On a recent recording, I played the beautiful and fascinating rainstick on the intro and outro of a song. There is more to this instrument than “turn over and let it pour until it stops.”
- You have to get a long rainstick. Don’t waste your money on a rainstick that will not rain for at least 30 seconds. My rainstick is app. five feet in length.
- I prefer the natural rainstick made from cactus and pebbles.
- Find the end that provides the longest “pour” and mark it. Make sure that you load the pebbles into that end before the performance.
- Practice the rainstick. You can develop some skill with the intensity, dynamics, and controlling the length of time the pebbles are producing sound.
- Work the mike. Stay close to the microphone but be aware that you can use proximity as a tool.
- The rainstick is one of those instruments that should be used sparingly. Do not FLOOD the song.
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