1 Topic by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2015-05-24 09:11:23)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Topic: The Chapman Stick

I'm wondering if any Chordians have own or play a Chapman Stick? I've been listening to a lot of music recently featuring Tony Levin, Nick Beggs, etc., and the range of tones and sound quality from this unusual device is amazing:

http://www.stick.com/instruments/inlays/linear5.jpg

This is taking the tapping technique we guitarists use to the extreme, and I also would think tuning this rig would be a challenge, not to mention trying find someone who sells strings! Here's a sample of this thing in action from Levin's prog-jazz fusion group "Stick Men":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5cVdvz9hnM

It's on my "bucket list" to try one of these instruments someday ... crazy cool stuff!

  • TIGLJK
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Re: The Chapman Stick

TF

Thanks for the enlightenment - I have never even heard of this instrument before.    These guys playing - Relentless- are ridiculous -    I can't imagine the time that they put in to get to that level of performance. - That is incredible.  Way too advanced for me.
JK

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  • From: Tooele Ut
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Re: The Chapman Stick

amazing but I'll pass until I learn regular guitar better

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  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: The Chapman Stick

TIGLJK wrote:

TF

Thanks for the enlightenment - I have never even heard of this instrument before.    These guys playing - Relentless- are ridiculous -    I can't imagine the time that they put in to get to that level of performance. - That is incredible.  Way too advanced for me.
JK

Glad you liked it, JK!

Tony Levin's group is actually called "Stick Men", and "Relentless" is one of many songs they perform. They also do a rendition of Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" which is so good it's beyond description. As a fan of Prog Rock, I also came across this video of David Tipton playing Pink Floyd's "Brain Damage" on a Chapman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFiysMYGD_k

  • From: Fixing myself a drink
  • Registered: 2015-05-16
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Re: The Chapman Stick

Levin is a monster on the Stick!

I was fortunate enough to see the American leg of this tour at the Berkeley Community Theatre in '79 (or '80?) - oh, my goodness...what a show!! You'll see his work on Stick as well as electric bass in this vid. Hope you get a chance to watch the whole show sometime, it's phenomenal!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=amxDkP_0gxs
Enjoy.

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6 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-02-05 11:30:57)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: The Chapman Stick

Here's a cool video of Emmett Chapman explaining the construction, usage, and techniques relating to his "Chapman Stick":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvuiAobq2_Y

My favorite line is when he says the stick is physically easy to play, but mentally ... not so much.

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: The Chapman Stick

I saw a guy busking in Perth mall a while ago with one - here is a video: https://www.facebook.com/richard.mortim … 14/?type=3

Let me know if you can see it (if not, I'll do a YouTube upload) ...

Cheers

Richard

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  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: The Chapman Stick

neophytte wrote:

I saw a guy busking in Perth mall a while ago with one - here is a video: https://www.facebook.com/richard.mortim … 14/?type=3

Let me know if you can see it (if not, I'll do a YouTube upload) ...

Cheers

Richard

Your video wouldn't open for me, Neo, because I don't use Facebook. The "Stick" is a fascinating instrument. Watching guys like Weatherton, Howard, Levin, Beggs, etc., and hearing the unique way notes can be played together is amazing.

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: The Chapman Stick

YouTube copy is here: https://youtu.be/Y4-n5rzjPTo

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10 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-02-03 14:58:19)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: The Chapman Stick

Dang, Neo ... that guy's good! All of the passersby completely ignored him; a few barely gave him more than a glance ... how sad.

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: The Chapman Stick

Tenement Funster wrote:

Dang, Neo ... that guy's good! All of the passersby completely ignored him; a few barely gave him more than a glance ... how sad.

Yes, was pretty sad - he was in Perth a couple of weeks and I went and saw him a few times at lunchtime .. made a few recordings of him, but never learned his name ...

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
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12 Reply by Peatle Jville (edited by Peatle Jville 2018-02-03 20:22:58)

  • Registered: 2015-07-31
  • Posts: 2,793

Re: The Chapman Stick

Neo his name is Mark White I have heard him busking he has a wonderful sound. Great thead  TF. With only 10,000 Chapman Sticks worldwide, they are one of the most seldom seen and rarely heard instruments in the world.  With an elegant sound Mark White specializes in such music as Classical, Romantic, Celtic and Classic Rock.
Based out of Austin, Texas Mark White is one of the few Chapman Stick players in the world.  Mark was first introduced to the Stick at the age of 12 by his music teacher Matt Rogers.  Completely captivated by the sound, Mark eventually transitioned to the Stick full-time.  At the age of 17 he and Matt Rogers formed a Chapman Stick duo called "Heartstrings". After working together for almost 10 years Mark and Matt decided to go their separate ways.   Mark now has been traveling the world for the last 2 years showing over 30 countries the wonder of the Chapman Stick through street performing. He plans to continue to travel and write music on the road for as long as possible.