Would you like to dazzle your young children or quiet a classroom of kids? Or be the star of the next long car or bus ride? Then take a few minutes to master the art of the musical spoons and you’ll soon be playing like a professional percussionist!
All you need for developing this homegrown skill are two spoons and a bit of patience and practice.
Start With the Spoons
First, find two spoons of equal size and shape. Although seasoned players can make any two spoons work, it’s best to learn with matching spoons. Any spoons will work; even plastic ones, however the best sounds seems to come from the heavier metal ones so find a few pairs and see what sounds best to you.
Holding The Spoons!
The real trick to playing the spoons is getting the right grip.
Take a look at this picture. Put the end of one spoon between your thumb and pointer finger. Put the end of the other spoon between your pointer and middle finger. Hold them all the way down near the end of the spoons grasping tightly enough not to drop them but loose enough so that they can still click together.
If you’re right handed – you’ll probably do better with your right hand and vice versa for lefties!
Rat-a-tat-a-tat
Take your spoons and see if you can make them click together. Tap them between your knee and your other hand (held above the spoons), moving the spoons – not your knee or your “non-spoon hand”. Tap back and forth until you get a nice steady rhythm.
Try it slow. Try it fast. Try it along with your favorite song. Then you’ll be ready to move on to the fancy stuff!
Drum Roll, Please!
Once playing a simple beat isn’t enough, try this move that sounds a bit like a drum roll! Hold your spoons in your dominant hand and place your other hand, palm up with fingers spread. Hold the fingers of your “non-spoon hand” as stiffly as you can.
Then, brush the spoons over your upturned hand allowing them to clink once on each finger, like a ball falling down stairs and tapping each one along it’s way. Practice this until you can do this smoothly and can add it to any song effortlessly while playing.
Rock Out To Your Favorite Songs
The best way to get good at playing the spoons is by practicing. Play along while you sing. Play along while your child sings. Play along to your favorite recorded music or a family member who can play an instrument. Although this is a simple instrument, it can really add a lot to a front porch jam or an impromptu music party!
And if all else fails, you can get a pair of connected spoons, just like these! Happy tapping!
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