History of playing the spoons
The history of musical spoons goes back as far as does the history of the spoon. Cultures from Russia to Ireland to Native American cultures have a history of playing the spoons or spoon-shaped bones. Some people think the playing of the bones was part of a spiritual tradition that loosed the spirit of the animal, or channeled the animal's positive spiritual benefits.
How do you play the spoons?
Typically, in Slavic and balalaika tradition, the performer will hold three or four spoons: two wooden spoons in one hand, and at least one spoon in the other, which is then hit against the two spoons to make a percussive sound. The tradition is also lively in Ireland, where musicians would play a pair of sheep rib bones similarly to how American folk musicians now play table spoons.In American folk music, often artists will simply employ a pair of table spoons, situate them back to back in one hand, against their leg or another body part, and play them with the other hand. Although table spoons are common, instrument makers also fashion a "pair" of spoons that are joined at the end. These can be wooden, metal, plastic, or made of other materials. David Holt has a great online photo tutorial on how to get started with playing the spoons.
