I made my first pair of bones from Bois d’arc and taught myself how to play them. They rendered a beautiful, clear, bell-like sound. I made another pair, with minor improvements, so I could play with both hands. A lot of sets later I have made a set that I consider the ultimate bones design. A pair of bones is 2, for single handed play and it takes 2 pair to make a set, for double handed play. Traditionally Bones are played holding them near one end and snapping the wrist so the ends click together. This gives 2 striking surfaces if they are played double handed; the bones in the left hand and those in the right hand. My bones are designed to be held in the middle with finger grooves to keep them from walking. This gives 4 striking surfaces, two on the left and two on the right. My bones are balanced, so that they weigh the same on each end of the groove. When held together the striking surfaces are mated for a perfect strike every time. I am right handed so my right hand set is thicker, giving a different sound from the left hand pair which is thinner. My bones are marked so I hold them the same way every time. The left hand pair has red finger grooves and the thicker one has a red end so it always goes on bottom. The right hand pair has black finger grooves and the thicker one has a black end. A remarkable thing about my bones is the tone of the sound can be changed by applying pressure to the bottom bone of each pair; holding it more firm against the heel of the thumb gives more bass while holding it less firm renders more treble. Consistency in one’s holding of the bones, 4 striking surfaces; with the left hand pair having a different tone than the right hand pair and the ability to vary the tone between bass and treble, moves the bones from a primitive instrument into a highly developed musical instrument. It is possible to pick out every note with the piano as the pianist plays a slow gospel number; something not easily done with conventional bones.