I think these "homemade" instuments are great examples of fence instruments. They clearly have two roles and stradle worlds between container for liquids and music-maker. I particularly enjoy instruments that are made by professionals and sold for quite a bit of money, but which are essentially glorified household items, like jugs. This brings me to my next quesion: does it take something away from the integrity, grittiness, raw-ness of ethnic musics when we furnish musicians with "professional" quality istruments. It certainly changes the sound of the music they produce. Is this another case of business butting in where people have done well enough on their own?
Posted by hourenk at March 22, 2005 04:49 PMThats an interesting question because its all about the sound a musician is trying to produce. With professional quality instruments, I think some of it is durability. A pro quality instrument will last longer. Other times the instrument is trying to mimic an old timey sound... sometimes a pro instrument just gets a tone that a musician likes better... in each case I think its always less the instrument and more the musician that gives music a rawness or grittiness.
Posted by: Pete at March 22, 2005 11:56 PM