The bones are a musical instrument (more specifically, a folk instrument) which, at the simplest, consists of a pair of bones, human or animal, or pieces of wood or a similar material. Sections of large rib bones, such as those of a bovine, are the most commonly used true bones, although wooden sticks shaped like the earlier true bones are now more often used. They are about 5" to 7" in length and curved, roughly resembling miniature barrel staves.