You, Too, Can Play The Spoons

Chapter 5

Now let's make some noise. Remember the spoon grip? You should now grip your spoons and assume the body position.

Now, hold your playing hand so that the tip of the lower spoon is centered over the middle of the upper leg (left leg for the right hander - right leg for the "lefty").

Now, start tapping the toes of your foot that is on the ground. That's right, tap your toes.

You need to establish the beat.

Let's say you hum the "Missouri Waltz" (if you do not know the Missouri Waltz any other waltz will do). This will give you 3/4-time as follows: One - Two - Three, 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 - etc. Tap your toe with each beat.

Now tap the tip of the lower spoon on your leg to the same count and with each tap of your toe.

You are now playing 3/4-time and waltz time. Hum your waltz and play the beat for a while. Easy isn't it?

Stop.

Now hum a 4/4-time fox-trot tune. Lets do "You Are My Sunshine". The beat goes One - Two - Three - Four; 1,2,3,4 - 1,2,3,4 - etc. Remember to tap your toe with each beat.

Again, tap the lower spoon on your leg to the same count and with each tap of your toe.

You are now playing 4/4-time and a fox-trot. Still easy isn't it?

Stop.

Now, back to the "Missouri Waltz" and 3/4 time. Get the toes tapping and pick up the beat with your spoons. Hum your waltz and play the beat until it is easy again.

Now we get serious.

Between each beat on your leg, bring the other hand palm down and lightly tap the upper spoon with the tips of your fingers . This will result in the lower spoon hitting the upper spoon and adding another clap.

You have now added the off-beat. You have added a sixth note and created double-time. You are now almost playing the spoons. Not quite so easy, is it?

Now, stop.

Note very carefully that I said bring the other hand down to tap the upper spoon!

Do not, and I repeat do not, bring the spoon up to hit the bottom of your top hand!

You will find this very difficult at first as this is a very unnatural movement and difficult for one's mind to master. It is sort of like rubbing your belly with one and and patting the top of your head with the other at the same time. You must teach your mind a new trick.

Start up again with the beat, get it established and then add the off-beat. Still not quite so easy, eh?

Stop, start and do it all again.

Again.

And again until it begins to get easy.

Now, review your 4/4 fox-trot time. Establish your 1,2,3,4 beat while humming (or singing) "You Are My Sunshine".

When you have the beat established, bring down that other hand and add the off-beat. You have added an eighth note and created double time again.

Play it a while and then stop and repeat the startup and cycle again and again. Do it until it begins to get easy.

If you know a polka, you should hum your polka and establish that beat with your toe. You will note that it is also 4/4 time but that the accent is in on the second beat thus, one, TWO, three, four; one, TWO, three, four; etc. You will note that the tempo will also be faster than the average fox-trot.

When you have the beat established with your toe, pick it up by tapping your spoon on your leg. Add your off-beat and you are playing the polka.

Again, stop, start, and practice until it comes easily.

You are now just about ready to join the musical world.