How to Start a Jug Band

Starting a jug band can be a wonderful way to revive some of the old-time traditions associated with American music. One of the reasons for their success is that jug bands can use a variety of instruments, including those made from unconventional materials. As long as you've got some jug-band instruments and folks to play them, you too can start a jug band.

Instructions

1. Get a jug. You can't have an official jug band without a jug, although there are some jug-less groups out there that call themselves jug bands. A jug band is, for the most part, a string band that incorporates a wind section--which, of course, includes the jug. The standard jug is made from ceramic material, but just about any liquid containers, such as bottles or cans, can be used as jugs.

2. Prepare the jug. Empty the jug of its contents, clean it and make sure it's fairly sterile, as you'll be putting mouth on and around the jug.

3. Gather some instruments. In order to have a band, you'll need a few more instruments. Many instruments found in a jug band are improvised or unconventional instruments such as the washboard, washtub bass, spoons, mouth harp and kazoo. Jug bands have also been known to incorporate the fiddle, banjo, harmonica and violin.

4. Round up some musicians. It's imperative that, whatever instruments are used in your band, you have people who know how to play them.

5. Make sure you're playing jug-band music. Contrary to popular belief, jug-band music is not hillbilly, country or even bluegrass music. Jug bands as we know them today originally come from country and blues music and are heavily influenced by African-American traditions. Make sure that the music you're playing as a jug band is actually considered jug-band music.

Resources

• Visit the Jug Band Music Society for more.