THIS IS NOT A QUIZ but I'd like to know what this instrument is.
This was in
today’s paper: “The ‘ hand clapping’ on the backbeat of the Supremes tune ‘Baby Love’ is actually the sound of two-by-fours attached with strings, which someone jumped on to create the noise.” Anybody ever played one of these?
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:23 am
I may have accidentally played one of those when I worked on a framing crew in 1970-71. We didn’t have nail guns in those days–we used a primitive instrument called a “hammer”. It sounds like two-by-fours attached with strings, rather than a true musical instrument, but it also sounds like something that composer/inventor Harry Partch might have come up with.
May 3rd, 2007 at 10:06 am
It’s called a “hammer”. Tools as instruments or instruments as tools. Wouldn’t want to chop wood with a Les Paul though.
May 3rd, 2007 at 10:10 am
Oh, and that must be where “chops” came from. (negative 5 points)
May 4th, 2007 at 6:47 am
I’m trying to imagine what you describe would actually look like???? I could see how slapping two pieces of wood together flat against each other would give a clapping sound, but, where does the strings and jumping on them come in?….. Maybe too many drugs in the recording studio….. eh?…..
May 4th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Oh, yeah, Anon, are you giving yourself a “negative 5 points” for the “chops” comment?……
May 4th, 2007 at 10:52 am
I thought I’d give myself negative 5 before you did.
The description in the paper was a little lacking. I pictured a series of hinged 2x4s connected by string, somehow, so that jumping on one would simultaneously slap all together. I’m afraid it’s one of those things lost to history.
May 4th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Sounds like a Phil Spector and his “Wall of Sound” type thing….. I’m not sure if he produced any of “The Supremes” songs, but, he did do a lot of the “Motown” recordings…..
May 4th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Speaking of Phil, I wonder how his trial is going.
May 5th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
I have been following it on Court TV, If I was a jurist at this point I would vote for conviction, The judge is allowing all of the previous attacks in as evidence, 5 in all and all of the previous victims are going to testify, His lawyer is trying to put forth that she committed suicide, and hearing his opening I would say I don’t think so. I’m just afraid this is gonna turn into another OJ/Robert Blake fiasco.