I’ve seen Bela Fleck (with the Fleck-Tones) three times, so I had to watch this interview.

Iit’s interesting to listen to him talk about the limitations and the strengths of his instrument, just as we do with the Stick. I’m working my way slowly through an arrangement of Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1, so I’m becoming very familiar with the challenge of arranging orchestral or piano music for the Stick.

One of my very favorite pieces of all time (introduced to it, as was Bela, at a very young age) is Rhapsody in Blue. At about 29:00 in this he rips through part of his arrangement of this iconic jazz composition. If it can be done with only five strings and three fingers, I’ll bet it can be done on 10 (or 12) and eight fingers!!

And for the Bach lovers amongst us (@earthgene) his discussion of Bach at about 36:00 is fun too!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/w8mCfHtYxZhBLk6s9
Bela with a different instrument

Did he have a go at playing it?

No. We were hangin' backstage after a show we did.
My duo opened for a Bela and Chick Corea duo set
I have another photo with Chick holding The Stick.
We call him Stick Corea

SA

Maye he should have tried playing your Stick? It might have been a new turn in his Corea?

Good one David.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LczNAny9LuwEptvN9
Stick Corea
Not exactly held in a great position.

SA