The Ugly Stick

The ugly stick: with such a name, those not familiar with this stick can only smirk at its name and wonder about its intended purpose. What were the first things which came to your mind?

The ugly stick is a traditional Newfoundland percussion instrument. It is usually made from a mop handle or any unused stick lying around the house. Fixed along various lengths of the stick are nails threaded with beer bottle caps to give the jingling sound when shaken, tapped, or stomped to the group. At the base of the stick, some may sport an old rubber boot, or other unneeded footwear to give the stick a nice large surface for stomping the ground. Since it is called an ugly stick, people have fun and get creative in decorating the stick; adding heads and additional noise making objects.

At the Iceberg Lounge with one full size and one mini ugly stick.
This photo captures my failed attempt at toe and heel tapping. 

Ugly sticks are brought out at parties when there are singing and music making.  It is easy to use, fool proof, and with such a curiously humble name, anyone, even the untrained musician would be tempted to pick it up, give it a wiggle, a tap tap here, and a stomp stomp there. Before long. they will too be getting their groove on.

Here is a video of the ugly stick on action at a house party.