What is a rubboard?

Rubka, also called Frottoir , is a variation of the sink, which is used as one of the main musical instruments in Zydeco music. The undoubted King Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, reworked the standard sink to hang on the shoulders of the person who played her. Because of its design, Chenier has recognition for his invention. The rubbing plate is made of twisted tin and is played by fraying a bottle or other metal piece, such as a thimble or spoon, through a limited tin to form a scratched sound that contributes to the rhythm of the song, so it is considered a percussion tool.

Zydeco Music is a type of folk music born in the United States at the end of the 18th century. He built it as a means of socializing the French-Moving Creols and Free Colorful People in the Rural South Louisiana and was strongly influenced by a diverse culture in the region in this period. More precisely, music started in Opelousas, Louisiana area as a fun in domestic tanks. Regionally popular after more thanFifty years, Zydeco was not brought to the mainstream until the mid -20th century inventor Rubboard, Clifton Chenier.

6 After Zydeco leap into the mainstream, other tools such as electric guitars, swings and corners were added to the traditional accordion and rubříčky. Many bands Zydeco also included bass and drums.

Opelousas, Louisiana, the home of Clifton Chenier and the birthplace of Rubboard, organizes the annual Zydeco music festival, where Zydeco's enthusiasts gather to continue the musical tradition. In 1982, with the fear that Zydeco's music was dying a group of citizens concerned, he organized the first festival that has been held since then. Most of the music at the festival is sung in Creole French in the true tradition of Zydeco.

Although the origin of Zydeco and Rubboard are in rural South Louisiana, the rubboard can also be heard all over Louisiana. Tourist attractions in New Orleans, Lafayette and BAton Rouge gives local residents and visitors the taste of domestic musical tradition. In several facilities in New Orleans, the historic French neighborhood and Bourbon Street can enjoy the music of Zydeco. They may also be lucky to have a chance to play the rubbers themselves. Many bands come to Bourbon Street equipped with one more or two robust orbins to support the participation of the audience.