Semi-OT: Percussion horse

BillChin · Post by **BillChin** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 6:46 pm

Literally. At my monthly music group, a person has an adorable wood horse with flexible legs. The horse is about six inches high and is attached to a pole. It comes with a flat wood sounding board. To make it go, the horse is dangled above the board and vibrate the board underneath the horse, or wave the pole, or jiggle the legs.

I asked about the horse after the meeting. It is designed primarily for accompanying clog dancers. Mostly the designs are people, with an occasional bear, horses being exceeding rare. The horse accompanied a lap dulcimer and brought a smile to everyone's face. I have never seen anything like it, and an Internet search turns up nothing similar, nothing on Google, nothing on eBay.

I wish I had a picture. The basic concept is a wood horse with flexible jointed legs and a flat board for the horse to sound on. Too cool for words.
+ Bill

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 6:50 pm

Yes. I grew up with such a thing--a little man with painted on overalls whose aptitude for keeping time with the music varied based on who is tapping his dancing board. He still lives with my parents.
This type of thing is most likely available somewhere where handcrafted folk art is sold.

dubhlinn · Post by **dubhlinn** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:05 pm

This type of dancing doll is mentioned in the well known song "Whisky on a Sunday" The Dubliners do a nice version, as do the very underestimated English band The Spinners.

Slan,
D.

toughknot · Post by **toughknot** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:25 pm

emmline wrote: This type of this is most likely available somewhere where handcrafted folk art is sold.

It's also available here.I am woodcarver and have made many of various types of folk toys.PM if you are interested.I guess this would count as my one ( and so far only) commercial post

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:39 pm

I used to know a couple of people who played those. They're called "stick jacks."

Redwolf

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:44 pm

Also known as "limberjacks", though I've only seen them in the shape of people.

chattiekathy · Post by **chattiekathy** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:58 pm

toughknot wrote:
emmline wrote: This type of this is most likely available somewhere where handcrafted folk art is sold.
It's also available here.I am woodcarver and have made many of various types of folk toys.PM if you are interested.I guess this would count as my one ( and so far only) commercial post

Toughnot,

That's really Kool!!! Do you have any pictures of ones you have made? I have been looking for one of the little horses. By the way, Where in PA are you?

Bill,

Check out this site. Here are some examples of some really old ones.

http://www.lotzdollpages.com/ldance.html

Cheers,
Kathy

toughknot · Post by **toughknot** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:15 pm

Sorry no pictures.I have sold all I have made so don't have any on hand to photograph at present.I'll get started on one tomorrow and will post a pic as soon as it's done.If anyone is interested please pm or email me as I dont want to abuse the purpose of this board. I live in south central Pa. 20 mins. south of York, Pa. Anyone accepting whistle students in this area?

chattiekathy · Post by **chattiekathy** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:45 pm

toughknot wrote:Sorry no pictures.I have sold all I have made so don't have any on hand to photograph at present.I'll get started on one tomorrow and will post a pic as soon as it's done.If anyone is interested please pm or email me as I dont want to abuse the purpose of this board. I live in south central Pa. 20 mins. south of York, Pa. Anyone accepting whistle students in this area?

Thats great! I am not too awfully far from you, but I don't teach whistle. I live about 30 minutes south of Altoona. Look for a PM from me.

Cheers,
Kathy

toughknot · Post by **toughknot** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:57 pm

I have been enjoying reading your posts.It's nice to meet ya

BillChin · Post by **BillChin** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:36 am

Thanks for all the replies. I am tempted to try and roll my own, despite limited experience working with wood. I found a couple of links with sketchy information. One has info on other folk instruments to make at home. For certain people these would be fun projects even if the sound quality suffers.

http://web.mvesc.k12.oh.us/webquest.asp?fileID=133

http://home.fuse.net/russchilders/activity.html

toughknot · Post by **toughknot** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:57 am

Try the local library as well.When I started woodcarving about 12 years ago I was very broke and was unable to purchase any books on the subject ( and there are hundreds of them).So I checked out the libray and was suprised to find some very good material on carving and making traditional folk toys.The Foxfire series is very interesting. Getting wood at the time was costly so I used found wood and tore apart hardwood skids.
I'm sure you'll do well. A man that can wrestle music out of those pipes should have no trouble making a limberjack!

carrie · Post by **carrie** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:04 am

My little band uses one in the shape of a dog. Here's a clip from Free Little Bird.

I love the sound.

Carol

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:07 am

dubhlinn wrote:
This type of dancing doll is mentioned in the well known song "Whisky on a Sunday" The Dubliners do a nice version, as do the very underestimated English band The Spinners.

Slan,
D.

Dubhlinn,

I was curious about your remark that the Spinners were
underestimated. How so? I saw them many times on TV in Britain
in the 60's and 70's and found them no more talented than scores of folk
groups that plied their trade in the bars and folk clubs of the time.
I always reckoned their fame derived from the fact they were one of the
first to get national exposure on TV and Radio.

Colin

BoneQuint · Post by **BoneQuint** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 8:59 pm

BillChin wrote:I wish I had a picture. The basic concept is a wood horse with flexible jointed legs and a flat board for the horse to sound on. Too cool for words.

Something like this? $15 at Andy's Front Hall.

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Semi-OT: Percussion horse

Semi-OT: Percussion horse

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