The hambone is a musical technique in which you basically play your body like a drum set. By touching different parts of the body (for example, the thighs and chest), you can make different sounds to create a rhythm. If you want to learn how to play hambone, you can easily practice at home, as it does not require any special equipment. As you practice and become more comfortable playing, you can create faster and more complex rhythms.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Play a Basic Canter Rhythm
Step 1. Clap just above your thighs
You can play while sitting or standing. Keep your non-dominant hand pointing up so that it is about 6 inches (15 cm) above your lap. Hit the center of the open palm with your dominant hand. Tap your palm with your fingers for a louder clap.
- Avoid slapping your palms together, as they won't make a louder sound.
- You should clap as softly as you can while still making noise so your hands don't hurt.
Step 2. Hit the knee with your dominant hand
Immediately after clapping your hands, slide your dominant hand out of your palm toward your leg. Tap your knee with your fingers for a lighter slapping sound. Bring your hand directly to the side to finish the movement.
- If you want to make a louder sound, try hitting the upper thigh with your hand.
- If you wear pants or jeans, you will prevent it from hurting so much while playing hambone, but you can also touch bare skin.
- Avoid wearing baggy pants when playing hambone, as they may muffle the sound.
Step 3. Hit the other knee with your non-dominant hand
As soon as you hear the slap on the first knee, bend your non-dominant hand so that it is pointing downward. Swing your arm down to hit the other knee with your palm. Slide your hand off the leg until it is straight down.
You can also hit the same knee with both hands if it's easier for you
Step 4. Increase the speed as you become more comfortable playing
Raise your hands again and clap your hands to start the beat again. Practice the basic movements slowly at first until you get used to them and make consistent sounds with each of your strokes. Start picking up the beat to play it faster each time. As you accelerate, the blows will start to sound like a galloping horse.
If you have trouble keeping a steady pace, try kicking in time each time you hit your second knee
Method 2 of 3: Learn the Hambone Song
Step 1. Raise your dominant hand to strike the side of your thigh
You can play while sitting or standing, so choose what is most comfortable for you. Start with your dominant hand down to the side with your palm open. Quickly rotate your hand forward to strike the side of your thigh.
- Avoid hitting with great force, as it will hurt and hurt if you keep playing.
- Try hitting the thigh with just your fingertips to create a lower sound.
Step 2. Hit in the middle of the chest with the same hand
Continue with the movement of the hand and bring it to the center of the chest. Strike your sternum with your fingertips to create a kick drum-like thud.
Keep your wrists loose throughout the movement. Otherwise, it will be more difficult for you to do it
Step 3. Hit the upper thigh with the back of your hand
Drop your hand from your chest, keeping your palm pointing up. Hit the upper thigh with the backs of your fingers to create a quick slapping sound. Bring your hand back to your side to complete the strike.
Make sure there is nothing in your pockets that you can hit by accident, as this will muffle the sound and make your fingers hurt more
Step 4. Repeat the same 3 strokes
Now that you are back to the starting position, immediately raise your hand once more to strike the side of the thigh. Keep moving your hand up until you hit your chest with your fingers. Then drop your hand to hit the upper thigh again.
Step 5. Hit the side of the thigh for the final note
Hit the thigh once more with the flat of your hand so that it sounds a little louder than all the other hits. After hitting your thigh for the last time, bring your hand back down to your side and rest for a bit.
Always pause for silence after your last hit to add more emphasis
Step 6. Repeat the rhythm to keep it steady
You can tap to keep a steady pace. While playing at your own pace, tap the side of the thigh as you tap your foot. Slowly begin to go through the rhythm at first until you get used to executing it in a fluid motion. Once you feel comfortable playing slowly, you can increase the tempo to improve how fast you play.
You may find it difficult to master the rhythm and movements at first, so keep practicing as long as you can until you see improvements
Method 3 of 3: Improvise Different Techniques
Step 1. Practice using both hands at the same time
Although you can play with only your dominant arm, it is also possible to create more complex rhythms by using both arms. If you play the rhythm of the hambone song, try doing the same movements with your non-dominant hand and the other thigh. This will feel awkward at first, so start slow and increase your speed as you become more comfortable playing.
- Alternate the hands you use while playing so that one side of your body doesn't hurt as much.
- As you become more comfortable using your non-dominant hand, try to hit the same leg with both hands. One hand will hit the outside of the thigh while the other will hit the inside.
Step 2. Add clapping and stomping to keep a steady pace
You have to stomp your foot through the improv to keep up. If you want to create a louder sound, you can lift your entire foot and plant it on the ground. If you want to add emphasis to the beat, try clapping instead of hitting the side of your thigh.
Stomping works best if you are playing on a solid, hard surface, as it will create more noise
Step 3. Alternate between hitting the knee and the palm to create a fast beat
Keep your non-dominant hand above the knee on your dominant side with your palm pointing downward. Keep your dominant hand between your knee and your other hand. Hit the knee with your dominant hand. Immediately raise your hand to strike the non-dominant palm with the back of your hand. Hit the knee with your dominant hand one more time. Then hit the other knee with your non-dominant hand. Move your dominant hand over the other knee and hit it with the back of your dominant hand.
- Hit the back of your hand just below the knuckles for a fuller sound.
- It will likely take several attempts before you master the hand movements, so keep practicing and don't get discouraged.
Step 4. Try to hit your elbows and forearms for a more energetic sound
Keep your non-dominant arm in front of you with your elbow flexed to 90 degrees and your palm pointing toward your body. Raise your dominant hand above your head, and lower it between your body and your non-dominant arm. Hit the base of the forearm with the backs of your fingers as you move your hand down. Then raise your arm again to hit the bottom of your forearm with your fingers. Lastly, hit your elbow on your dominant arm with your non-dominant hand.
- This will create a fun variation of the canter pattern that you can incorporate into a routine or rhythm.
- Roll up long-sleeved shirts before you start playing, or the blows will sound muffled.
Step 5. Touch your cheeks while you open your mouth to emit different tones
Open your mouth as wide as you can and place your lips in an "O" shape. Place your fingertips on your cheeks and alternate slapping on each side. Reduce the shape of the “O” so that the sounds are higher-pitched, and increase the shape so that the note drops.
Be careful not to hit your face too hard while playing. You just need to pat yourself on the cheeks
Step 6. Bang your mouth open if you want to create a loud popping sound
Open your mouth as wide as possible and press your lips into an "O" shape. Keep your fingers together and tap your lips to cover your mouth. The popping will add emphasis to your beat and make it sound more fun.
You can probably change the pitch of the sound by opening your mouth more or less
Step 7. Play hambone with a partner to create stronger, more complex rhythms
Ask some friends to practice and play the same rhythms as you. Everyone should tap lightly at the same pace to prevent you from slowing down or picking up your pace. Once you can play the same thing together simultaneously, try playing different beats at the same time to add more layers and complexity to the song.
Advice
- It will take a little time to get used to the movements when you start playing. Keep practicing, and over time you will be able to play faster.
- There is no "right" way to play hambone, so you can experiment by playing different rhythms and hitting different parts of your body to see which sounds better.