The Bock-a-da-bock is an idiophone type of musical instrument in the percussion family. It is made up of two metal discs, usually steel, formed into a domed shape. It was used as a drum instrument. There are no pictures of the bock-a-da-bock as it is very old fashioned.

[edit] Origin

The Bock-a-da-bock was invented by orchestral percussionist, Billy Gladstone ^[1]. He shaped the discs such that they were 8 centimetres in diameter, and slightly domed. These discs were then mounted on sprung tongs which could be held by the drummer playing the instrument.
Sometimes the Bock-a-da-bock would have been used to substitute a drum kit. Due to the recording limitations of the 1920s, Drums were not always practical to be included in a recording.

[edit] Use and Technique

This instrument is played with a stick in one hand, whilst the other (usually the left hand) controls the grip. The two metal discs would then be pushed together to create a sound similar to that of a milk bottle being hit.

[edit] Players

Noteworthy players of the bock-a-da-bock are Kaiser Marshall, who played it on several Fletcher Henderson records, and Chick Webb, who played it in the song, "Dog Bottom". ^[1].
Zutty Singleton from Louis Armstrong's Hot Five also played a bock-a-da-bock on Louis' 1928 recording of 'West End Blues'.

[edit] Songs that use audible Bock-a-da-Bock parts

• "Black and Tan Fantasy" by Duke Ellington (1927)^[2]
• "West End Blues" by Louis Armstrong (1928)
• "Dog Bottom" by Chick Webb (1929)

[edit] References

Percussion portal