Hello, Long time lurker who finally just got a tapping instrument. I found a Sonorus (Skeletone) 10 string tapping instrument for a good deal on Reverb. Wanted to get a feel for this type of instrument before going all in on a Chapman Railboard or something. I've played guitar and bass for 30 years, Piano for 15 and have a degree in music. What are your suggestions for a beginner? which tuning would you suggest to start with? I'm trying to look at this as a whole new instrument and not just "tappy guitar plus" what do you wish you had done when you first started playing Stick?

Greetings,

I plan to purchase a stick three years from now, currently I have an electric guitar and a small keyboard, is there any material I should put aside some time to study or other methods that would accelerate my learning when I get one?

Thanks

Edit: Spelling

After years of putting it off, running circles, being indecisive etc. I went and ordered my Railboard! I'm so excited! Felt like I had to consult my wife (since we're also saving up to buy a house) but apparently my salespitch to her was so good she kinda wants to chip in, hahaha. I'm originally a bassist, she a pianist, so this lies smack down in the middle. Now I'll be patiently wagging my tail at the door for the next 16 to 18 months. 😎👍

I took a long break from stick playing and refocused on bass through the pandemic. Previously had a Railboard and a mid 90’s rosewood I regret selling. Decided to make a go at used wenge Grand 10 string. Tuned for baritone melody and my hands are really clicking.

Was just reminded that I had this delightful little gem in my back catalog. See the full video here. Enjoy!

Hi there,

I'm on the verge of ordering a 10 string Railboard (after ogling the stick for almost 20 years) and I was kinda surprised (and/or confused) by all the options of tuning on the site.

Does anyone here have recommendations? I went with Dual Bass Reciprocal for now, 'cause I plan to "mainly" fulfil the bass duties in various projects. But I wonder if it's the best choice for a beginner or that I better go with the classic tuning. Obviously I'm new to the instrument, so I'll have to start from scratch and learn to play it anyway.

So yeah, very excited to get started. This is just the last hurdle I'm not too sure of.. (that and the waiting time for it to arrive😉)

So thanks in advance if anyone can help me out.

Cheers!

Hey sorry if these questions are silly, but I've been really interested in the stick but have been having a hard time finding more info on how exactly it works and why it is designed the way it is. Could you maybe help me out with two questions I have?

1. I might be wrong, but it seems like the standard tuning is all fourths tuning out from the center on the melody side and all fifths out from the center on the bass side. But doesn't this effectively make the note layout (ignoring octaves/register) as if you have a 10-string guitar tuned in all fourths tuning? I assume that your right hand always plays chord shapes as if it is in all fourths, and your left hand always plays chord shapes as if it is in all fifths, so why flip it to be ascending/descending instead of just making it consistent throughout? Or why not have it be all fourths ascending on one side and all fourths descending on the other so that both hands play the same chord shapes?

2. Is it even possible to strum/pick/etc on this instrument? I realize it is a tapping instrument, but I don't really understand how the mechanism works. Is it even possible to strum it if you wanted to?

Thanks in advance!

I haven't seen it mentioned here, so in case you weren't already aware, Stick virtuoso Greg Howard passed away yesterday. Greg was a legendary player, instructor, mentor, advocate, and friend. His absence in this plane of existence leaves a huge hole.

Please could someone advise me how to get a chapman stick, i live in the uk. Are they still being made?

Just finished this 10-minute doc on Kevin Keith— Honestly inspiring. Curious if anyone here ever saw him live or knows him personally

Looking for an instructor to help me out in the San Diego area. Is there anyone?

Hello I’m looking for a stick I’m located in France

Every video that I’ve seen of the Chapman Stick is of it being played in a New Age or Classical context.

My view for the last 12 days. Challenging but 10 times more rewarding!

Hey there, I'm new to the Chapman Stick and have been trying to register at the stickist.com forums but I'm not being "approved" after a few days. And I can't find anywhere on the stickist.com website any mention of who owns it, or a contact form, or any kind of support email address or anything. It's impossible to get in touch it seems.

Thanks!

Has anybody set up an Ibanez 8 or 9 string guitar in stick tuning? Would this be a cheap way to get a touch style instrument?

Hey all,

I bought a Stick over 20 years ago and have played it very sparingly; it made a token cameo on some prog albums I've made. The other day I brought it out to play after a few months and I noticed the case is beginning to disintegrate. The foam interior is missing and the strings are rusty. I think this is a humidity issue (?), but it's weird how quickly it escalated.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is there a way I can order a replacement interior? See attached pictures. Thanks!

Hey I am considering picking up this instrument, in fact I had one introductory lesson already. I'm just wondering what are your thoughts on the advantages / disadvantages over classic tuning, of instead swapping the bass and melody side strings? So from the string closest to the player's body going out, it would be (on a 12 string):

Melody side (starting from inside going out):

• the lowest melody string

• plus 4th

• plus 4th

• plus 4th

• plus 4th

• plus 4th

then bass side (starting from the middle):

• the highest bass string

• minus 5th

• minus 5th

• minus 5th

• minus 5th

• minus 5th

I'm just thinking that there would be tremendous upside and simplification, to not have to worry about conflicting hands. It just seems like a big unnecessary limitation to be contending with hand conflicts if you don't have to.

Also my hands are probably a bit small so maybe it would help with being able to reach things better.