If you want to spend even less, you can also look into do it yourself options. Because rhythm bones originated as a folk instrument, many players still make their own for almost no cost. Check out our Make or Buy page.
Which material is right for me?
Step 3. Master The Basics
It is time to Master the Basics which are; how to hold them, play a Tap, and play the Triplet using one of the best teaching videos. Describe why selected. After the video we will review the steps. It is amazing what you can do with just the basics.
Link to video, such as Dom’s first one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMokBr9cTxM
or second – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9I9rr6HBSA
Dom is a really good player isn’t he, and he has exposed rhythm bones to so many people that we consider him an Ambassador of Rhythm Bones. Let us review:
How to Hold – Place the first bone, called the stationary bone, between your index and middle finger with about an inch protruding above your fingers. Hold the bones against the palm of your hand using the middle finger.
Then place another bone, called the movable bone, between the middle and ring finger, also with about an inch protruding above the fingers. Tighten or loosen the pressure of your ring finger until the bone moves freely back and forth. This is one problem area using enough pressure so the bone swings back and forth but doesn’t fall out of your hand. It is difficult because you are using lots of pressure with the middle finger holding the stationary bone and at the same time less pressure holding the movable bone.
There are other ways to hold the stationary bone – players with a Celtic background hold the stationary bone between thumb and index finger.
Play a Tap – Your forearm should be horizontal in front of your torso. Bend your wrist so that it forms a right angle With your forearm. Rotate your wrist outward as if you are turning a door knob. When your hand stops rotating, the movable bone strikes the stationary bone producing a single click.
Triplet – The rhythm bones triplet is difficult to describe in words. The motion you saw in the video is often described as like washing a window where the motion is a continuous back and forth. There are three distinct sounds with each back and forth movement.
So What is Next
Play with both hands. Transfer what you have learned from probably your dominant hand to your non-dominant hand. This should be straight forward except it is your non-dominant hand which makes it a bit harder.
Learn the double (or duplet) – Lots of music is in 4/4 time and the Double is very useful.
As in a Tap, rotate your hand outward for one click and rotate it back for the second click.
Drummer’s style. What you have learned so far is the Basic or Traditional style of playing rhythm bones. Think about a drummer who has a drumstick in each hand and makes taps by hitting the drum surface. You can make Taps now, and you can play many of the drum rudiments. Intermediate and Advanced rhythm bones player incorporate both styles into their playing style. Do we link to Edmunds videos??
Other resources. Our Learn to Play‘ page with many more resources including workshop videos.
Practice. As with any musical instrument it takes practice to be good. Find music you like and practice. You could be really good in a few months.
insert page 8 table of genres of music with links to best. The Media Exhibit is one of the largest collection of rhythm bones recordings.
Step 4. Connect with the Rhythm Bones Community
Come to a Bones Fest which is described as a family reunion with family you didn’t know you had. Try different rhythm bones at the Bones Marketplace. Attend workshop to learn more technique. Jam with players of all levels of skill. It is a non competitive environment and you can perform on stage. Meet some of the nicest people (Click HERE for a profile of many of our members and others). Click HERE for Highlights from the recent Bones Fest XXX. Click HERE to see highlights from all the Bones Fests.
Our website is the largest source of rhythm bones information in the world with information about playing the instrument and an Online Museum for everything else.
The rhythm Bones Player newsletter has current and historical information and is cataloged and housed in the Library of Congress. Read the latest newsletter with Highlights from Bones Fest XXX.
Join the Rhythm Bones Society and help us share our unique instrument with the world.
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