The Lagerphone, also known as the Murrumbidgee River Rattler, is a unique and quirky Australian musical instrument. It has its roots in the British Army, where soldiers played an instrument called the jingling Johnny. Australian bushmen adapted this concept, creating a simple yet surprisingly versatile percussion instrument.

How to Make a Lagerphone:

The Lagerphone is incredibly easy to make.

1. Find a suitable handle: A broom handle or a small, sturdy branch from a tree works perfectly.
2. Create the “rattler”: Attach a serrated stick (like a saw blade or a piece of a metal comb) to one end of the handle. This will be used to strike or “bow” the Lagerphone.

Playing the Lagerphone:

Playing the Lagerphone involves a combination of techniques:

• Striking: Use the serrated stick to strike the handle.
• Bouncing: Tap the handle on the floor to create a rhythmic beat.
• “Bowing”: Drag the serrated stick along the handle to produce a unique sound.

Tips for Playing:

Protect your floor: Attach a rubber stopper to the end of the handle to prevent damage when bouncing.

Experiment with sounds: Try different striking and bouncing techniques to discover a wide range of sounds and rhythms.

Hear the Lagerphone press play below

to explore more music click below to stream this tune and other songs from A Swag Full of Instruments.

Spotify

Apple Music

Amazon

Sound Cloud    

YouTube Music 

Napster

Would you like a video on how to make a lagerphone email us at shows@aswagfullofinstruments.com