I came across this gentleman, near Borough Market playing the spoons to accompany some folk music. It is many years since I have seen this form of musical entertainment. I can remember my father trying to teach me how to do it when I was a young child and I cannot recall seeing anyone else playing them. As my father died over 40 years ago you can imagine my delight at hearing this sound again. This gentleman said he is trying to revive this age old skill. I don't think it a particularly difficult art to master. You just need to knock a couple of table spoons together. Although as I recall you do need something called rhythm.
Very interesting photo. I had watched a handsaw music player very long time ago.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy New Year.
It is good to see these old folks in one corner doing some entertainment, fun to see them in foreign countries. But here, they are normally called beggars and that is a pity! In your area, do they expect some amount for their deed?
ReplyDeleteIn Adelaide - street musicians are known as Buskers ... we even have a Buskers café . They must first obtain a permit from the city council.and from what I understand can only stay in one spot for a designated time.
ReplyDeleteI love the ambiance they bring to an area and like this guy the different skills ( or lack of ) they impart..
Good to see this guy playing the spoons and I'm sure a lot of passers-by would have really enjoyed it.
If you go to YouTube there is a really fun video of an older woman playing the spoons. I watched it several times and found it fascinating, but I don't remember much else. You just reminded me. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me a bit at my youth. We had two little wooden clappers? (I don't know the english word for it) and rattled the same way as the spoons. We used one hand and had them between our fingers. It was rather difficult and only girls played with them. It was a bit like the spanish flamengo dancers uses.
ReplyDeleteFunny to have those memories again by your blog.
I had never heard of playing spoons! Interesting to know. Glad this brings childhood memories to you :)
ReplyDeleteI think I have seen this done somewhere at sometime... vague memory at the back of my mind. Must have been a delight coming upon him doing this!
ReplyDeleteRythm would be a definite must for something like this! :p