How did we get here, you may ask? Well, I was driving home from work the other night thinking about how some musicians have it better than others when it comes to playing an instrument that lends itself to stage showmanship.

You see, I have an imaginary band. I can't seem to be arsed to get around to it, but I collect songs we would play, collections of songs we would mashup, etc.

So I was mulling over the predicament of the keyboard player. Pressing on keys. Visually limited, unless you're engaging in fast complicated runs up and down the keyboard. Granted, Rick Wakeman did have a nice cape that lent him a great deal of flash when the lights were on it (link).

Then, in a flash, it came to me. The guiro player (link) does not exactly have a boring job - there's plenty of activity to be watched. But there's room for improvement.

First see the guiro link. Then check out Bear Grylls, the clown of video survivalists, and his fire starter. Then imagine, the firestarter guiro. The grooves of the guiro are covered with the magnesium fire starter material.

As you dance around the stage, scratching up a stacatto rhythm, your band mates struggle to keep you from setting their gear on fire. Never a dull moment for the audience.
-- normzone, Nov 01 2012

Rick Wakeman, with Yes http://www.worleygi...ck-wakeman-cape.jpg
I saw these boys in San Diego, in 1973 [normzone, Nov 01 2012]

Guiro http://www.youtube....watch?v=-WCQeMix42o
[normzone, Nov 01 2012]

Bear Grylls - If we were stranded together in the wilderness, I'd use him for fish bait. http://www.youtube....20E&feature=related
[normzone, Nov 01 2012]

Searching for "electric guiro" and it eventually led to this... http://www.idakoos....aying-guiro,1931839
Of course, this is coming from a man who has extensively researched the electric autoharp... [normzone, Nov 04 2012]

Might not be a good idea: I've a reasonable sense of timing but the drummer in one band requested that I burn the egg-shaker I was using when I didn't have any kb parts to play. Seems there's a fair bit of muscle memory involved somewhere.

[+] haw.
-- FlyingToaster, Nov 05 2012


+ yeah go ahead!!
-- xandram, Nov 05 2012


Firestarter Guido? Wasn't he arrested with Lemmy the Snitch and Big Louie?
-- BunsenHoneydew, Nov 06 2012


Rick still has the cape, btw.
-- BunsenHoneydew, Nov 06 2012



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