Monkey stick: Australian musical instrument

The monkey stick is a traditional English percussion instrument that is widely used in folk music. The origin of the name is not yet known up till date but it is believed that it stern from an association with one of many Gypsy, Spanish and Italian buskers that were popular in London in the Victorian era. The musical instrument is made from a thick pole fastened to a heavy boot at the base. The end is originally believed to have been closed or covered with rag to give it some sort of protection. Metal jingles mostly used is the beer bottle tops are attached at intervals along the shaft and putting a 1 inch washer in between the tops will increase the quality of the sound produced. The sound made is a combination of a bass drum and tambourine when played on a wooden floor. This musical instrument can also be played with another small V-shaped stick held in the other hand; this will enable it to be shaken or hammered onto a ground and also bowed to give out rattling and clicking sound. The name ‘monkey stick is said to have come from a modern practice: in k=homage to the trained monkeys that was used by buskers to beg for money from the people passing by.

source of picture: en.wikipedia.org

In Australia, this musical instrument that is constructed with the top of a beer bottle is also known as “lagerphone” a variation of the traditional aboriginal instrument using shells. The same name and construction has been found in New Zealand.