The Chapman Stick (generally known to its players simply as the Stick) is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. A polyphonic member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick has been used on many popular music recordings to play various parts (bass, lead, chords and textures).
Chapman, originally a jazz guitarist,sought to create an instrument designed for the "Free Hands" tapping method of both hands parallel...
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The Chapman Stick (generally known to its players simply as the Stick) is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. A polyphonic member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick has been used on many popular music recordings to play various parts (bass, lead, chords and textures).
Chapman, originally a jazz guitarist,sought to create an instrument designed for the "Free Hands" tapping method of both hands parallel to the frets, which he originally developed for use on his guitar in 1969. The first production model of the Stick was shipped in 1974. Chapman brought his instrument to public attention by demonstrating it on the game show What's My Line? on October 10, 1974.
The Stick was subsequently picked up on by several prominent musicians. Ex-Weather Report bassist Alphonso Johnson was among the first musicians to introduce the Chapman Stick to the public. Another relatively early user was Tony Levin, who was playing the instrument from the mid-1970s...
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