I wait to practice until after my dearly beloved has toddled off to work for the day, thereby perturbing only the cat (who has been known to stomp in and take a swipe at my leg in protest - she may be next in the "cuddly animal used as mute" category).
So I often end up sacrificing about an hour of my work day. What dedication!
Sounds like one of those quaint c18 Scottish or Border tune titles, along the lines of I Have Laid A Herring In Salt (by that or any other spelling). I can see it now, in some archaic tune-book in old-fashioned script:
Undoubtedly somebody will soon come in with the post advising us that stuffing toy possums into fretted instruments is an old Celtic tradition found largely in the nether regions of Co. Mayo among poor farmworkers..
Alternatively you could argue that all traditions need to start somewhere .. and this where your's started!
Just hope you never come across a militant 5 yr old with a thing about toy possums!!
My sister used to have a wind up gramophone back in the 70s. The only volume control was a small stuffed toy dog, who was pushed face first into the horn. He was called HMV.
Oh boy, this could be an issue. What if the stuffed possum was just playing "possum"?
Also, I'm surprised the Animal Rights fascists haven't been in here, hootin' and hollerin' 'bout the horrible misuse of possums by evil Irish Traditional Musicians. Next thing you know there will be some buck nekkid supermodel saying "I only use fake possums to mute my banjo with."
Of course a banjo is a two-headed instrument........
Pete Seeger offered advice many years ago - he reckoned a duster was about the right size, rolled up and inserted between the head/skin under the bridge and the stick that goes across the ring from the neck-joint to the tailpiece ( what is the technical name for that stick? ). But he said he'd seen many things used as dampers, and falling out of banjos too, rolled-up socks, handkerchiefs, nappies ( diapers to you ), ( unused I hope ), etc...
I have cleared out my storage closet and insulated the floor, as I suspect that it's the downstairs neighbour who has complained about the noise. I have also bought the heaviest mute I could find. Since then, no formal noise complaints, so this seems to have worked.
FWIW, this measure has had the unexpected advantage of forcing me to loosen up my right wrist, as there simply isn't enough room in the closet for much arm movement.
I have stuffed a turkey in my day. No complaints from HIM about my fiddle playing . Unlike others. Heavy mute, self-imposed exile to basements and wooded copses are my "sacrifices" (which actually are fun, fun, fun)... and insufferable cheerfulness is my retaliation. Take that.
I have stuffed a toy possum
I have stuffed a toy possum
.. under the head of my banjo, so I can practise without waking the family.
What sacrifices are *you* making for music?
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Bren
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Don't call your stuffed possum Mohammed, otherwise it could be you who'll be sacrificed.
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
I know a banjo player who uses a toy raccoon for the same purpose.
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by fliedermaus
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Wire cutters are a lot more effective
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by mcknowall
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Clothes pegs on the bridge. ok so it's not much of a sacrifice, and not as aesthetically pleasing as a toy possom...
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Lizzy
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
I thought this thread was for New Year's Resolutions.
I must stop stuffing toy possums...
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
...and what about the poor possum?
I wait to practice until after my dearly beloved has toddled off to work for the day, thereby perturbing only the cat (who has been known to stomp in and take a swipe at my leg in protest - she may be next in the "cuddly animal used as mute" category).
So I often end up sacrificing about an hour of my work day. What dedication!
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by aikifiddler
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
You'd be stuffed too if you were forced under the head of a banjo. I always thought there was some link between banjo players and taxidermists.
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by zookman2
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Don't suggest possums to mute instruments to new zealanders. They would probably use a real one
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Djaque
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Preferably live...
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by cag
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
try a stuffed pomme
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by iwerzon
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
'try a stuffed pomme' - A stuffed apple?
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by c.g.
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Sounds like one of those quaint c18 Scottish or Border tune titles, along the lines of I Have Laid A Herring In Salt (by that or any other spelling). I can see it now, in some archaic tune-book in old-fashioned script:
I Have Ftuffed A Toy Poffum
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by nicholas
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
I'd recommend stuffing a live porcupine under the banjo head.
Then insult it.
That'll make everyone happier.
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Steve Austin
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
I like Nicholas's "Ftuffed..."
Gets confusing with "Ftuffin the Puffin" the Phil Cunningham tune aka "Hut on Staffin Island"
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by TomB-R
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
A live skunk might be even better.
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by nicholas
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Undoubtedly somebody will soon come in with the post advising us that stuffing toy possums into fretted instruments is an old Celtic tradition found largely in the nether regions of Co. Mayo among poor farmworkers..
Alternatively you could argue that all traditions need to start somewhere .. and this where your's started!
Just hope you never come across a militant 5 yr old with a thing about toy possums!!
D
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Welshman
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
My sister used to have a wind up gramophone back in the 70s. The only volume control was a small stuffed toy dog, who was pushed face first into the horn. He was called HMV.
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by showaddydadito
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Oh boy, this could be an issue. What if the stuffed possum was just playing "possum"?
Also, I'm surprised the Animal Rights fascists haven't been in here, hootin' and hollerin' 'bout the horrible misuse of possums by evil Irish Traditional Musicians. Next thing you know there will be some buck nekkid supermodel saying "I only use fake possums to mute my banjo with."
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
"I jus Lerv the way you ware that Possum"
"You know nothin"
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Pete Stephenson.
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
Of course a banjo is a two-headed instrument........
Pete Seeger offered advice many years ago - he reckoned a duster was about the right size, rolled up and inserted between the head/skin under the bridge and the stick that goes across the ring from the neck-joint to the tailpiece ( what is the technical name for that stick? ). But he said he'd seen many things used as dampers, and falling out of banjos too, rolled-up socks, handkerchiefs, nappies ( diapers to you ), ( unused I hope ), etc...
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
I have cleared out my storage closet and insulated the floor, as I suspect that it's the downstairs neighbour who has complained about the noise. I have also bought the heaviest mute I could find. Since then, no formal noise complaints, so this seems to have worked.
FWIW, this measure has had the unexpected advantage of forcing me to loosen up my right wrist, as there simply isn't enough room in the closet for much arm movement.
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by Tall, Dark, and Mysterious
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
I have stuffed a turkey in my day. No complaints from HIM about my fiddle playing . Unlike others. Heavy mute, self-imposed exile to basements and wooded copses are my "sacrifices" (which actually are fun, fun, fun)... and insufferable cheerfulness is my retaliation. Take that.
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by drone
Re: I have stuffed a toy possum
I totally want a turkey bagpipe cover after that... :p
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by bdh