# What musical instrument is that? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 11, 2002, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029 "2002-12-11T16:50:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bomzaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029/1 "2002-12-11T16:50:39Z")
In the movie **A Christmas Story** you no doubt recall the Bumpus’ hounds. These hounds have a theme song of sorts, which is played whenever they appear in the film. The song is dominated by this low-pitched, melodic snorting which hoots and honks out the tune in what’s supposed to sound hillbilly-ish, I suppose. I’ve heard that sound before, but can only identify it in this particular song. Anyway, what the heck is the instrument that makes that sound? ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029/2 "2002-12-11T20:36:37Z")
A clarinet? ---
**Author:** ![Bomzaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029/3 "2002-12-11T21:00:02Z")
Nope. It’s far too low to be a clarinet. I don’t even think it’s a reed instrument. ---
**Author:** ![No\_Me\_Ayudes\_Compadre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/no_me_ayudes_compadre/32/5224_2.png) [@No\_Me\_Ayudes\_Compadre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Me_Ayudes_Compadre)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029/4 "2002-12-11T22:54:57Z")
Sounds to me like a jews harp. Or do hillbillies play the didgeridoo? ---
**Author:** ![ReBusEniGma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@ReBusEniGma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReBusEniGma)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029/5 "2002-12-11T23:22:34Z")
Yep, I think it’s a Didgeridoo…although not a hillbilly instrument…it’s origin is Australia. ~eNiGma ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029/6 "2002-12-11T23:36:51Z")
Ok, I got the DVD out, and listened to it. I does sound like a Digeridoo, but I didn’t think they were that “agile”. Aren’t they a drone instrument? Bass Clarinet? ContraBass Clarinet? ContraBass Saxophone? Synthesizer? Reminds me of the instrument used in the long outro in “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel. Sort of a low foghorn sound. ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029/7 "2002-12-12T00:26:12Z")
You got it, **K364** ; it is in fact the same instrument heard on Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer,” namely, the stately bass harmonica. Yes, the [bass harmonica.](http://www.contrabass.com/pages/bassharp.html) ---
**Author:** ![Bomzaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-instrument-is-that/142029/8 "2002-12-12T18:51:36Z")
Thanks. I used to play the harmonica in a band and never heard of the bass harmonica. I did think that the previously unidentified sound had a harmonica-like quality to it, but discounted that idea because I didn’t think there was such a thing. Thanks again all.