as my kazoo has been damaged I've had to revert to my comb and paper to practice some tunes for a session. My problem is that my paper keeps ripping in the heat - I've been using Kleenex 3-ply but someone recommended that Tesco Value was better (and cheaper). Anybody have any other ideas?
Yohan
When I was a kid I remember getting a kazoo, and the tone production principle must be the same. We used Bronco toilet tissue - the nasty, hard kind. This was also good as tracing paper. I suggest you try wax paper like you can buy in the supermarket to wrap sandwiches, etc. in.
Yohan - Don't buy wax paper. Instead, go to the butcher/deli, eat the meat, and simply recycle the paper.
Contrary to what some so called "modernists" may tell you, DO NOT wash the wax paper before using. Washing simply gets rid of the nice resonance enhancing bacteria that separates the real comb kazoo players from the wannabees.
ok - useful advice
I wouldn't dream of playing bluegrass on my comb and paper - I only tolerate pure Irish music. I am slightly confused though as I prefer the Donegal style but find that I end up playing reels and polkas in more of a Clare style - what should I do?
Is this a wind up?
Absolutely not...
The hard paper is best--you know the "Government property" stuff as recommended by the great exponent of comb and paper, Armitage Shanks himself. One word of advice, don't try it with used paper as it tends to stick to the comb.
I've found that the thinner papers get a much better tone, even if it don't last as long. A way round this however (and this also solves the perenial problem of only being able to get one note out of the insrument) is to sample it, and then bring you sampling keyboard and modest trace elliot combo to the session.
Yohan - I don't think I can agree with you that Bluegrass isn't within the realm of comb and paper. It takes some practice, and sometimes you need a bigger comb, but when done right it just fits in so perfectly with the washtub bass and the saw.
As for Irish comb and paper, I think you need to get ahold of some of the home recordings of Himanneed O'Groomin - the great Craggy Island style comb and paper player.
great idea Michael - I have an estate car so it should be no problem. If I bring my smaller Korg then I'll have room for all my effects pedals too - you can't beat the traditional session sound of amplified comb and paper with overdrive/distortion.
Jayhawk - I'll try some bluegrass before Tanya arrives - just don't tell her. Have you heard the remix of 'My lovely horse' with Himanneed O'Groomin playing a mean instrumental break? Awesome!
As you probably know the comb and paper entered Irish music from the English Morris tradition, where it was used extensively in the Puritan period, when instruments were band.
The Bleddington tune Njjzzj Njj Njjzzj is, I think the only surviving piece from those times, and these days it is rarely performed.
OK! Move along now!
This session is getting rather silly.
It started off as a forum for swapping tunes and talking about Irish music and has now degenerated into people having fun at the expense of the purity of the tradition.
Haarrrummph!
I didn't fight in two world wars just so people could do what they wanted!
It's still on the subject, isn't it? About a fine basic instrument, as cheap as they come. As long as we don't have any repetition, deviation or hesitation I don't see why this discussion shouldn't last.
Trevor
What kind of comb are you using? Could it be a steel comb which is affecting the durability of paper? Are you perchance using a bebop brush, which is highly unsuitable? Maybe you've left some gel on the teeth? In terms of repertoire, personally I find the Kerry "singing comb" style is much easier on the paper and generally a fun style to play.
my main comb is made of wood and was passed down from my grand father. I have a practice plastic comb which is ok but hasn't got the same tone. The Kerry style sounds interesting - I tend to have a much more jagged style (probably why my paper rips so often)
For a sweet sound, a comb with a conical bore is better. And for a buzz that really cuts through the horrible racket made by the fiddlers, fluters and other such time-wasters, try the much higher pitched nit-comb.
Good grief, I was thought for sure this was a joke. Apparently, there's plenty on the internet for this type of stuff, i.e - "Boredom Busters Sound & Music", Home Crafts - "making music with things around you"
Show up at our session with a comb and paper and I guarantee you'll be laughed at and talked about for weeks on end. My guys show no mercy and I'm no saint either : )
This site is really going downhill fast....(and I realize I'm not much help)...Will, Zina, Emily, Brad, Danny, and others...where are you???
Well, I'm not uncomfortable with these jokey threads. The infamous Shaky Egg thread by Our Danny was probably the penultimate. It does take quite a bit of knowledge about the traditions and trends and such of this stuff to be able to joke so well (I am particularly taken by Conan's Kerry "singing comb" style, and I laughed out loud at Ottery's conical bore comb) and once someone understands that it's all a bit of fun, they can actually learn a lot about what kind of jokes are funny to players, and even what things bother them about this stuff in a very friendly funny way.
I guess the reason I don't really mind this sort of joke is that it's not a particularly small minded or nasty kind of humor (though it does seem that we're getting them more and more often, and I'm waiting for us to get collectively more tired of them), nor does it really have the potential to become that. Windups, on the other hand, are often misunderstood and in many of the cultures of the world would quite rightly cause hurt feelings in the windupee and cause damage to the reputation of the winduper.
If we can't have a sense of humor about this stuff that we all love and engage in, we're probably too one-dimensional. So I don't really see these really rather marvelously inventive threads as a real problem. So long as people take pity on those not understanding that they're jokes (drop an explanatory e-mail, etc. without making them feel stupid for not having got the joke, or especially not getting the rather convoluted language we call English) I think they rather add to the crack, personally.
Dunno -- he's had an awful lot happening in his life recently, and much of it not pleasant, so drop him a line if you miss him, I feel sure knowing people think of him might help.
and have you ever noticed that those crafty blokes at a session playing a comb and paper undoubtedly have the best hair dues? watch 'em, I tell ye, and between sets they'll lay down the law with a wayward curl or a wisp of hair in their eyes. the slobber conveniently acts as a styling glaze. However, NEVER under ANY CIRCUMSTACES should you borrow a fella's comb and paper without asking. 'tis just not done...
(Wouldn't a gum leaf stretched between your thumbs bushie-style be more environmentally friendly? There's only one part instead of two, you don't have to chop down trees or poison the environment to manufacture it and you can fit several spares packed flat in your wallet.)
I'm waiting for Dow to chime in here - "For a practice set of gum leaves complete with tutorial booklet and instructional video, place your order now and send $50US via my member profile..."
Dow is sleeping it off cause me and him went playing tunes because Brendan Bulger (chicago) is in town and we all stayed out to 4am!! I'm wrecked and I'd wager that so is brendan and Dow - I was 2 hours late for work! But we had a good night and the tunes rocked.
You've just reminded me, JohnJ, of one of the few real bits of wisdom I ever read on a desk calendar: "Experience is a comb life gives you after your hair has fallen out."
I was just thinkin' - if we wanted to stay true to the tradition shouldn't we be using ivory combs and parchment, vellum or, shock horror, goatskin? That'll put hairs on your mouth.
Remember to check out the kazoo tunebook, by N. O'Reilly da Fullticket. There are some gems in there, including one in the O'Carolan tradition - the Efinofl Concerto.
As BigDave would usually say at this point...ooo, er, missus! *grin* Don't get me started on blowing Conan's dead goat, although "Blowing Conan's Goat" would be a great tune title... *snort*
Few people know this, but Brendan Bulger's first instrument was in fact not the fiddle but...you guessed it...the comb and paper. It is a pity, really, that he has since squandered his considerable talent on such an inferior instrument. Rumor has it that he has a singular talent in playing comb and paper slow airs, a dimension of the tradition willfully and indefensibly unsupported on this site...
ooh er,indeed,missus!
pied piper has it right: it must be izal('now wipe your arse,please') bog roll for that real haunting sound.grease-proof paper has similar properties.
as for blowing Conan's goat,was n't he just kidding?
ok,ok, i'll get my goat...
The "World Comb & Paper" Championships take place every July at the Stonehaven Folk Festival - 15 miles south of Aberdeen. I've never gone to it, but I'm not kidding - check out their website!
My comb and paper
My comb and paper
as my kazoo has been damaged I've had to revert to my comb and paper to practice some tunes for a session. My problem is that my paper keeps ripping in the heat - I've been using Kleenex 3-ply but someone recommended that Tesco Value was better (and cheaper). Anybody have any other ideas?
Yohan
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Yohan
Re: My comb and paper
When I was a kid I remember getting a kazoo, and the tone production principle must be the same. We used Bronco toilet tissue - the nasty, hard kind. This was also good as tracing paper. I suggest you try wax paper like you can buy in the supermarket to wrap sandwiches, etc. in.
Is this a wind-up?
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by fiddlefingers
Re: My comb and paper
Yohan - Don't buy wax paper. Instead, go to the butcher/deli, eat the meat, and simply recycle the paper.
Contrary to what some so called "modernists" may tell you, DO NOT wash the wax paper before using. Washing simply gets rid of the nice resonance enhancing bacteria that separates the real comb kazoo players from the wannabees.
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Jayhawk
Re: My comb and paper
ok - useful advice
I wouldn't dream of playing bluegrass on my comb and paper - I only tolerate pure Irish music. I am slightly confused though as I prefer the Donegal style but find that I end up playing reels and polkas in more of a Clare style - what should I do?
Is this a wind up?
Absolutely not...
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Yohan
Re: My comb and paper
The hard paper is best--you know the "Government property" stuff as recommended by the great exponent of comb and paper, Armitage Shanks himself. One word of advice, don't try it with used paper as it tends to stick to the comb.
John
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: My comb and paper
I would recommend Izal Medicated Toilet Paper (the only toilet paper that shit won't stick to).
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/house_garden/household_products/izal_toilet_paper/
Its medicated properties mean that it will last and last.
PP
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Pied Piper
Re: My comb and paper
I've found that the thinner papers get a much better tone, even if it don't last as long. A way round this however (and this also solves the perenial problem of only being able to get one note out of the insrument) is to sample it, and then bring you sampling keyboard and modest trace elliot combo to the session.
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by ...
Re: My comb and paper
Yohan - I don't think I can agree with you that Bluegrass isn't within the realm of comb and paper. It takes some practice, and sometimes you need a bigger comb, but when done right it just fits in so perfectly with the washtub bass and the saw.
As for Irish comb and paper, I think you need to get ahold of some of the home recordings of Himanneed O'Groomin - the great Craggy Island style comb and paper player.
Just my 2 cents worth here...
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Jayhawk
Re: My comb and paper
great idea Michael - I have an estate car so it should be no problem. If I bring my smaller Korg then I'll have room for all my effects pedals too - you can't beat the traditional session sound of amplified comb and paper with overdrive/distortion.
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Yohan
Jayhawk - I'll try some bluegrass before Tanya arrives - just don't tell her. Have you heard the remix of 'My lovely horse' with Himanneed O'Groomin playing a mean instrumental break? Awesome!
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Yohan
Re: My comb and paper
Yohan - Of course I know that remake of "My Lovely Horse". I bet you could achieve Himanneed's sound with that Korg!
Best luck in your comb and paper endeavors!
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Jayhawk
Re: My comb and paper
As you probably know the comb and paper entered Irish music from the English Morris tradition, where it was used extensively in the Puritan period, when instruments were band.
The Bleddington tune Njjzzj Njj Njjzzj is, I think the only surviving piece from those times, and these days it is rarely performed.
All the best
PP
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Pied Piper
Re: My comb and paper
could you post the ABC?
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Yohan
Re: My comb and paper
OK! Move along now!
This session is getting rather silly.
It started off as a forum for swapping tunes and talking about Irish music and has now degenerated into people having fun at the expense of the purity of the tradition.
Haarrrummph!
I didn't fight in two world wars just so people could do what they wanted!
At least the Church is free from Gay Bishops!!
What? What???!? Good Grief!
Colonel Volestrangler (Mrs)
# Posted on August 10th 2003 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: My comb and paper
It's still on the subject, isn't it? About a fine basic instrument, as cheap as they come. As long as we don't have any repetition, deviation or hesitation I don't see why this discussion shouldn't last.
Trevor
# Posted on August 11th 2003 by Trevor Jennings
Re: My comb and paper
Hey Treabhar, Now just a minute!
# Posted on August 11th 2003 by scraper
Re: My comb and paper
Good one, Scraper! It's nice when you fly the flag, and then someone salutes!
Trevor
# Posted on August 11th 2003 by Trevor Jennings
Re: My comb and paper
Yohan
What kind of comb are you using? Could it be a steel comb which is affecting the durability of paper? Are you perchance using a bebop brush, which is highly unsuitable? Maybe you've left some gel on the teeth? In terms of repertoire, personally I find the Kerry "singing comb" style is much easier on the paper and generally a fun style to play.
Con
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Conán McDonnell
Re: My comb and paper
my main comb is made of wood and was passed down from my grand father. I have a practice plastic comb which is ok but hasn't got the same tone. The Kerry style sounds interesting - I tend to have a much more jagged style (probably why my paper rips so often)
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Yohan
Re: My comb and paper
For a sweet sound, a comb with a conical bore is better. And for a buzz that really cuts through the horrible racket made by the fiddlers, fluters and other such time-wasters, try the much higher pitched nit-comb.
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Ottery
Re: My comb and paper
Good grief, I was thought for sure this was a joke. Apparently, there's plenty on the internet for this type of stuff, i.e - "Boredom Busters Sound & Music", Home Crafts - "making music with things around you"
Show up at our session with a comb and paper and I guarantee you'll be laughed at and talked about for weeks on end. My guys show no mercy and I'm no saint either : )
This site is really going downhill fast....(and I realize I'm not much help)...Will, Zina, Emily, Brad, Danny, and others...where are you???
Joyce
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by JMH
Re: My comb and paper
The funny thing is that I'll probably try out this silly comb and paper trick later tonight (after several pints!). hahahahahaha
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by JMH
Re: My comb and paper
Well, I'm not uncomfortable with these jokey threads. The infamous Shaky Egg thread by Our Danny was probably the penultimate. It does take quite a bit of knowledge about the traditions and trends and such of this stuff to be able to joke so well (I am particularly taken by Conan's Kerry "singing comb" style, and I laughed out loud at Ottery's conical bore comb) and once someone understands that it's all a bit of fun, they can actually learn a lot about what kind of jokes are funny to players, and even what things bother them about this stuff in a very friendly funny way.
I guess the reason I don't really mind this sort of joke is that it's not a particularly small minded or nasty kind of humor (though it does seem that we're getting them more and more often, and I'm waiting for us to get collectively more tired of them), nor does it really have the potential to become that. Windups, on the other hand, are often misunderstood and in many of the cultures of the world would quite rightly cause hurt feelings in the windupee and cause damage to the reputation of the winduper.
If we can't have a sense of humor about this stuff that we all love and engage in, we're probably too one-dimensional. So I don't really see these really rather marvelously inventive threads as a real problem. So long as people take pity on those not understanding that they're jokes (drop an explanatory e-mail, etc. without making them feel stupid for not having got the joke, or especially not getting the rather convoluted language we call English) I think they rather add to the crack, personally.
zls
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: My comb and paper
I hate to go off subject but where has Danny been??
Deb
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by deblittle
Re: My comb and paper
Dunno -- he's had an awful lot happening in his life recently, and much of it not pleasant, so drop him a line if you miss him, I feel sure knowing people think of him might help.
zls
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: My comb and paper
and have you ever noticed that those crafty blokes at a session playing a comb and paper undoubtedly have the best hair dues? watch 'em, I tell ye, and between sets they'll lay down the law with a wayward curl or a wisp of hair in their eyes. the slobber conveniently acts as a styling glaze. However, NEVER under ANY CIRCUMSTACES should you borrow a fella's comb and paper without asking. 'tis just not done...
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Brendan
Re: My comb and paper
Good Grief......
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by bb
Re: My comb and paper
What she said. 8>)
(Wouldn't a gum leaf stretched between your thumbs bushie-style be more environmentally friendly? There's only one part instead of two, you don't have to chop down trees or poison the environment to manufacture it and you can fit several spares packed flat in your wallet.)
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Tish
Re: My comb and paper
And the worst thing is - even tho tish is joking, people actually *do* play the gumleaf in Australia!!! aaarrrrgghhhhhh
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by bb
Re: My comb and paper
I'm waiting for Dow to chime in here - "For a practice set of gum leaves complete with tutorial booklet and instructional video, place your order now and send $50US via my member profile..."
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Tish
Re: My comb and paper
Dow is sleeping it off cause me and him went playing tunes because Brendan Bulger (chicago) is in town and we all stayed out to 4am!! I'm wrecked and I'd wager that so is brendan and Dow - I was 2 hours late for work! But we had a good night and the tunes rocked.
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by bb
Re: My comb and paper
So, Bridie, did you ask Brendan about Kitty's Rambles and whether he's the right Brendan?
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: My comb and paper
not yet - I'll ask him tomorrow - sorry I forgot!
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by bb
Re: My comb and paper
Yeah, remember to do that, or I'll send him an e-mail and tell him you looooooove the spoons in a session...
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: My comb and paper
I might take up the comb and paper myself soon. I'm going bald now so I have no other use for the comb.
John
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: My comb and paper
You've just reminded me, JohnJ, of one of the few real bits of wisdom I ever read on a desk calendar: "Experience is a comb life gives you after your hair has fallen out."
# Posted on August 12th 2003 by Tish
Re: My comb and paper
I was just thinkin' - if we wanted to stay true to the tradition shouldn't we be using ivory combs and parchment, vellum or, shock horror, goatskin? That'll put hairs on your mouth.
Con
# Posted on August 13th 2003 by Conán McDonnell
Re: My comb and paper
Remember to check out the kazoo tunebook, by N. O'Reilly da Fullticket. There are some gems in there, including one in the O'Carolan tradition - the Efinofl Concerto.
Jim
# Posted on August 13th 2003 by Worldfiddler
Re: My comb and paper
Can you get a "Backpacker's Paper and comb outfit"? I like to travel light.
John
# Posted on August 13th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: My comb and paper
This is like beating a dead horse......
# Posted on August 13th 2003 by JMH
Re: My comb and paper
probably better than blowing Conan's dead goat though...
# Posted on August 13th 2003 by Yohan
Re: My comb and paper
As BigDave would usually say at this point...ooo, er, missus! *grin* Don't get me started on blowing Conan's dead goat, although "Blowing Conan's Goat" would be a great tune title... *snort*
# Posted on August 13th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: My comb and paper
Few people know this, but Brendan Bulger's first instrument was in fact not the fiddle but...you guessed it...the comb and paper. It is a pity, really, that he has since squandered his considerable talent on such an inferior instrument. Rumor has it that he has a singular talent in playing comb and paper slow airs, a dimension of the tradition willfully and indefensibly unsupported on this site...
# Posted on August 13th 2003 by Brendan
Re: My comb and paper
ooh er,indeed,missus!
pied piper has it right: it must be izal('now wipe your arse,please') bog roll for that real haunting sound.grease-proof paper has similar properties.
as for blowing Conan's goat,was n't he just kidding?
ok,ok, i'll get my goat...
oh dear
# Posted on August 14th 2003 by biggus dave
Re: My comb and paper
The "World Comb & Paper" Championships take place every July at the Stonehaven Folk Festival - 15 miles south of Aberdeen. I've never gone to it, but I'm not kidding - check out their website!
# Posted on August 14th 2003 by Kenny
Re: My comb and paper
The Night Conan's Goat Got Blown - a wonderful song about man's inhumanity to goat...
# Posted on August 15th 2003 by Ottery
Re: My comb and paper
Oh don't know. The goat probably enjoyed it....
# Posted on August 15th 2003 by Conán McDonnell
Re: My comb and paper
even though it was dead...;)
# Posted on August 15th 2003 by Yohan
Re: My comb and paper
good grief.....
# Posted on August 15th 2003 by JMH
Re: My comb and paper
Always to be followed up by the jig version, "The Night We Blew Conan's Goat", of course, causing much confusion between the two tunes and titles...
# Posted on August 15th 2003 by Zina Lee