MN
61 posts
Apr 19, 2011
3:07 PM
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I'm thinking of building or buying a cajon drum box to play with our (mostly) acoustic blues trio. The idea is we could take turns playing it on various songs or even bring in a fourth guy, a percussionist to play the cajon "drum set" full time. Any tips about the gear aspect? Or about learning to play one?
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Rubes
280 posts
Apr 19, 2011
3:35 PM
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started to go down that road, but settled on a 'shed made' foot stomp box and never looked back!!
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nacoran
4019 posts
Apr 19, 2011
3:44 PM
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I wish I was handy. I have an idea for a cajon crossed with a rocking chair...
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Nate
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apskarp
451 posts
Apr 20, 2011
3:43 AM
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I have a cajon, but I have to say I haven't played it much. I konw that experienced cajonists will make that sound great, but for me - I like more bongo's and djembe for example.
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chromaticblues
784 posts
Apr 20, 2011
4:33 AM
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I've been playing home acoustic stomp boxes for over three yeats now and did alot of research on the matter. There are so many ways you can build one. Thats the tough part. Trying to figure out something you think is cool then try to play it!
There is one GREAT youtube vib of a guy demonstrating his self built Cajon. I don't recall the mans name, but if you type in home made cajons you'll find this guy he plays an egg shaker a couple times during his demo. After watching that I almost built one. I build them to play as a foot operated drum. So I can play along while playing harp. There are some Cajons that have foot pedals also. Then there is the farmer footdrum.
There are alot of things to consider while picking your weapon of choice. The cajon won't move while playing it because your sitting on it. You won't be able to play the harp at the same time unless you get one with foot pedals, but then you don't get the full affect of a Cajon. The stomp box I play is very easy. Its more like tapping your toes so the learning curve is fast and if you have any rythem it takes no time at all to pretty good at it. The down side of my box is it doesn't have a wide array sound variation. Its a 4 feet wide wedge type box that is 6 inchs tall at the back and comes to a point in the front. I used a circular saw to cut the top board 4 inchs from the pointed end (the end facing me). So now there is a 4 ich board across the bottom to rest my heels on that won't muffle the box. From front to back its 2 1/2 feet long. Three feet would be even better because that cuts down the angle of the wedge. I haven't done it because this is the 3rd or 4th one I've built and I'm sick of fuckin with it! I drilled a 2 1/2 inch hole in the middle of the end furthest from me to mic it. I found that if you put some kind of mat on it makes it sound more like a drum and less like a wooden box!
All in all it works pretty good. I'm not really into the onemanband thing. Nor do I think it would be good for that, but in a low volume (semi-acoustic) setting with other musicains I think something of that nature would work.
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toddlgreene
2911 posts
Apr 20, 2011
5:12 AM
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Yes, I play cajon, as well as bongos, congas, djembe and assorted other hand percussion. I had a beautiful one built for my son from a guy on Ebay-and it was right at 100 bucks shipped-no veneers, all hardwood(mostly cherry), with an adjustable snare wire(this is a necessity in my opinion), and deep bass. I agree with chromaticblues that it might not be suited to the OMB thing with harp, as it's such a physical instrument to play on its own. You'll use all parts of your hands, and even the heels of your feet, plus the typical positon to play in is tilted forward on the front two legs-so, to also play a harp on a rack might be a chore with all that movement going on...but don't take my word for it-try it! Cajons are great because they can mimic a drum set, are much quieter and very portable, and they're just plain fun to play. You can mic the soundhole and play live with it, as it's surprisingly loud acoustically. Here's a link to one similar by the same guy:
Tobias Cajons on Ebay(highly recommended!)
One of our CCHC members is supposed to be bringing one to HCH with him-I'm sure I'll be on it at some point-lots of harp players to accompany!
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Todd
Eudora and Deep Soul
Last Edited by on Apr 20, 2011 5:43 AM
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JimInMO
101 posts
Apr 20, 2011
5:40 AM
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Check out some Cowboy Bart And His Imaginary Band clips on uTube. Steve Kennedy was kind of the centerpiece with his cajon and various other hand rhythm instruments. His is tapered towards the bottom and has a strap around his neck. He plays a little harp too. No blues in this band but you might get some ideas here.
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MN
62 posts
Apr 20, 2011
10:14 AM
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Thanks so much for the tips, guys. I wouldn't be playing cajon and harp at the same time -- it's more like another arrow I could add to my quiver, and/or something that would be good for the band to have that way we have the option of adding a "drum set" feel to certain tunes.
I may go the home-made route, as I have a very solid wooden crate in my office. I'm thinking if I can find a nice piece of quality plywood, I can make the tapa part ..... but I'll also want to add a snare.
I'd order one from the U.S., but $hipping to Europe is a bitch. If anyone's heading to Prague and wants to bring over a cajon for me, I'll buy the beer!
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