Monkey stick facts for kids
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| Percussion instrument | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Mendoza, mendozer, Murrumbidgee river rattler, lagerphone, zob stick |
| Classification | Percussion |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 112.12 (Frame rattles) |
A monkey stick is a fun and unique percussion instrument used in folk music. It's also known by many other names like mendoza, lagerphone, or zob stick. Some musicians even attach a small stuffed toy monkey to the top, which is how it got its most common name!
This instrument is made from a strong pole. Metal "jingles" are attached all along the pole. These jingles are often made from beer bottle caps, with a small washer in between each cap and the pole. Sometimes, a boot is added to the bottom of the pole, especially on a version called the 'Zob Stick'.
When you play a monkey stick on a wooden floor, it makes sounds like a bass drum and a tambourine combined. You can also play it with another small stick that has notches. This lets you shake or hit the monkey stick on the ground, and also "bow" it to create a cool clicking and rattling sound. Bands like Groanbox and Dr. Busker have used the monkey stick in their music.
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Different Names Around the World
The monkey stick has different names and styles depending on where you are.
The Lagerphone in Australia and New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, this instrument, especially when made with beer-bottle tops, is called a lagerphone. The town of Brooweena in Queensland, Australia, even holds an unofficial record! In 2009, 134 people played the lagerphone at the same time there.
Other Unique Versions
In Newfoundland, Canada, a similar instrument is called an "ugly stick". In the Netherlands, in the province of Friesland, it's known as a 'kuttepiel'.
In the American Midwest, especially in Minnesota and Wisconsin, there's a related instrument called the stumpf fiddle or pogocello. This instrument came from Czech communities and can have small cymbals, strings, and even a drum! A similar instrument called the batih is found in Ukraine.
The Zob Stick
The "zob stick" is a special version of this instrument. It was created and named in 1968 by a percussionist and songwriter named Keef Trouble. He was part of the bands Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts and Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs. His zob stick had a springy boot at the bottom of the pole and a metal sleeve in the middle. You could hit this sleeve with a special serrated wooden stick. Today, "zob stick" and "lagerphone" are the most common names for this fun instrument.
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An instrument called a Jingling Johnny from England. It has jingles made from beer caps.
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A Jingling Johnny (with jingles made from beer caps) and Northumbrian bagpipes in Haworth, England.
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A Turkish crescent or Jingling Johnny.
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An Ugly stick from Newfoundland. It has beer caps, like lagerphones, and is played with a drumstick.
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See also
- Turkish crescent
- Bush band
- Ugly stick
- Boomba
