows.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
percussion instrument
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...
, widely used in folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
. The origins of the name are not known but it is believed to stem from an association with one of the many Gypsy, Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
buskers
Busking
Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities, which are generally in the form of money and edibles...
who were popular in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
.
This instrument is constructed from a stout pole affixed to a heavy boot
Boot
A boot is a type of footwear but they are not shoes. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle and extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece....
at the base. Metal "jingles", commonly beer-bottle tops, are fastened at intervals along the shaft. When played on a wooden floor (common in ale-house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
s) the sound produced is a combination of a bass drum
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
and tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
. It can also be played with an additional small notched or serrated stick held in the other hand, allowing it to not only be shaken or hammered onto the ground, but also "bowed" to produce a combined clicking and rattling sound.
The name "monkey stick" comes from a modern practice: in homage to the trained monkeys formerly used by buskers to solicit money from passers-by, a number of musicians have taken to fixing a small stuffed toy monkey
Monkey
A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
to the tops of their instruments.
In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, this instrument constructed with beer-bottle tops is known as a lagerphone, a variation of the traditional aboriginal
Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
instrument using shells. The same name and construction is found in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
In Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, it is referred to as an "ugly stick
Ugly stick
The ugly stick is a traditional Newfoundland musical instrument fashioned out of household and tool shed items, typically a mop handle with bottle caps, tin cans, small bells and other noise makers...
." In the Dutch province Friesland
Friesland
Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...
this type of instrument is known as a 'kuttepiel'. In the American upper-midwestern states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, the closely related stumpf fiddle or pogocello originated in Czech communities and adds small cymbals, strings, and a drum.
The variation of this 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...
called the ‘Zob Stick’ was constructed and named in 1968 by percussionist and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Keef Trouble
Keef Trouble
Keef Trouble is an English composer, singer and musician.-Keef Trouble: Career:Trouble studied at The Slade School of Fine Art, London, from 1968 to 1972...
of the band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts
Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts
Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts, formed in 1968, is now an occasionally performing British pub and club blues band. Band members Jona Lewie, Graham Hine, Keith Trussell, and John Randall are perhaps better known for their record Seaside Shuffle which reached #2 in the UK charts in 1972 under the...
and Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs
Terry Dactyl and The Dinosaurs
Terry Dactyl and The Dinosaurs was an English novelty band, that issued a few recordings in the early 1970s. The band name was especially created for Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts to promote the hit single "Seaside Shuffle"; band members being Jona Lewie ; Keef Trouble ; Graham Hine ; John...
. It is now, with the term ‘Lagerphone,’ the most commonly used name for this instrument. The Brett Marvin invented term ‘Zob’ was taken from an old risqué UK naval term that has the same meaning in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. The Keef Trouble
Keef Trouble
Keef Trouble is an English composer, singer and musician.-Keef Trouble: Career:Trouble studied at The Slade School of Fine Art, London, from 1968 to 1972...
‘Zob Stick’ is distinguished by the addition of a sprung-boot
Boot
A boot is a type of footwear but they are not shoes. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle and extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece....
attached to the bottom of the pole and a metal sleeve round its centre, this being hit with a serrated wooden stick.
Contemporary bands, such as Groanbox and Zapoppin'
Zapoppin'
Zapoppin are an alternative folk and skiffle band from Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. As of 2011 the group consists of Thomas G. J. Sharpe on harmonium, banjo and vocals, and Luke Richards on a stripped-down drum kit and vocals....
, have also incorporated the Monkey stick into their recordings and live shows.
External links
- Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts (Web Site featuring Keef TroubleKeef TroubleKeef Trouble is an English composer, singer and musician.-Keef Trouble: Career:Trouble studied at The Slade School of Fine Art, London, from 1968 to 1972...
and the original 'Zob Stick.')
- http://www.apex.net.au/~keiths/Lagerphones/lagerphones.htm The Lagerphone Pages by Keith Sayers (Canberra March 2010)