Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:05 am Posts: 2268 Location: Stockholm/Sweden
Prepared Stick for new exciting sounds
Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:20 am
Ted S.
Contributor
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:58 am Posts: 141 Location: Silver Spring, MD
Re: Prepared Stick for new exciting sounds
Wow!
Somewhere, John Cage is smiling
I haven't messed around with prepared Stick yet, but back in college I did a lot with prepared guitar. Try getting some small screws with washers and nuts, and bolting them to the strings (with the string between the washers) anywhere above the highest fret. Also, rubber grommets/gaskets wedged between any two strings create some interesting muted/percussive sounds.
Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:05 am Posts: 2268 Location: Stockholm/Sweden
Re: Prepared Stick for new exciting sounds
DaveS wrote:
Heck, I just have to start playing mine to get unusual sounds - unintentionally....
He, he... I used to have that talent too, but with each day it just becomes harder to stay at it
_________________ Cheers / Per Bamboo SG12, Wenge SG12, Bamboo Grand. PASV4 on all. (+ Stickup modded by Emmett 4 the PASV4 blocks). Fractal Audio AxeFx-III, 2 x RCF NX-10 SMA, Apollo Twin USB http://youtube.com/perboysen
Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:58 am
DaveS
Resident Contributor
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:17 pm Posts: 436 Location: New Jersey
Re: Prepared Stick for new exciting sounds
Maybe try putting thimbles on some of your finger tips? There was a video clip posted elsewhere on Stickist that showed one of the guys from Blue Man Group using a heavy string (bass I believe) as a bow...that is definately a different sound. I also thought Emmett mentioned something about pipe cleaners threaded thru the strings near the bridge..(could be wrong on that...).
Yes, something furry or even masking tape extending inward from the bridge by about three quarters of an inch will give a pizzicato sound to melody or bass strings, a nice rhythmic percussion. That close distance from the bridge saddles also produces a high pitched attack sound, a little "crunch" to enhance the muted percussive effect.
Also, try putting a piece of yarn under the melody strings next to the highest fret. Best is to unravel the yarn into thinner halves so that the whispy half piece just barely engages the underside of the melody strings. Every note you play, anywhere on the board, becomes a bluesy interval with b3rds, b5ths, b7ths, #9ths - a ring modulator effect without the electronics.
Now how about treated speakers? That's where the sound is coming from. Best, Emmett.
I did a rough demo, multi tracking all the different sounds I could find on the Stick. Careful, the level on this one is a bit loud. Love those gong like sounds Per..!
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:42 pm Posts: 2533 Location: Jersey
Re: Prepared Stick for new exciting sounds
Oh yeah. Bring on the hardware...I'm diggin this shit.
_________________ Peace, Marty "The present day composer refuses to die" -Edgard Varese
Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:46 pm
samstick
Member
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:18 pm Posts: 64 Location: Sydney Australia
Re: Prepared Stick for new exciting sounds
From what Emmett wrote, it almost sounds like an enterprising individual could invent/design a clip-on mute to be used in much the same way as a violinist does to mute the strings (con sordini), or alternately a permanently retrofitted device that can be easily clicked on and off at will whilst playing...
_________________ Sam Rosewood 10 String Grand ACTV-2
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