I've heard of it, seen it used once or twice on tv in concerts, but have never held one or tried it out. It explains some really wickedly tough basslines I've heard before, it's much easier to play a flying groove with two hands tapping than one.

Anyway, check out this website, and listen to the samples of Greg Howard...he's great.
Stick home page

Also check out this gal- Irene Orleansky
When you get there, click on the "06.23.05/Solo on the Chapman Stick Video Clip" link, if you have quicktime.

I'm most interested in the Stick Bass, since it looks like it's more like a guitar, rather than the reversed strings on half of the regular stick.

Any of you folks have experience with this, seen it live, comments, etc?

Looks like a fascinating instrument to me. I wonder about the learning curve though.

Later
TonyY

I've known about the instrument for quite a while but have never seen it played live. Sean Malone is a Chapman Stick player and is supposed to be one of the best at it. I applaud anyone who takes on the challenge and has the time to devote to such a complicated instrument. When played it's a very pleasing instrument to hear but some folks just sorta make noise with it. Here's a good image of it.
If you are into the tapping thing, the learning curve may not be so tough, I think the main difficulty is learning and playing with alternative tunings!!

Here's a pic of Sean Malone playing one.

Tony, you might find interesting conversation on the Chapman Stick (not to mention everything else under the sun) at Musicplayer\'s Low Down Lowdown

Hey Matt, are you a member there? I go by DWBass on that forum as well as at Talk Bass!

Does it produce a decent tone?

go to the links I had in the first message, and click on the videos, that should give you an idea. From what I can tell, I've heard it before, and thought it was a ripping bass....Brian Bromberg must play one, it reminds me of his tone.

In 2001 I caught John Paul Jones (bass for Led Zeppelin) open for King Crimson. Jones had a guy who played Chapman Stick named Nick Beggs. I knew that Tony Levin played one but I had never seen or heard one in concert. All I can say is that Beggs certainly knew what he was doing with that instrument. It was a little hard for me to follow because I didn't know the sound so I didn't quite know what to listen for but it was an enjoyable first time hearing it.


Nick Beggs on Chapman Stick (he wore a kilt at the JPJ concert)

Yeah, I'm MattFacingSouth

SteveC is a good buddy of mine, in fact he's the bass player in two of my bands.

Thanks for that link, I've followed it. So far, looks like a cool site. I may have to join in