StonedAndFunky Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 YO! Alright, here's how it goes. I just inherited a Chapman Stick and I think it's probably THE coolest instrument in the world. I've always wished I could play those soaring solos like a guitar player, but you just can't on a Rhodes. I've been thinking about buying a clav, but this stick thing sounds just as funky in a similar way. I've read some of the threads in the bass and guitar forums about the stick, but there really aren't any threads from the perspective of a keys player. I've been playing this thing for about a month now and the only similarity to a piano is that you use two hands. The stick is actually split though and most players seem to treat it as two-instruments-in-one. I'm having too hard a time getting past my feeling that I want to treat it like a keyboard, so I've set it up so it's got one output for the whole beast (instead of the stereo output it comes with). It's actually not that hard to learn how to use frets instead of keys. See, I've always looked at the keyboard and seen scales and chord patterns layed out in front of me. With the stick, the scales and chord patterns look totally different, but they're still recognizable patterns. Also, cause it's frets instead of keys, you can play the same thing in any key and hardly have to change anything other than where on the board you're playing. The hardest thing for me (which is why I haven't decided whether I want to get serious) is that I don't instantly know where notes are. On piano a D is always between the pair of black keys and an F# is always the first black key in the set of three. On the stick though, all the frets look the same to me and I have to slide my hand around until I find the key of whatever song I'm playing. I suppose this might be easier eventually, but it's really the biggie problem I'm having with this thing. So, anyone have any thoughts about the Chapman Stick . . . from a keyboardist's perspective? Peace, Casey All I need in life is a bong and a piano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botch. Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 Congrats, Casey, I've always wanted to futz around on one of those things. You might want to check out King Crimson's latest concert DVD, Trey Gunn actually set up one of his sticks on a stand, flat in front of him, just like a keyboard, and plays it that way, pretty cool! Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will www.puddlestone.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 The bassist in my band plays Stick, and we had a sub for a few weeks who also plays Stick (lucky find). It's a great instrument. I got to play it a bit, and if I had an extra $1K or so kicking around I'd be quite tempted to get one. BTW - Botch, Trey Gunn plays WARR Guitars. Similar to Stick, but different I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botch. Posted November 3, 2004 Share Posted November 3, 2004 Originally posted by coyote: BTW - Botch, Trey Gunn plays WARR Guitars. Similar to Stick, but different I know he plays Warr guitars upright/strapped on, but I thought the horizontal instrument was a Stick, I'd have to double-check the video. Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will www.puddlestone.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted November 3, 2004 Share Posted November 3, 2004 I had a friend with a Stick and they're definitely cool. Don't expect to play those soaring guitar solos on one, though -- well maybe you can bend notes on a stick like you can a guitar but I haven't seen it yet. I was tempted to get one myself, but I already stink on a lot of instruments, why add yet another! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StonedAndFunky Posted November 3, 2004 Author Share Posted November 3, 2004 Actually, my stick straps on virtically. It's got this metal belt hook and a shoulder support strap. Once I put it on, I can do anything, walk around, play catch, whateva, with it staying in easy playing position. I don't know anything much about Warr Guitar, only that it's another touch-style instrument, but has a body. Personally, it doesn't really make much sense to me to have a body on that kind of instrument. My strings were buzzing like crazy for the longest time and I finally realized the fretboard was bowed. I fixed it pretty easily by piling some little weights in the middle of the board and letting it sit on it's back for a day. The tone of this beast is sort of like a cross between a guitar and a clavinet, but smoother. Also, overdrive makes this thing honk like a Wurly. All I need in life is a bong and a piano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeronyne Posted November 4, 2004 Share Posted November 4, 2004 TWO SHORT VIDEOS OF GREG HOWARD PLAYING A STICK. In the second one, he plays a tiny bit of "All Along the Watchtower", bending notes all over. TWO VIDEOS OF THE MIGHTY TREY GUNN. The quality of the videos leaves much to be desired, but you can really see him play in parts. A body on an touch instrument adds tone and sustain just like on a normal guitar or bass. Just a different way to do things. I'm about to order one of THESE after winter NAMM. "For instance" is not proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.