The band

 

     The musicians wore a red and white bonnet with a pompon. This is country band with accordions, clarinets, flutes, a tuba, a trumpet but also with a typical instrument : the "Epinette des Vosges".(see below)

 

cliquez pour entendre l'épinette  The "épinette des Vosges"  cliquez pour entendre l'épinette

     This instrument belongs to the zithers family. In the antique Greece, they knew an instrument called Kithara, this is the etymology of  zither and guitar.

     The "épinette" is made up of a wooden box in the shape of a trapezium or a rectangle ( from 4 to 10 cm in height). The upper part of the box has a sounding board with one or several sound-hole and metal supports ("frettes"). These "frettes" determine the notes.

     From three to eight strings are tightened on the sounding board. The strings are divided into melodic strings ("chanterelles") or into another kind of strings called "bourdons".

     The "épinette" is made by the musician himself or by the joiner of the town.

     The species used (wild cherry tree, beech, plum tree...) are often found on the spot.

    Any person -who have worked on wood- can make the "épinette" because the design is very easy. Special knowledge in stringed-instrument making are not required. This instrument was exclusively popular. The musicians were farmers, workers, shepherds, miners, beggars, craftsmen, ...
     They played "épinette" to accompany dances, to play music during evening gatherings with their family or their neighbours. They also played "épinette" to accompany religious hymns in the church.