Although at first I played my small drumset and washboard combination with my hands (wearing my washboard gloves), over the winter I hurt my middle finger joint banging on the heavy old ride cymbal I picked up last year and as I’ve already mentioned I’m sure, began to experiment with various multi-dowel drumsticks which have considerably changed the way I’m playing; possibly not only for the best, time will tell…
In both cases however there have been a few situations in which I’m simply not loud enough for the band to hear me. Or at least that’s what they’ve been telling me, the main one being outdoor stages. So during the week before our last gig in Cheyres, I practiced with a drumstick, as well as a percussion stick without a shaped tip; two butts. And yes: singular, because I hold it in washboard gloved right hand (being right handed) and use it on the cymbals & snare as well as on the washboard with the butt side. Depending on the rhythm or sound I want, I also use the thimbles that are on my gloves, although it can be a bit confusing and takes practice.
I use my washboard gloved left hand to rub the washboard and hit the snare and lighter cymbals, no stick (except for a few songs for which I’m practicing with two sticks.
This isn’t that easy, although I’m not hitting my face with the drumstick as much as when I started it still happens occasionally, and it’s hard to keep it from slipping when rubbing the washboard vigorously; often making the next cymbal hit awkward when too much of the stick ends up on the wrong side of my palm…
However when it does all come together it’s a lot of fun which of course is what it should be.
And feedback was positive from my band members!
Now for some better stick control: practice, practice and practice some more…
PS: Picture is from the aforementioned concert, unfortunately you can’t see much of the drumset. Photo by Nicolas Bugnon