Here at Music for People, we invite ALL the instruments. Sometimes we think that it has to be a ‘real’ instrument in order for it to matter. We are here to say that is not true. At all.
Witness, the humble paper bag. Whether sandwich size, party favor size, or big enough to carry a few egg shakers, the paper bag is, dare we say, a legitimate instrument.
Beginning with your basic gift bag, you can make the sound of a train.
David Holt is a Grammy award winning musician and storyteller, focused on preserving traditional American music and stories.
In this 1996 video (get ready to giggle because it is truly delightful), David demonstrates several ‘folk rhythms’. He begins with what can be described as hand slapping on the side of his leg. He adds to it with some truly fun vocalizations. There are also clips of him playing bones, his cheeks, his body and then at about 54 seconds in, he pulls out a paper bag. Be sure to keep listening because he brings vocal sounds back in along with leg slaps and well, an invention he calls “thunderer.” We’ll leave that for you to discover.
The paper bag is ‘elevated’ to the stage of a university school of music. Here’s a Quartet for Paper Bags by Larry Spivak.
You might also enjoy this Paper Bag Concerto in D (for Driveway) Major. This one includes the tenor, alto and bass bags.
Bonus Delight:
From @OkeeDokeeBros:
We spent an afternoon with our friend David Holt up in the mountains. Bones, Washboard, Spoons, Jaw Harp, Mouth Bow and Paper Bag. Simple Instructions.
TRY THIS AT HOME
Simple… pull out a paper bag and have at it!
While you’re at it, have a go at leg slapping and trying some of your own mouth sounds !