Hi Monk,

Always enjoy reading your posts about applying keyboard music to the fretboard. I've found the short-scale instrument goes high enough to play much of this music in the original octaves intended.

I hope to get to hear and see some vids of you playing these pieces.

I remember you had an NS in mirrored 4ths. What tuning are you using now?

Andre' I am not much of a cover person but both "The Clap" and "Mood For A Day" have
always intrigued me. Certainly it would be easier on the NS than Stick. I am wondering
if you are using "Guitar Interval" tuning for your project? Would love to hear a clip.
^j^
. ~

Bob culbertson's version of mood for a day

http://www.bobculbertson.com/mood_for.mp3

it's on his 'acoustick' but i think it would work well
on a plain stick also.. (hmmm... )

-mike

My NS is still in symmetrical mirrored 4ths:

DAEBEADG

...with low B in the middle. Good for playing acrobatic bass lines, and it contains a standard 5-string as well.


Mad Monk.

harpsitar@gmail.com

Wow that's in interesting tuning. So all of your strings are in the bass register? No "thin" strings?

And your point?
Quid pro quo... it is how the world goes around my friend. I'll gladly pay or barter with Greg, Steve, or any person that can further my goals. Where is the shame in being compensated for a hard earned skill? I propose that you get some kind of payment or reward for your guerilla posts.

Skype me sometime (operators are standing by... we accept MC, Visa and Money Orders)

Right. Or as SE would describe it:

Melody:

1. G
2. D (down a 4th)
3. A (down a 4th)
4. E (standard bass low E)

Bass:

5. B (5-string bass low B)
6. E (up a 4th)
7. A (up a 4th)
8. D (up a 4th)

...basically 2 basses that run into one another.


Mad Monk.

harpsitar@gmail.com

Hi Mike, I have heard that clip and have tried to figure it out but I can only find bits and
pieces. Bob does a really great job.

Andre says he: Which I assume that he means that he uses a VG system. Lots of potential in that idea although we had a discussion with Steve Adelson about that in Canada and he seemed
to come from the place of ...what's the use; if you already have all the notes why change the tuning...
Not an exact quote and I can't really disagree; I guess you could play "Mood For A Day"
on piano because all the notes are there too but for me the idea of assimilating the
instrument so thourally that I could play anything is like looking at a big mountain
in the distance and saying "oh I should stop climbing the one I'm on and climb that one".
Not right or wrong just both Anyway I like what Jim O'rourke says ; "to find out, olny to find out.
^j^
. ~

For "Clap" (without "the") and most other things I (try to) play the tuning of my NS/Stick is all fourths.
Clap is a nice piece to tap with both hands, with some occasional strumming.
(for "Mood for a day" I stick to the Spanish guitar.)
So most of the time it's all fourths, but nevertheless......



......yep it's the VG-99. While trying the intro of "One Time" (Bass+FrippGuitar) I discovered that it would be much easier on the NS if I had three hands. But I don't so I tuned string 1 & 2 up four semitones(!) and now it can be done, it's not difficult anymore. But for a "normal" Stick changing the tuning might not be necessary?

André.

Part 1

I am relatively new to the Stick (Nov. 07), but I feel I am having pretty good success with the instrument.

This is what I've been working on so far:

Along with my 12-String Grand Stick, I purchased the Stick Book, the Sticktionary, and Free Hands (BTW I did not mind paying for them ).

In the Stick Book I found the chapters, 2. Rudiments for the Left & Right Hands, 5. Independence, & 7. Interdependence, to be very useful in developing the basic skills needed to play the instrument. I also had a lot of fun with chapter 8. Two-Handed Bass. I am working on reading the 6-dimensional "Staff Tab." As a long time guitarist, I struggle more with the bass clef.

The Sticktionary is a great reference book. I mostly use the fretboard diagram and the Pitch Ranges charts.

Free Hands is interesting. Particularly, Emmett's ideas about starting bass lines with the 2nd finger are liberating and opened up new doors for me.

I still have much to learn from all three books. However, I have also explored some other avenues.

I must get ready for work now, I will post Part 2 soon.

http://www.myspace.com/jeffcomas