How to Play the Spoons (Part I) - for Kids, Teachers and everyone else!

[@DaveRuch]

PART II just published! This one picks up right where the first video leaves off - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoDViqqEoaytn68

[@日本もの]

Legend

[@Ken-rw9xw]

Yes I did , on part 2 now

[@DaveRuch]

@@Ken-rw9xw go get 'em!

[@jamiekeller1126]

Thank you Dave for posting these. I was planning on asking my friend to teach me to play. Unfortunately, he passed away, so now I have to learn on my own. My heart is finally letting me learn.

[@hobelarge6389]

how are you doing now?

[@jimbo6056]

@@hobelarge6389💀

[@bobbobbo5278]

lmao my dad is laughing bc im playin the spoons, just wait until i get to my unces house hide yo spoons

[@vibes3360]

Guwau ahahahaha!😂😂😂😂

[@roomyjustingames1235]

Oh god help 😂🤣

[@paulaccuardi9071]

What happened at Unce’s house??

[@sliotharball]

*Tip: I've played the spoons since I was a kid. I play them mostly with Irish Traditional Music..of which The Reel, The Jig, and The Hornpipe are the most common tempos. The trick to learning the spoons (from my experience) is to start small..i.e. use teaspoons to start with and then progress to the larger variety. I find the soup spoon gives off a better sound and are easier to play with...it also helps if you use (insulating electrical) tape around the end of the spoons (where you hold them between your fingers). This prevents the spoons from slipping. Sorry for being so long winded...(At the end of the day if you have no rhythm ..you'll find them difficult to master).*

[@daveruch6196]

+sliotharball Thanks for sharing your experience sliotharball.

[@ivyenahthewitch5594]

Thanks for these tips! I'm a singer in a folk band and we were wondering if there was an instrument I could play so I looked up how to play the spoons and I'm going to try all these tips !

[@daveruch6196]

+Ivyenah The witch Keep us posted on your progress Ivyenah!

[@sentimentaloldme]

I am the owner of "sliotharball channel"...this is my example which relates to the above comment. I may put a video up of playing the jig and hornpipe with the spoons at a later date......kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6OlfnejitmopaM

[@donaldmcneill3832]

thanks sliotharball

[@gossamer999]

I have been watching the show on netflix, the Midnight Gospel, and in episode 5 there is some brief spoon playing and it both looked and sounded like a blast! Can't wait to get started when I have some spoons!

[@landzaad_]

same reason i am here too

[@Isnogud67]

You should be a teacher at school...you’d be amazing. So clear, so patient and not patronising at all. New subscriber...and I will try this ! I’m quite excited now. Have a great week 🤗

[@DaveRuch]

Ha! Thanks Anja. I do travel around to schools all throughout the school year doing programs for kids, so I have a fair amount of experience in that area. And yes, Abby is amazing!

[@Isnogud67]

Dave Ruch ...that’s really wonderful. I am on my second day getting to know my spoons. I find it hard, but I am patient enough to not give in within the first week ! Nothing can be achieved over night. I truly like your video and how you bring it to your audience. Have a great week, Dave.

[@sewwhatlulululu6160]

Oh my gosh!!! This video is so old but I just recently wanted to start trying to play spoons! My dad was a spoon player/ guitar player and so much more! I have always had a thing with hitting my girly thighs when music is on and everyone says I’m not doing drum effects- I recently realized I’m doing my dads spoons 🥄 lol I was 7, 8, 9 and 10 when he was musically doing all that- he actually practiced with well known musicians like the band AMERICA he was amazing! Thank you!!!🙏 I’m still trying to work on my spoon grip - but thank you 🙏 Dad hit his head and walls and you name it he was amazing with every instrument!

[@michaelazimmermann301]

Thank you so much, I heard a Lady playing the spoons in an Irish concert when I was a teen and I always wanted to learn that myself...I have been practising for half an hour, And the rhythm is already recognizable. I will keep it up! Many greetings from Germany:-)

[@quirkaze]

Hallo! Je parle un peu de allemande

[@teresasnider5190]

When I was little in the early 60's I saw a spoon player and was fascinated! I ran and got 2 spoons from the kitchen and tried for the life of me to play them. All I did was bang the spoons together and make noise. Later, a toy company, I'm thinking, Hasbro, came out with toy spoons that were attached together with spring action! My Daddy, bless his heart, went out and bought them for me and we would play spoons together! I thought I was really good, but once again I was probably just making noise. As I grew older my facination faded. I sure wish I would have kept up with it! It is a dying art form and I admire you. Thank you! Terry \

[@angelahatfield1365]

My granny played spoons as my mom played the organ. They played gospel and old country... I wish I had the tapes... I would love to hear them again.

[@michelleasunnydays140]

Ah hope you can find people playing music like that to bring back memories.

[@jackgottlob6585]

I’m hoping to add the spoons to my harmonica’ and guitar playing. If I can’t dazzle them with talent maybe I can baffle them another way. Thanks for posting thr lesson.

[@DaveRuch]

Good luck!

[@allicatcm]

I love how he’s still responding to comments practically six years later 😂 Great video by the way!

[@daveruch6196]

Thanks AlliCatcm!

[@CrueLoaf]

Thank you. Going to make an excellent Christmas Turn!! My late Grandad used to play the spoons!

[@DaveRuch]

Excellent! Let us know how it goes...

[@majacernigoj7206]

Thank you very much for this video!! I work in kindergarten - i am going to learn to play , can't wait, the kids will love it, no doubt!! Greetings from Slovenia:)) Maja

[@DaveRuch]

Excellent! Love to hear it.

[@guitarteacherjohn8174]

That was awesome my 6 year old daughter watched your video over and over and she is playing really good thank you

[@daveruch6196]

Thanks for making my day!

[@elementscity4204]

In a month or two I'm preforming a cover of Spoonman on drums and I need to break into a spoon solo in the middle. I'm counting on you

[@lucijalucija7794]

Did it went well?

[@karleedawnbloom3307]

i love how patient u seem. i do not do well with rhythm so this is good practice for me. ive been wanting to really learn a percussive instrument. im practicing with plastic spoons first cuz my metal ones are really heavy and hurt my eczema fingers.

[@DaveRuch]

Good luck!

[@Michele-ul9ei]

I watched a man play the spoons when I went on a field trip to a ghost town here in Colorado in 3rd grade. I’m now 40 and just learned everything you showed in 30 min and having the time of my life 😆 Thank you for this!!

[@DaveRuch]

AWESOME!

[@JorgeRomero-j1w]

Gracias, nunca había tocado música con cucharas , en pocos minutos me hizo sentir feliz, gracias!!

[@Sunshine-18-0]

Thank you. You are a great teacher. I could learn this lesson in a short period of time.

[@angelas3864]

Thank you very much for posting this video! You are an excellent teacher! Much appreciated! 😀

[@DaveRuch]

my pleasure!

[@Rayhaku808]

I was watching Celtic Woman. I have to learn how to do that, now I'm here.

[@tylerglenn7811]

I am a behavioral coach for children and like finding fun ways to help them practice a growth mindset. This video is perfect! Thanks!

[@DaveRuch]

Fantastic! Glad you found your way here...

[@tellerbach]

Wonderful tutorial, sir!! Thank you! I will continue to teach my students, and anyone who wants to learn. It is obvious you love to share the joy of music. God bless you! Mom told me once they sound like tap dancing. Keep on spreading the joy!

[@jamesm.3967]

My dad used to put masking tape on the handles …tape them together. 😊

[@simont936]

To dave thank you very much for doing this and making it public.... i don't know how better to say it. I do it on right hand and knock on left knee, what you have there is left hand set i think, i have right hand set, so i am doing phi chi and theta with Z beuing upwards, imagine Continetnal flying into Buffalo, its UP is your Z and then we have three rotational axes. But thank you very much for teaching children during lockdown. Know Buffalo a bit, not too well, been there a couple of times from Toronto,. Nice city. BEcause I speak Hungarian each day and have to speak very clipped English I can't speak in my native Cockney accent.... But thank you so much kosszonem szepen for making this public. Kerten (in my garden) I literally played the spoons, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge kosszonem szepen for doing it so children(gyeremerek in Hungarian) will learn. With lockdown they have no musical education here now, or any execpt home teaching. I am no musician, I can get there withing a note or eight, but don't ask me to do Beethoven's .He was known to like a drink. "Go Easty, Mr Beethoven, That was your fifth"......

[@FunfteKatz]

fantastic!! trying to learn about spoons now since hearing Vufcup mention it in their song Barnyard Shuffle.

[@dr.florence]

This is awesome, thanks! My mom and I are having a blast!

[@DaveRuch]

Excellent!

[@garykaufman8128]

Great teaching, Dave, you've taken the "mystery" out of playing the spoons! Nice Video.

[@daveruch6196]

Glad to hear it @BanjerString

[@sentimentaloldme]

Tip: To stop the spoons from slipping off your fingers place electrical insulating tape around each spoon where it sits between your fingers.. After that it's basically learning the different rhythms & making up your own beats to match the tune. By the way don't try to play them in Ireland...Just have a listen to 'The Spoons Murder" here on KZbin 😆...I also notice that you can now purchase wooden spoons attached together to prevent them slipping from your fingers. However I think the sound from the kitchen spoons sound better and you can get different sounds from them.

[@DaveRuch]

Thanks for jumping in here, Michael! I agree about the attached spoons, though for some people, they've made a big difference. I just published Part II if you're interested - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoDViqqEoaytn68

[@DomThePsy]

nice practice. i can even make the simple noice a few times.. but then my hand gets so sweaty that the spoon below everytime slips

[@sliotharball]

Try tea spoons first..

[@Ken-rw9xw]

Thanks for the tutorial. Love it!

[@DaveRuch]

Glad! Did you find Part II?

[@salsaandbachatalessons]

What a wonderful explanation ❤

[@cincyfanjunglecity9871]

Hey thank you for the very good video. Very explanatory and you made it very simple to learn. 👍

[@levistutzke4010]

You are a great teacher 👍

[@carmelbradshaw5325]

OMG thank you so much I've always dreamt of playing the spoons your teaching is real easy to follow thanks for your patience

[@DaveRuch]

Glad to hear it!

[@_nameless_2607]

Thank you for this!! I write ballads for fun and was looking for more instruments I can play in them instead of just my lute or mandolin!

[@jmjlori]

Thank you for teaching this. I want to learn and teach my grandsons.

[@DaveRuch]

good luck!

[@rainbowdashisdabest146]

I never knew i would be so good at playing the spoons!

[@gemmaskate]

What a cute lil skill to learn! Great tutorial!

[@daveruch6196]

Thanks Gemma - best of luck with it!

[@simont936]

I have the spoons and I know your accent, I speak several languages incliding American :) Flown into Buffalo many a time, via YYZ and so on. Thank you so much for educating people. Actually because I am right handed i do the spoons on my right hand and knock on my left knee, Thank you so much to teach basic musical education in this time of lockdown. From a Brit who lives in Hungary. I do actually was playing the spoons honestly yesterday but I have to be very quieet because of lockdown, I do on right hand and left knee.

[@simont936]

I am playing ghe sppons right now but I have to be very quier cos of lockdowbn Thank you for teaching people vbasic musix, I wukk subg akióóóóóóóó sing along with you very quietly I am doibg 6/8 time

[@DaveRuch]

Enjoy!

[@MrAbthomas]

Thanks for the lesson. I’m going to give it a go!!!

[@DaveRuch]

Good luck!

[@madison0348]

i learned the basics. Great teacher, thank you!

[@DaveRuch]

You're very welcome!

[@sayidrayhan5442]

Here I am, at 2 AM, alone in my bedroom, do something that I will never do in my entire my life. Thank you youtube algorithm

[@kairussell2156]

Got the one, two pattern down no problem, but it's surprisingly difficult getting the one, two, THREE, four pattern up to speed. In particular, I'm a little uncertain on the re-angling of the spoons. To compensate for this, I've been changing the angle by extending the spoons to a farther part of my leg, such that it's no longer simply an up and down motion. It changes the angle but slightly throws off my timing. I'll need to work on this.

[@DaveRuch]

Yep, just keep at it. It won't take long. Practice it slowly until you start to feel it, then you can increase the tempo more easily

[@michelleasunnydays140]

As I learned along with this video, I heard stop it stop stop it stop stop go outside....in the back ground...once I get going though, I will play spoons to that beat of everyone saying stop it, in my fairly very quiet house...except when I am learning something new. 😁

[@miranda8423]

That's so great! I have to learn how to play spoons now. Thank you!

[@josephbradshaw4092]

Thanks for sharing this. I am going to give it a try.

[@agentlaurasmith]

Dave, thanks, this was fun! Do you have any videos of you playing the spoons for a full song?

[@daveruch6196]

+Laura Smith Hi Laura - glad you enjoyed! I don't have any video of myself playing a full song, but you can certainly find lots of others on KZbin.

[@Melanie-hm5dk]

That's a great tutorial, I'll try it later!

[@carolesauer7800]

Great , thanks a mil!!

[@Chaoticraindrop311]

Omg I'm obsessed!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TheDarianHernandez]

Love reading your articles!!

[@daveruch6196]

Glad to hear that Darian! Best of luck to you.

[@centsible12]

Are there more videos on this? By Dave Ruch, I mean

[@daveruch6196]

Sure thing, just type my name into the KZbin search box and you'll find more! Thanks for watching.

[@centsible12]

@@daveruch6196 Thanks ! I will look for it

[@trishscharnowske3431]

Dave R...thank you for sharing& helping.

[@daveruch6196]

You're welcome!

[@Frederiekje221]

This. This is the vid I needed. Thank you!

[@DaveRuch]

Sweet!

[@85hydz]

great tutorial

[@DaveRuch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aaliyahraks]

thank you Dave ... that was a great tutorial

[@DaveRuch]

Glad to hear it!

[@mrjohnpmuir]

Your an excellent teacher ;-)

[@DaveRuch]

Glad it was helpful John.

[@-Diana469]

Your a very good teacher! Thank you!

[@daveruch6196]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ivka_7]

You dont know how much you helped me with this video❤️❤️❤️thank you so musch❤️❤️❤️

[@daveruch6196]

Great! Glad to hear it.

[@anniebalsbaugh2093]

great info. your video is very nicely done! thank you!, now for me getting over being afraid to try!. i really want to learn. im nearly 50. hope Im not too old!😊

[@teresasnider5190]

We are never to o old to learn! Good Luck!

[@brendazuschin6099]

I'm 69 and learning. Never too old!!

[@geralds.9934]

Hey I'm a few hours north from you in a small city called Ogdensburg. This is the REAL northcountry up here, bud!

[@daveruch6196]

Been there many times, and yes it is!

[@Heyitsbrittany]

Hello! Do you ever recommend hand crafted joined wooden spoons?

[@daveruch6196]

I recommend whatever works!

[@vincevaughn3189]

You lost me at “Sunny buffalo New York” haha

[@DaveRuch]

It does happen!

[@Lorem_lpsum_]

Thank you for the spoon content- a lot of people tryna learn it but its hard info to find 🤙

[@thecrowrains]

Thank you albeit late, for posting this tutorial. Just started taking an interest in actually practicing spoons. Do you remember Artis from Seattle? He was known for performing in the Seattle grunge band music-video 'Spoon Man' by Soundgarden, among other notable mentions in the Pacific Northwest. I've always admired playing spoons, but from a distance. Perhaps my practicing will stick. Peace!

[@meowsmakemusic718]

Still play?

[@carmelcrowley158]

Wouldnt that be a great idea for kids at home, you are a good teacher

[@fostib3467]

This is so neat !

[@juliebee7696]

Iam enjoying learning to play the spoons but am finding the spoons make painful blisters on my fingers, perhaps iam not holding them right any tips ? thanks your videos are great 👍💕

[@daveruch6196]

Try plastic!

[@mcmicheal4140]

Spoons 101! Thanks Dave. Now I don't have to bring my Bongos to a bonfire, when guitarist will be there

[@DaveRuch]

Ha!

[@tellerbach]

Brought my spoons to Ireland, not in my pocket of course....bought a new bohdran in Galway! Mom says spoons sound like tap dancing! I also teach my elem students with plastic spoons...lots of annoyed parents LOL This was a GREAT tutorial, Dave. Thank you, sir!

[@mukhumor]

Does yer Mom know yer playin' with her spoons man?

[@donaldmcneill3832]

haha FUNNY!!! 😂

[@joycehagaman533]

Mom

[@MichielBasson]

Great video. Definitely adding the spoons to my repertoire😊

[@daveruch6196]

Glad to hear it Michiel!

[@MikeScottAnimation]

Good vid thanks

[@davidhill1220]

Great teacher Thank you Patricia

[@thud6823]

Thank you!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@daysofwineandroses1723]

Great video~♡

[@daveruch6196]

Thank you!

[@edwardj5571]

Thanks I needed this for my maths homework 😂 Edit: no really I actually did.

[@alohaandanarchy]

Amazing tutorial, thank you!

[@DaveRuch]

Glad you liked!

[@simont936]

I PLAY THE SPOONS. CLIVE DUNN COMIC RECORD 1971ó0 WELL DONE FOR TEACHING CHILDREN MUSIC

[@brandyells1166]

Looked this up for a character reference but decided to give it a shot myself! Thanks for sharing!

[@toxicgamer978]

Brandy Ells Loki???

[@luizphilipeamorimdeazevedo1155]

Muito feliz com sua explicação! Como é gratificante ver alguém ensinar com alegria! Parabéns (portuguese)

[@tonycampbell4982]

Very cool

[@stuartracing1]

Great help, thanks.....

[@tulasideviful]

Do your leg or fingers get bruised? Looks like a distinct possibility :)

[@jenniferknott3595]

thank you so much😀😀

[@daveruch6196]

You're so welcome!

[@simont936]

I probably typws rhis a bit wrong as I am on Hungarian keyboars public. Md layout. Literally I have been out this evining in my own garden playing the spoons. Thank you, in hungarian kosszonem szepen that meaans thank you very much, for doing this and making it public. In Hungary we are seven hours ahead of you in Bffalo if I got that correct, but thank you kosszi for making this kossyonem. My keyboard here switches from British English to Hungarian so please excuse my spelling mistakes. Literal, kosszonly I went out in my small garden and played the spoons. I did so quite quietly cos of lockdown etc. Thank you very much kosszonem szepen "szep" in Hungarian means good, "szepen" means "Better" or "The Best". I imagine you know that Freddy Flour, that is Liszt Ference in Hungarian (we do names in reverse order) has a few good tunes.... :)

[@Hereticbliss322]

Thanks Dave I am now a spoonman and the ladies love it.

[@DaveRuch]

Of course they do!

[@oz-ska-fest4580]

Thank you

[@jameelacathe7666]

i learned really easily thank you so much

[@daveruch6196]

Jameela Cathe glad to hear it!

[@uhhuhlisenboy5502]

Thank you for this :)

[@BryanBarcelo]

Good stuff!

[@rosebarnwell6016]

Thank you so much for doing this. You wouldn’t believe the interest in it

[@daveruch6196]

Glad to hear it Rose. Are you a teacher?

[@cordock85]

Thanks Dave. I think I may be using the wrong type of spoon as they leave a mark on my hands. Any preference when choosing spoons?

[@daveruch6196]

Hi Chris - rounded ends are best in my experience.

[@joglover3829]

Very good information. Would be nice to have the camera pointed down so we can see them hitting the leg too.

[@daveruch6196]

+Jo Glover Thanks for the great suggestion, Jo. Next video I will do just that.

[@itzkat5154]

Very useful … 👍

[@craigshorey5604]

Is this your only video about playing the spoons?

[@DaveRuch]

It is, but there are lots of other good ones out there.

[@DaveRuch]

Just published - Part II on How to Play the Spoons: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoDViqqEoaytn68

[@larrydelk4867]

Does it matter if it's a table spoon or tea spoon?

[@Beth-ir1wj]

Tablespoons make a better sound and are easier to keep a hold of for adult hands.

[@lisanichols1744]

Great video, thank you!!!

[@daveruch6196]

You are very welcome Lisa.

[@TheMirinthia]

Thank you!!!

[@DaveRuch]

Glad it was helpful!