What do you get when you combine a washtub, broom, rope, spoons,
a saw and, of course, a jug? As it turns out, some good jugband
music.

That’s what fourth-grade students at School Street Elementary
School learned this week when the Sadie Green Sales Jugband –
Timothy Walker and David Driskell – sailed into town.

The duo, who came to town through the efforts of the Bradford
Creative and Performing Arts Center’s arts and education committee,
held workshops for fourth-graders and will hold an assembly today
at the school.

“We get people’s attention by making music with unusual items,”
Walker said to one group, who got a taste of what it’s like to play
music in a jugband and learned some of life’s lessons.

“Sometimes people point and laugh,” Walker said about playing
the music. “I used to feel embarrassed, but it doesn’t really
matter what people think as long as I am not hurting anybody and
enjoy myself.”

Walker, a self-taught folk singer, also extolled the virtues of
live music to the students.

“Live music makes people feel better and we play better,” he
said. “Makes the whole show go better.”

The group also throws in a science lesson with a saw as
Driskell, a classically trained musician, bends the saw and hits it
with a handmade mallet.

“Don’t do this at home,” he warns the kids.

Walker explains that sounds are heard by air vibrating, likening
it to throwing a stone into a pond and seeing the waves of water.
“Air does the same thing.”

Walker said the workshops go over well with the students.

“They identify with the handmade instruments,” he said, adding
he and Driskell switch instruments often and also include guitars
or banjos, among others.

It also gives the audience a chance to learn different
music.

“It gives the children a taste (of the music),” Driskell said.
“Some may do something with it.”

One thing they may do something with is a washboard, one of the
instruments they bring.

“You get an instrument for 20 bucks,” he said.

The washboard was student John Higbie’s favorite instrument.

As he explains, “because you can do a lot of stuff with it.”

Megan McCool, on the other hand, likes the washtub bass.

“I just like the sound of it.”

Even in an age where rap and pop music reign, the kids enjoy the
jugband music, too. A music some people only see on reruns of the
Andy Griffith show with the Darlings or Emmet Otter’s Jugband
Christmas by Jim Henson.

Some say, “‘You guys, that was awesome,'” Driskell said. “When
you get that reaction, you know you are getting through to some of
them.”

Both John and Megan liked this music better.

“It’s so different from everything else,” John said.

One instrument they helped make was a washtub bass – made up of
a washtub, rope and stick or broom.

“Anything will work,” Walker said. “A lot cheaper than an
upright bass.”

A history lesson is thrown in here by Walker as he explains to
the students that washtub bass instruments were used a hundred
years ago to play the blues.

And what would a jugband lesson be without using a bottle or
maple syrup jug?

“If you put water in, there’s less air to vibrate,” Walker said,
demonstrating that a higher note is heard.

Driskell then gives a slight environmental lesson, explaining
how he made a penny whistle out of left over PVC pipe.

“It makes no sense to throw it away if you can use it,” he said.
“It saves energy.”

Megan said she may try making noise on the pots and pans at
home.

“Annoy your parents,” she said of the pros as John talks about
hitting his brother with a spoon.

For teacher Jill Cottillion, it is interesting for her to watch
her students, between 9- and 10-years-old, learn about washboards
and to watch their participation.

“They love the hands-on part of it,” she said of her students
who got to make the spoons instrument.

Walker and Driskell started playing together in 1973 and began
going into schools about 30 years ago. But they entertain in more
venues, including tours of England and mainland Europe, as well as
fairs and pubs.

When they were playing at the Bark Peelers Convention in
Galeton, they caught the eye – or ear – of Sandy Lyter from the
Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center.

The committee thought it would be interesting since they like to
“bring the arts into schools as much as possible,” committee member
Terri Smith said.

Bringing arts back to the students’ attention is important,
Cottillion said.

“Don’t want to sweep other stuff under the carpet,” she said as
the focus turns to sports and academics.

An assembly will be held this afternoon for students, including
those from St. Bernard Elementary and Middle School and The
Learning Center. The School Street PTO also contributed to the cost
of bringing the group to Bradford.

For the two musicians, it’s about letting people be exactly who
they are.

“Let your imagination lead the way,” Walker said. “It’s what
it’s all about … be yourself and not worry about peer
pressure.”