Fire Starter Guiro

How did we get here, you may ask? Well, I was driving home from work the other night thinking about how some musicians have it better than others when it comes to playing an instrument that lends itself to stage showmanship.

You see, I have an imaginary band. I can't seem to be arsed to get around to it, but I collect songs we would play, collections of songs we would mashup, etc.

So I was mulling over the predicament of the keyboard player. Pressing on keys. Visually limited, unless you're engaging in fast complicated runs up and down the keyboard. Granted, Rick Wakeman did have a nice cape that lent him a great deal of flash when the lights were on it (link).

Then, in a flash, it came to me. The guiro player (link) does not exactly have a boring job - there's plenty of activity to be watched. But there's room for improvement.

First see the guiro link. Then check out Bear Grylls, the clown of video survivalists, and his fire starter. Then imagine, the firestarter guiro. The grooves of the guiro are covered with the magnesium fire starter material.

As you dance around the stage, scratching up a stacatto rhythm, your band mates struggle to keep you from setting their gear on fire. Never a dull moment for the audience.