The Saturday briefing

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

- by CAROLINE FORD

Is there anything you're yearning to know? Send your questions, on any subject, to the contacts given below, and we will do our best to answer them...

Many years ago I saw Dolly Parton perform live. It was a magical night and she played so many instruments but I can't remember all of them. Can you tell me what she plays?

Raymond Jennings, Derby

The Queen of Country — Dolly Parton grew up surrounded by the rich musical traditions of gospel, bluegrass, country and folk.

Her family of 14 often played homemade instruments, such as spoons, washboard and washtub bass — a string instrument made from a bucket and a broom handle.

The singer-songwriter, who celebrated her 80th birthday this month, spent her childhood playing these musical utensils and singing in church — and by the age of six, had written her first song.

She also played the snare drum in her high school marching band and got her first real guitar at the age of eight, from her Uncle Bill.

During her concerts, Dolly typically plays 7-8 instruments, including guitar, fiddle, five-string banjo, piano, dulcimer (an Appalachian string instrument) and autoharp (a zitherlike instrument) but is known to play up to 20, including the recorder, saxophone and harmonica.

She says she plays “some of everything” but is only proficient enough “to make a show”.