Emmett Chapman
Encyclopedia
Emmett Chapman is a jazz
musician best known as the inventor of the Chapman Stick
and maker of Chapman Stick family of instruments.
Originally a guitarist, Chapman began recording and performing beginning in the late 1960s. He played with several different popular artists, including Jazz guitarist Barney Kessell and popular singer/songwriter Tim Buckley
, before taking his own band on the road.
In the late 1960s Chapman modified guitars to accommodate his new "Free Hands
" tapping method. While some guitarists had done two-handed tapping with the fingers of the right hand parallel to the strings, Chapman's method had the fingers of both hands perpendicular to the strings. This culminated in the creation of the Chapman Stick
, with the first Stick manufactured in 1974. Chapman holds 14 patents for various aspects of the Chapman Stick. During the 1970s Chapman toured extensively to promote his music and the instrument.
In 1985 Chapman released a solo album titled Parallel Galaxy
. This included Chapman playing with a drummer and without, and with harmonica
and vocal accompaniment
. According to Chapman, his musical style is influenced by jazz guitarist John McLaughlin
. One track from the album, Back Yard, was used in the "Alan Smithee
" version of the 1984 film Dune
. A Chapman Stick painted gold was used as the baliset musical instrument, described in the novel.
In 1987 Chapman released a performance video titled Hands Across The Board. These days Chapman still performs, though not as much, and primarily in the Los Angeles area, where he lives. He also continues to head up Stick Enterprises, the company that makes Chapman Sticks.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician best known as the inventor of the Chapman Stick
Chapman Stick
The Chapman Stick is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. A member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick usually has ten or twelve individually tuned strings and has been used on music recordings to play bass lines, melody lines, chords or textures...
and maker of Chapman Stick family of instruments.
Originally a guitarist, Chapman began recording and performing beginning in the late 1960s. He played with several different popular artists, including Jazz guitarist Barney Kessell and popular singer/songwriter Tim Buckley
Tim Buckley
Timothy Charles Buckley III was an American vocalist, and musician. His music and style changed considerably through the years; his first album was mostly folk oriented, but over time his music incorporated jazz, psychedelia, funk, soul, avant-garde and an evolving "voice as instrument," sound...
, before taking his own band on the road.
In the late 1960s Chapman modified guitars to accommodate his new "Free Hands
Free Hands
Free Hands is the name of Emmett Chapman's two-handed tapping method of parallel hands used on his Chapman Stick instrument, and on several other Stick-inspired instruments...
" tapping method. While some guitarists had done two-handed tapping with the fingers of the right hand parallel to the strings, Chapman's method had the fingers of both hands perpendicular to the strings. This culminated in the creation of the Chapman Stick
Chapman Stick
The Chapman Stick is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. A member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick usually has ten or twelve individually tuned strings and has been used on music recordings to play bass lines, melody lines, chords or textures...
, with the first Stick manufactured in 1974. Chapman holds 14 patents for various aspects of the Chapman Stick. During the 1970s Chapman toured extensively to promote his music and the instrument.
In 1985 Chapman released a solo album titled Parallel Galaxy
Parallel Galaxy
Parallel Galaxy is the first solo album recorded by Emmett Chapman, playing Chapman Stick, and it was released in 1985.This represented both an example of Chapman's artistry on the Stick, and also showed other musicians what was possible on the Stick...
. This included Chapman playing with a drummer and without, and with harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
and vocal accompaniment
Accompaniment
In music, accompaniment is the art of playing along with an instrumental or vocal soloist or ensemble, often known as the lead, in a supporting manner...
. According to Chapman, his musical style is influenced by jazz guitarist John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin (musician)
John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
. One track from the album, Back Yard, was used in the "Alan Smithee
Alan Smithee
Alan Smithee was an official pseudonym used by film directors who wish to disown a project, coined in 1968. Until its use was formally discontinued in 2000, it was the sole pseudonym used by members of the Directors Guild of America when a director dissatisfied with the final product proved to...
" version of the 1984 film Dune
Dune (film)
Dune is a 1984 science fiction film written and directed by David Lynch, based on the 1965 Frank Herbert novel of the same name. The film stars Kyle MacLachlan as Paul Atreides, and includes an ensemble of well-known American and European actors in supporting roles. It was filmed at the Churubusco...
. A Chapman Stick painted gold was used as the baliset musical instrument, described in the novel.
In 1987 Chapman released a performance video titled Hands Across The Board. These days Chapman still performs, though not as much, and primarily in the Los Angeles area, where he lives. He also continues to head up Stick Enterprises, the company that makes Chapman Sticks.