Jonathan's Musical instruments from found objects podcast Podcast By Jonathan Jay Brandstater cover art

Jonathan's Musical instruments from found objects podcast

Jonathan's Musical instruments from found objects podcast

By: Jonathan Jay Brandstater
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In this podcast, I introduce musical instruments I have made myself, using objects I found in and around the house. This is in keeping with the folk tradition where people make instruments from whatever is available. You can make your own instruments,as well! This podcast is designed to inspire you. What you make and how you make it is up to you. Factory-made instruments tend to be made a certain way, using specific materials and methods. The folk tradition allows for a lot more creativity and flexibility. When it comes to drums made by a craftsperson, for example, no two drums are exactly alike.

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Jonathan Jay Brandstater Art Music
Episodes
  • Three-foot-long diddley bow demo

    Three-foot-long diddley bow demo
    Mar 10 2026
    In this episode, I describe a single-stringed instrument called a "Diddley bow" and play some improvised blues riffs. The Diddley bow is typical of the American Southern States and is often associated with blues music. The simplest Diddley bow consists of the side of a house or a wood board, two nails, a length of wire and something serving as a bridge, such as a small rock, glass bottle or jar. My Diddley bow features a three-foot-long piece of lumber, two sixteen penny nails, two two-inch common nails, a piece of picture wire, a mini-paint can, a piece of scrap wood, a wood block and an L bracket. The wood block and L bracket keep the can from moving around. The scrap wood nut is held in place with wood screws. In addition, my Diddley bow features a guitar pickup.

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    2 mins
  • Blues riffs on an acoustic cigar box Diddley bow

    Blues riffs on an acoustic cigar box Diddley bow
    Aug 7 2025
    In this episode, I play a cigar box Diddley bow. This is a single-stringed instrument similar to a guitar. My source of inspiration was a similar instrument I built from a kit.

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    2 mins
  • Blues riffs on cigar box bass with broom stick neck

    Blues riffs on cigar box bass with broom stick neck
    Jul 20 2025
    In this episode, I play some blues riffs on a homemade cigar box bass featuring a broom stick neck, steel wire string, a screw eye, an eyebolt with accompanying nut, two washers and a wing nut, along with a scrap wood bridge.

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    2 mins
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