Monkey stick

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This article is about the musical instrument. For other uses, see Mendoza (disambiguation).
Monkey stick
Percussion instrument
Other namesMendoza, mendozer, Murrumbidgee river rattler, lagerphone, zob stick
Classification Percussion
Hornbostel–Sachs classification112.12
(Frame rattles)

A monkey stick (also called a mendoza, mendozer, Murrumbidgee river rattler, lagerphone or zob stick)[1] is a traditional English percussion instrument, used in folk music. Some musicians have taken to fixing a small stuffed toy monkey to the tops of their instruments.

The instrument is constructed from a stout pole with metal "jingles" fastened at intervals along the shaft. These are commonly beer-bottle tops with a 1-inch washer in between the tops and the shaft. A boot that might be attached to the base of the pole is a recent 'Zob Stick' addition.

When played on a wooden floor (common in

ale-houses), 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. Bands such as Groanbox, Zapoppin' and Dr. Busker
have incorporated the monkey stick into their recordings and live shows.

Other names and versions

In Australia, this instrument constructed with beer-bottle tops is known as a lagerphone.[1] The same name and construction is found in New Zealand. The town of Brooweena in Queensland, Australia claims to hold the unofficial record when 134 people simultaneously played the lagerphone in 2009.[2]

In

Czech communities and adds small cymbals, strings, and a drum. A similar instrument, the batih, is found in Ukraine
.

The "zob stick" variation of this

naval slang
term for "penis".

  • Instrument labeled Jingling Johnny in England. Lined with jingles made from beer caps.
    Instrument labeled
    beer caps
    .
  • Instrument labeled Jingling Johnny (jingles made from beer caps), and Northumbrian bagpipes at Haworth, England
    Instrument labeled Jingling Johnny (jingles made from beer caps), and Northumbrian bagpipes at Haworth, England
  • 111.242.222. Turkish crescent or Jingling Johnny.
    111.242.222. Turkish crescent or Jingling Johnny.
  • Ugly stick, has beer caps, like lagerphones. Is played with drumstick (like bumbass).
    bumbass
    ).

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 0 908476 07 8
     : Lagerphone or Murrumbidgee River Rattler. An upright pole with two crosspieces upon which are screwed beer bottle tops. The noise is made by hitting the instrument on the floor, at the same time striking the middle section with a solid piece of wood.
  2. ^ "Unofficial lagerphone record set in Brooweena". ABC Wide Bay. Australian Brooadcasting Corporation. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.

External links

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