The Diddley Bow - How Blues Guitarists Got Their Start

The Diddley Bow - How Blues Guitarists Got Their Start - How to Build

Рет қаралды 190,330

4 жыл бұрын

The Diddley Bow is a folk instrument with deep roots in blues. It's basically an improvised one-string guitar, usually played with a slide. In this video I'm gonna make one. Plus, how to hit your thumb with a hammer.
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Пікірлер: 303

@toddkelly4970 4 жыл бұрын

Sounding better with one string than I ever will with six!

@knowun 4 жыл бұрын

You can compliment someone without discouraging yourself mate. You just gotta practice

@chucklemuchuckle2170 4 жыл бұрын

Ok u must be really bad then

@voornaam3191 4 жыл бұрын

@@chucklemuchuckle2170 No strings attached!

@hare6227 4 жыл бұрын

Dude im spanish and all this blues story is so far away from me, but you make this so tangible and pure. I´ve loved blues since i was a child and you are giving me so mutch context to understand the roots. Cant express how mutch i thank you!

@juanpalmer5642 3 жыл бұрын

Uruguayo. Hijo de español. Amante del blues y el flamenco. Salud!

@hare6227 8 ай бұрын

loved that

@paintriarchdave7977 4 жыл бұрын

"And who says you need to buy a guitar?" Jack White (puts cigarette down)

@morkusmorkus6040 4 жыл бұрын

His one sounds like shit though. This one sounds fire!

@kalypso4133 3 жыл бұрын

I do, as even though you can make it super cheap, it didn't sound very good. If you wanna make actual music, just buy an actual guitar...

@zoleroid7027 3 жыл бұрын

@@kalypso4133 well I'm broke so diddley bow it is

@ms.gaoteacheschinese1907 4 жыл бұрын

It's magic to build an instrument with things that look like unrelated to an instrument.

@nellymoriarty_5783 4 жыл бұрын

Cigar box guitar

@MrPoodleguy 4 жыл бұрын

I very much appreciate Edward Phillips keeping the birth of the blues alive & well! I’m an 84 yr old white guy who’s been in love with the blues ever since I was a young boy. Bing Crosby & Tennis Shoe Ernie just didn’t do it for me!!

@popcorns6472 4 жыл бұрын

Crazy to me that people can get that old without growing out of the 'I'm special!' mindset. If it's even true, of course, this is the internet.

@fireinthesun2408 3 жыл бұрын

Hes not saying that Steve you cockwomble just enjoy the video

@MrPoodleguy 3 жыл бұрын

Steve Jobs: WTF are you trying to say??

@shintenkai1648 3 жыл бұрын

@@popcorns6472 how do you have an issue with nostalgia. You make gas look like a solid you melt.

@PixelSubstream 4 жыл бұрын

Surprisingly clean sound for such a simple design

@Peasmouldia 4 жыл бұрын

A tune that works really well on the Diddly Bow is Lafayette Railroad by Lowel George. It's a perfect one string melody.

@alanbarnett718 4 жыл бұрын

I always wondered how people so dirt poor could afford a guitar. Now it sort of makes sense. Thanks!

@omgvague 4 жыл бұрын

There were also lots of hand-me-downs and busted up guitars that barely held together.

@craniifer 4 жыл бұрын

Not unheard of for people to build their own instruments. A lot of banjos were made of cake pans and scrap wood.

@lofiwackpainting7439 4 жыл бұрын

Paul Porada I’ve seen those, cool stuff.

@nameymcnameface6657 4 жыл бұрын

That sounds really good actually. Imagine making a six string version of this, hooking ut up to an amp, and doing some Hendrix-style things with it. It's probably just a guitar with less steps, but it'd be fun to make and use.

@LadyYdak 9 ай бұрын

The action is A too high up and B at an angle making slides required to play

@MainGEntertainment 3 жыл бұрын

You sold me when you showed us how to make a guitar slide out of a beer bottle, this has just taken torturing my wife to a whole new level, thank you.

@skaterscott2540 4 жыл бұрын

I made one out of my old broken skateboard deck😂

@Lee_music249 4 жыл бұрын

Try rubber bands and a calculator case 😬

@bombercountyblues 4 жыл бұрын

As a c.b.g. builder and former skater, I very much approve..

@cbernar699 4 жыл бұрын

I made one outta toothpicks and a horseshoe once....

@user-co3tr6yl7r 4 жыл бұрын

Didn't expect Jack White to show up when clicking on the thumbnail.

@mykilpee 4 жыл бұрын

Idk how but I love all of this.

@navywoman7709 4 жыл бұрын

A very nice video Edward, you really “nailed” it en now your thumb’s got the Blues too...😉 please show us more, this is so interesting for all the Blues lovers❣️

@NeoZwo 4 жыл бұрын

wow it has the right nice tone for playing the blues i love it

@ivyking4149 4 жыл бұрын

Awe... Some... Bo Diddley, Diddley Bo, it all comes together now🤯

@MLFranklin 4 жыл бұрын

This is awesome. Should be a requirement in every school.

@birdlady2725 3 жыл бұрын

Could mix History with shop and music! Cool project - even better for the kids doing scool at home during co vid.

@knightforlorn6731 3 жыл бұрын

this was utterly enlightening. to think that such sound is possible from 1 string

@Gabe-1997 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for everything! in every single video you produce, it's clear that you have outstanding knowledge and affection for blues.

@wulfclaw4921 3 жыл бұрын

This one sounds better than 99.9% Of them made !! Great work !

@lesshrubb203 4 жыл бұрын

Very educational, thank you Edward. It’s always interesting learning about the early blues musicians and their instruments, and this video is one of the best!

@winky_cat 4 жыл бұрын

That's so awesome!!! Edward you can play anything and make it rock

@nellymoriarty_5783 4 жыл бұрын

So Cool Nothing like history & how they made good times in hard days We love history so Many Thanks Always 🤘👏

@navywoman7709 4 жыл бұрын

Nelly Moriarty_ ...or: they made good days in hard times...

@tylerjordan292 4 жыл бұрын

I can’t wait to see all the funny comments when this gets put back in my recommended in a couple years from now.

@frogsale 4 жыл бұрын

you're absolutely right

@emma472 3 жыл бұрын

This is so awesome! I loved the history lesson with this. Thanks for teaching us about another beautiful culture :)

@kylerdymond6592 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing this! It was a fun build!

@skeggiskjeldarson9513 4 жыл бұрын

Good fun - thanks for the posting!

@mr.smithgnrsmith7808 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome dude, love what you do...so many don’t know shit about the legendary music/musicians that started it all....keep doing what you do man, you’re a fantastic musician yourself and a great teacher of music history

@blastosist 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I hadn’t heard of this instrument before and therefore didn’t realize the origin of “Bo Diddley “.

@ebbanjenkins5960 4 жыл бұрын

Me too..awesome to get this knowledge!

@mrlofi333 4 жыл бұрын

DONT forget to mention why my people created what we call American Pop/Blues/Jazz/Funk/Rnb/Gospel. Because of slavery ! The evil white founder's of America ! White RACISM is why blues is so blue.

@ebbanjenkins5960 4 жыл бұрын

@@mrlofi333 without slavery no Blues with no Blues no Rock..Slavery Rocks!...hang on,that didn't come out right

@mrlofi333 4 жыл бұрын

@@pvrichards07 if it wasn't for the kind and generous white man? The same one who you say taught slaves? So slavery is alright just as long as they were taught a hobbie from what you're saying? Sounds about white

@omgvague 4 жыл бұрын

@@mrlofi333 You're so damn blinded by white hatred that you couldn't see he was making fun of Jordan.

@meziens15 4 жыл бұрын

I never knew this, thanks for this video man! I really had a blast watching you make that Diddley Bow sound good man! awesome.

@sgwoodward3017 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, Edward!

@Shiyounin 3 жыл бұрын

That was dope af, man. Thank you for this. Liked, and subscribed.

@russellzauner 4 жыл бұрын

Me: hold on let me tune up me git ar Also Me: *bends nail*

@matthiasbreiter4177 3 жыл бұрын

I never heard about this instrument before. Thanks for sharing :)

@salome767 2 жыл бұрын

Would never have thought those tunes could be played with one string

@michaellittlewood3032 4 жыл бұрын

Best video today. Glad it appeared on my feed. Hungry for musical knowledge. So hungry.

@PGmodat 3 жыл бұрын

coolest thing ive seen in a long time. many thanks for the vid

@TheTonester2312 4 жыл бұрын

Really cool. I love the history behind it. 🤘🔥😎

@joshuabruno8181 4 жыл бұрын

Great use for a string I'll be looking for later!

@duaneholcomb8408 3 жыл бұрын

You really know your stuff. Impressive thanks for the history lesson. Really enjoyed that. Little known fact,,,

@MrTodd2000 15 күн бұрын

Awesome, not annoying .

@eddielee6490 3 жыл бұрын

Now see this is what Im talking about . Watching your videos you add a bit of Blues history lesson , heres one on a basic Blues instrument. Keep up the good work Edward its very much appreciated thank you .

@globyois 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent. Didn’t know about that, thanks.

@friedi_fx 3 жыл бұрын

This is so cool!!

@WKWenzEnterprises 5 ай бұрын

The Blues singer pictured was Moses "Doorman" Williams. He liked big diddley bows often using large planks and sometimes used an entire door, hence his nickname. He called his diddley bow a "yakety board".

@fabianblanco2 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mr. Phillips.

@heresjonny. 2 жыл бұрын

Love that sound

@rrguitar1 3 жыл бұрын

That's great man.

@conanthedestroyer7123 4 жыл бұрын

Cool stuff!

@lambdacalculus3505 4 жыл бұрын

Great video as always :)

@PrisonLaParis 4 жыл бұрын

Love the channel man! Keep it up!!!

@MatGurman 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for the video and the history lesson. You play real good too brother!

@donwright3427 4 жыл бұрын

That's my weekend project sorted

@daspedal2730 4 жыл бұрын

so fckn on my level. love you Edward!!!!!!

@rustamgani6826 3 жыл бұрын

Great! Thanks and good luck

@writehandman2833 2 жыл бұрын

Very cool! I think some grandkids are going to be very happy for not much money.

@oueuc2 3 жыл бұрын

That looks like my neck of the woods, in the Ozarks.

@chrisosborne6957 4 жыл бұрын

Greta video, going to make one with my boys. Would love to see a vid on the gear you use, amps pedals that sort of thing

@brainc0la-_- 3 жыл бұрын

I'm going to ruin some peoples summers with this bow. Nice.

@tdiary8237 3 жыл бұрын

awesome!

@canadianpatriot2891 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I will annoy my neighbours after I make my own! 👍🏻😂🇨🇦

@stockicide 3 жыл бұрын

Never have I sympathized more with someone's hammering style.

@agustinvidalmusic 4 жыл бұрын

sounds pretty good

@tracymcdougal4729 4 жыл бұрын

Ncredible , i love it man

@groovr22 4 жыл бұрын

I'm SO glad to be a subscriber of yours..! I always get a smile on my face when I get a badge on my KZfaq app, and it's from YOUR CHANNEL..! Ya scared me a little when you smacked your left hand/finger(s) with that hammer "Oww". I'm assuming no damage was done to your "frettin' digits"...? Is that "John Henry" in the background..? Thanks for posting..!!! My only comment/advice, is that you shoulda started with a FULL bottle of beer... Drank a bit during construction... And then added the EMPTY bottle once it was depleted..! Hehhee.. Please Keep on entertaining us...!

@albertovelazquezramirez5109 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting man !!

@yourmum8434 4 жыл бұрын

Built one of these when i was 15 out of a biscuit tin and a bed slat. Used some old nuts and bolts and shit like that to give it a bridge and a nut and then put a tuner and a string on it 😂

@karabenomar 4 жыл бұрын

I'm stuck building mine... :( I got the wood, nails and string but all the beer bottles I found in stores are full! Anywhere I can buy an empty one or convert one from full to empty? Thanks!

@blindboymusic8262 4 жыл бұрын

Just use a coke bottle or any glass bottle like spirte or fanta.

@perrinfarquhar4633 4 жыл бұрын

drink a beer

@midknight6036 3 жыл бұрын

If your underage still drink it, everything is legal as long as you dont get caught

@mikamo 3 жыл бұрын

Life hack: you can buy an empty one in the little stores behind the regular stores. They’re super cool and hipster, they’re on wheels, and the roofs come off! Nothing ever gets stale, ‘cause they have a deal with the locals where the city sends a truck to dump out their inventory, so everything in there is hella fresh EVERY WEEK! But they’ll usually sell you an empty beer bottle 👍

@poisonvax1927 3 жыл бұрын

Lmfao!!

@bikesandcampswithcats 3 жыл бұрын

Alright, from down by the state where I grew up! Play it, brother. Might try that out.

@SlowToe 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome content 🤟🏽

@serviciotecnico2045 3 жыл бұрын

I love this video

@nashwilliams5852 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome

@Dr.LessCharacter 3 жыл бұрын

This was cool enough that i subscribed.....

@Buddhamaniac 4 жыл бұрын

👍 good stuff, this.

@kimbaptempura4073 4 жыл бұрын

One of the coolest videos I've stumbled upon....ever. I saw the thumbnail and thought, "it's gonna sound like shit" WRONG! Thanks....I'm gonna make one...and if anyone else is thinking they might, hit like on this video.....seriously, fucking cool.

@bearshield7138 Жыл бұрын

nice job

@Driftwoodgeorge 3 жыл бұрын

I wanna make one, Thanks.

@calciumchannel 4 жыл бұрын

i guess if he changed the bottle to a 5L one that would technically be a sitar, right?

@ianosborne188 3 жыл бұрын

Cool.

@herrjaecher616 4 жыл бұрын

The bottle is a Helmholtz resonator - You might want to place the mic on the opposite side for better sound.

@triplesevensix291 4 жыл бұрын

YEAH IV'E HEARD THAT FOLKS USED TO JUST NAIL THEM TO THE SIDES OF THEIR SHACKS. WHEN YOU GOT THE DESIRE TO PLAY THE BLUES MATE! I LOVE 'EM. I GOT ALL THE BITS TO MAKE SOME CIGAR BOX GEETS AND A COUPLE OF GREAT CHOCOLATE TINS WITH ART DECO GRAPHICS ON 'EM. SOON AS MY ARMS HEAL....

@houstonsheltonbees814 3 жыл бұрын

Killer liked 👍 and subscribed 👍 hello from Kentucky mountains

@wuggi8603 4 жыл бұрын

well, that was fucking interesting

@davidmacleod9313 3 жыл бұрын

Seasick Steve should be a guest on yer show.

@kaidakemes1260 2 жыл бұрын

Thx for keeping that alive from down south

@snoopdoggdankkush9285 4 жыл бұрын

thats that real music

@Michael-zp5px 4 жыл бұрын

Already play guitar but I might build one of these for fun

@jasonthunders78 4 жыл бұрын

I love this stuff! Muddy,Elmore,Robert,Charlie ,Freddy,Albert,Big Bill,The Wolf,John Lee,BLJ,etc For some very good blues Check out,AC DC 'Crabsody in Blue' And Rose Tattoo 'Texas'! Shake for me You can't spend what you ain't never had Too deadly!👍

@bigbeefscorcho 3 жыл бұрын

How do you keep the top of the string wound around the nail? Very cool video!

@bilbono5823 4 жыл бұрын

So fukin cool dude. I wanna build one

@jasondyeoriginalmusic3094 4 жыл бұрын

Nice

@ronbennettoutdoorswildlife1514 3 жыл бұрын

I play fender Tex Mex. But that homemade deal there is great.

@triplesevensix291 4 жыл бұрын

Great stuff Ed. I seen Jack White build one at the start of the movie IT MIGHT GET LOUD? Think it was that movie anyway? Play me the blues. Have a sound weekend. All the best from Liverpool U.K. Home to a lil known beat combo you may just have heard of? Lol. ;). I shattered both my arms a few weeks back so I'm out of geet playing action for a few months at the moment. DOH!! LOL. STAY SAFE MAN. CHEERS BIG EARS. ;) I'M SO PISSED OFF AT BREAKING MY ARMS MAN! FUN & GAMES EH DUDE? HA! ;) I GOTTA MAKE ONE ASAP.

@craigmccauley3972 4 жыл бұрын

WOW!

@redcliffebeachhire9214 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah man,,cool

@Beachbumartist 4 жыл бұрын

Man that is awesome, I'm gonna make one/ Thanks so much for the history lesson as well. What kind of string did you use for that like a Medium Low E string or what? Thanks man.

@RastaLlama 4 жыл бұрын

The chose the right guy for this video that's for sure

@MckinzieMotorsports 4 жыл бұрын

I’d love to see how you added the pick up.

@morkusmorkus6040 3 жыл бұрын

You just screw it on at an appropriate distance from the strings and you're done. Thats literally it. Thats why he didnt show it.

@sapelesteve 4 жыл бұрын

Very interesting Edward! I am amazed at how that sounded. I am curious as to whether or not you have to have a set length between the top nail & where the string ends up on the bottle? Hope that your thumb is OK! Be well & stay safe........ 👍👍🎸🎸😉😉

@Peasmouldia 4 жыл бұрын

You'd only need to intonate it if your playing along with other instruments. I guess that's why some people add a tuning peg or gear.

@bombercountyblues 4 жыл бұрын

For fretless builds, I've never used specific scale lengths.. just cut to whatever length suits a particular cigar box aestheticly, then locate and mark the 3 harmonic notes.