The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE BONES

THE BONES ARE A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. THEY LOOK LIKE RIB BONES
AND ARE ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. A GUY WOULD PLACE THREE OF THEM
BETWEEN HIS FINGERS AND CLICK THEM TOGETHER TO MAKE SOUNDS.

Submitter comment: THE BONES COME FROM INDIANA AND WERE FOUND ANYWHERE THERE WAS
MUSIC. THEY WERE USUALLY CURVED, BLACK IN COLOR, AND USED TO KEEP
TIME THE WAY WE USE A DRUM TODAY. THE INFORMANT SAID THAT SOME
PEOPLE WERE SO GOOD AT IT THAT "YOU COULD TELL WHAT SONG HE WAS
PLAYING JUST FROM THE BONES."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN