Homemade Instruments: Washtub Bass
Continuing in my quest to make jug band musicians out of each and every kid exposed to this blog, I'm going to follow up my previous post on making a cigar box banjo with something to fill out the low end - a washtub bass. This classic hillbilly instrument is easy to make, fun to play, and makes laundry just a little bit harder to do. You need:
- A galvanized metal washtub - get this at your local hardware store.
- A wooden pole - a broomstick works fine here.
- Two metal washers, two nuts, a large eye screw, and a bolt
- A length of medium-weight rope.
- You'll also need a drill and bit that can get through the metal of the washtub.
10 comments
thanks for the instruction on putting together the washtub bass – the picture that is to the right (on this blog) doesn’t seem to correspond to the instruction – what i’m looking at seems to have a foot peddle or something –
do you have a picture of the simple bass? Help
much thanks
Helen
Helen Coyle Bergstein
thanks for commenting! check out this picture – seems to be a little more accurate: http://www.elderly.com/images/new_instruments/200N/WASHTUB_washtub.jpg
Rockabye Baby!
I am interested in making a music garden out of some of your homemade instruments. Could you help me select the right ones that will be interactive for kids. I have a small ramada that these items will be attached to.
Yevette Sykes
Dear Yevette,
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out our post on making a cigar-box banjo:
http://www.rockabyebabymusic.com/blog/2009/04/24/homemade-instruments-cigar-box-banjo/
A google search will turn up lots more resources for making homemade instruments.
Happy strumming!
Rockabye Baby!
[…] Homemade Instruments: Washtub Bass | Rockabye Baby! This classic hillbilly instrument is easy to make, fun to play, and makes laundry just a little bit harder to do. […]
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I see that you have some app postings here, too, so…Also maybe check out our wash tub bass app for iPhone…just search for wash tub bass on the app store! Let us know what you think!
de/creative
Some of us olld huys have been talking about doing this! What size washtub is best? They come in several sizes and I suspect the size has a lot to do with the tone and scale (bigger tub, lower notes?)>>
Gary
You are so interesting! I don’t think I’ve truly read anything like this before.
So good to discover someone with a few genuine thoughts on this issue.
Seriously.. many thanks for starting this
up. This website is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
Lorrie
Great post. I will be facing some of these issues as well.
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