Leanin' Sticks

[tsuj510]

Howdy, Men!

I just had a quick question for some other Southern Singers.

When I sing Southern, I am in the habit of drumming with my right hand and leaning on a stick with the left.

Questions is: why do we do this? I never even thought about it, I guess I just saw the other guys "leanin' " while at the Drum and picked it up. Never thought twice about it until I had occasion to.

Any thoughts on this? I do it just because it is comfortable, but maybe there is something more behind this that I don't know-any thoughts? Is there any significance to this that I am missing?

Wa Do!

[Mr Bo Jangles]

Howdy, Men!

I just had a quick question for some other Southern Singers.

When I sing Southern, I am in the habit of drumming with my right hand and leaning on a stick with the left.

Questions is: why do we do this? I never even thought about it, I guess I just saw the other guys "leanin' " while at the Drum and picked it up. Never thought twice about it until I had occasion to.

Any thoughts on this? I do it just because it is comfortable, but maybe there is something more behind this that I don't know-any thoughts? Is there any significance to this that I am missing?

Wa Do!

I've heard it's done to keep your upper body STRAIGHT, so you can get more air into your lungs. ....think about it......an UPRIGHT torso can take in more air than a bent or slightly bent one.

....there might be other explanations seeing as how everyone seems to have their own take or explanation for things.....but, that's my contribution.

They can be beaded, or just plain sticks. I've been given three in my 29 years on Planet Earth......all from older singers who basically said something to the affect of......"any singer worth his salt needs a stick to lean on".

I've found to be somewhat cumbersome though, so, rarely use them.

[SBZ4life]

You got to be Kidding me?

[tsuj510]

Problem?

You got to be Kidding me?

Nope.

You kiddin' me?

[Niwiwan2005]

Leaning on stick

Hmmm...this is interesting thought. I personally never did any leaning...but I agree on proper posture for singing. I have a separate ponder though--originally not mine, but...Why do we use the vocable or word "Yoi" in our songs??
I suspect with every other practice we all do..its tradition.

[WhoMe]

tsalag,

I was told that these sticks do have an origin.

In days gone...

A stick would be passed within a drum to individuals who were going to lead songs. When the song was finished it was passed to the next person who was going to lead the next song.

These sticks were often held straight up (like a staff) or leaned on.

Hope this helps.


The modern leaning stick is less used by the new generation of singers. At traditional dances they are more prevalent.

[tsuj510]

Wa Do to WhoMe and Mr Bo Jangles for your positive feedback.

Thanks for your insight, guys!

Sa Mi

[SBZ4life]

Oh my God!!! This is a stupid thread. STupid Question. Ask something more realistic.

[Niwiwan2005]

Welcome to Absurdity..

If this thread is absurd...then why respond? If you got something better to say...Say-it! The art of conversation begins with a thought..albeit, sometimes an absurd one, but still an original thought...ever been original?

[powwowbum49]

Tsalaghisam

I have a particular leaning/singing stick that was given too me years ago that I use...though I have to admit sometime I just lean on a second drum stick.

Here are a few additional insights/reason that they might be used. The length of a leaning stick is largely a matter of personal preference but I have found that when the leaning stick sets at just about your chin and you have a fist resting on top of it, your voice kinda bounces off that fist and back at your ear allowing you to hear your lead better.

Now another thing that I have heard several old men around the drum say when given a new leaning stick... and I quote "Boy this sure is pretty and it will really be a shame that I can't use it, cause my old one already has all them good songs in it."

A bit more to ponder on.

[SBZ4life]

If this thread is absurd...then why respond? If you got something better to say...Say-it! The art of conversation begins with a thought..albeit, sometimes an absurd one, but still an original thought...ever been original?

Corny corny corny...Where in Oklahoma are you from?

[Niwiwan2005]

Just messin with cha..



I was wondering how long it would take you to respond to the friendly jab. So...What do you really think about this thread's topic? What would be a better topic?

In jest,

Niwiwan

[TacO5000]

lean back... lean back!!!

[LSS]

I was informed of a more descriptive story like the one powwowbum49 mentions. I was also told it typically carried an "arrogant" stigma with it for those "younger" guys who chose to mock the older generations.

My question for you all out there is how many people/drums do you using an actual leaning/singing stick?

[Crowmagnum]

A couple of guys on my drum use a leaning stick, but the tend to be the bigger guys so they slouch when they sing.

Another use for the leaning stick, at least what I was taught, was when you teach a new guy a song you put your left hand on the top of the stick and cover your mouth. That way they have to listen to the song to learn it, so they dont just read your lips. I hope that helps.