BS: Amazing Instrument

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: Fortunato
Date: 14 Feb 00 - 09:29 AM

I first saw the Chapman Stick in the Tucson Cantina on Connectiicut Ave NW DC in the late 70's. A local musician, whose name has disappeared from my mind, was doing the "Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver Schtick". A first or even second hearing of the sound produced was impressive. But I noticed that the interest rather quickly fades. The audience goes back to talking rather quickly. Players listen a little longer, shrug and move on. The sounds produced are somehow unmemorable. He had a following equal to the nights I played and more at times, but I notice they talked through his playing more than mine. Other factors enter in obviously, but in the end there's something moving about the solo guitar even simply played. Cheers, Fortunato

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: Amos
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 09:58 PM

Well, there is no question, 'Spaw. Acoustic sound can't be quite duplicated by a synth.

The thing that intrigued me about this one, which was putting out the sounds of electrified guitar strings from one hand and of a slide guitar on the other, was the intricacy he was getting out of it by playing with both hands -- one set of sounds each.

But when I got home and picked up my old martin it made sounds he couldn't do, and I'm happy with it.

This guy was making it sing in its own right, and I hadn't seen one before.

I tried that sliding it across thefloor when the guy wasn't looking and it started making this keening sound like "Where's my Cletus?? Where's my CLEtus??". But I had to stop cuz the guy came back.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 08:27 PM

Yeah, you got it Chet.........

Of course if you turn it upside down and slide it backwards across the floor, it makes a sound that seems to say, "Doc is dead...Doc is dead...Doc is dead..."

Synthesizers are fun, but they don't replace acoustic sound.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: Chet W.
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 08:20 PM

The Chapman stick has been around for more than 25 years. It is basically a guitar synthesizer and can be programmed for just about any sound. More advanced guitar synthesizers have come since then. (Check Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Their guy uses one to play all their percussion.) You can even get a processor to make your acoustic guitar into a synthesizer. Saw Mark O'Connor demo-ing one once. He was playing an acoustic guitar and what you heard was a pipe organ. Looks like fun, but it's not exactly my interest as an instrument.

Chet

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: wildlone
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 03:47 PM

thank you Amos it, looks a fearsome beastie.
BTW I saw a trio in Sherborne the other day playing Mandolin, Melodion and Flemish bagpipes but I escaped unhurt***BG***
They sounded really good

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: GUEST,Spider tom
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 03:27 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 02:41 PM

Yes, Amos, these hackers are EVERYWHRE. (Thanks for the chuckle)

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 02:18 PM

Well it sounds interesting. Or at least it sounds as if it sounds interesting. But fiendishly difficult. Maybe someone will come up with an acoustic version, or a version with a built in sound system.

Subject: RE: BS: Amazing Instrument
From: Amos
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 02:06 PM

Who put all those typos in my post??!!! Damn hackers!!

Subject: Amazing Instrument: "The Stick"
From: Amos
Date: 13 Feb 00 - 01:56 PM

Strolling in beautiful Balbopa Park yesterday I came across a young man playing the most amazing instrument. And electric "neck" with teo sets of strings side-by-side, played with both hands; by "slide" tapping on frets he would produce a remarkable rhythm of chords, while with his other hand he was creating intricate dancing melodies by walking the other set of strings. We chatted a while. The deive, he says, is known as "TheStick" or the "Chapman Stick".

It is made by a small company in LA, who have a website here. I mean here.

ANyone have one of these remarkable devices? He sounded much better on a street corner in the park live than I do with two Martins and a Mac in my 'studio". I was impressed.

A