42-String Guitar played by a Master...

[Corno Dolce]

Well gang,

Here's a treat for the ears and soul by today's Master of Jazz Guitar on an instrument built by Linda Manzer of Canada:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT81mNjrA7M

Enjoy - I do it immensely as does my tribe................

[Krummhorn]

A beautifully sounding instrument ... had to look it up - it's called a Pikasso Guitar.

Some information on this instrument available here

[JHC]

Very interesting CD but I fail to see the point in it other than drones and multiple harmonics you still have only two hands.
Geez I am an old stick in the mud eh.

[Corno Dolce]

"Old stick in the mud"

Nonsense! In the hands of a Master it can create much music of many different origins, styles, and genres. Its an extension of the artist's body, mind, heart, soul, and spirit. Of course, at first it seemed counterintuitive to me - no doubt about it - I thought: Totally crazy!!!??? But coupled with the knowledge of "oriental scales" - musical traditions and so on, it will provide new vistas for the listener. Of course, put this instrument in the hands of one who only knows I, V, IV chord progressions, if even that, it would be a disaster! Each musical instrument requires a learned hand in order for it to be put to its fullest use.

[JHC]

CD are you saying that the finger board on this instrument can facilitate chords that a std finger board can not? and which oriental scale can be played on this board that can not be played on a std board or does the musician somehow change to one of the other finger boards? it would be interesting to see it being played perhaps by Julian Bream. due respects.

[Corno Dolce]

Think of it this way - Like a pipe or electronic organ with 3 or more manuals - A guitar with several sets of strings like the Pikasso Guitar gives the interpreter the flexibility of accessing different sounds without having to retune the "main" guitar.

Well, oriental scale would be like that used in Hindu Music, Pentatonic scale in Chinese/Japanese music and so on...

[JHC]

Here is one being played he seems to be strumming one set of strings and fingering what I assume is the main fingerboard, I must admit I don’t get it, the overtones produced + the built in amp and external microphone together make a sound which is new to me, still it is in itself a makers masterpiece. Not to sure about the sound



Just a thought but Indian (Hindu) scales use 1/4 notes this would not be possible on this keyboard because of the frets and Pentatonic can be played on a conventional finger board or are we talking of different things?

[teddy]

Thank you CD. A lovely interpretation of a favourite piece. Thanks also to Lars and Colin for the extra information. Not something I would dare to tackle myself but maybe a new challenge for our very own John Watt?

teddy

[Corno Dolce]

"Ponder or rubbish" - There we go again - Please, I will not rubbish - I have already pondered: The 1/4 tones and Pentatonic scale will be facilitated by the strings without frets ergo - Those which you see that he occasionally strums - The ones on a 45 degree angle. I can perceive that it is challenging for you - I myself am (still) pondering the different possibilities that this instrument offers to a Master. The sound palette? Yes, for some it will be an un-necessary "harmonic mush" but I see that other possibilities are available without the "harmonic mush" or shall I say "train of overtones"?

[JHC]

But CD look at the width of the finger boards he could not get his hand around it, the only way to use it would be as a Zither is played. No, I must admit I am flabbergasted. He is fingering the conventional fingerboard (why) yet playing the strings on the other boards we need a Guitar player to explain this for us.

[Corno Dolce]

"Get the hand around the fingerboard" - Well, get your hand around this:

http://www.warrguitars.com/gallery/p...series/7279464

A guitarist also uses the "tapping technique".

"As a Zither is played" - Naturally, dear sir...Maybe if one pokes around on a Guitar Forum where there are resident users of Pikassos and Chapman Sticks one can then suss out the answers one seeks. I wish I had more ways to explain so that you be helped for I am at the end of my chain.

[GoneBaroque]

Before we lose it in the discussion CD your submission was surely a treat for the ears. I don't think that tune has ever sounded better. Really impressive playing and a geart sounding instrument.

[JHC]

"Get the hand around the fingerboard" - Well, get your hand around this:

So that is strung for left and right handed players or someone with 3 arms or for 2 players one heck of a wide fingerboard

A guitarist also uses the "tapping technique".

"As a Zither is played" - Naturally, dear sir...Maybe if one pokes around on a Guitar Forum where there are resident users of Pikassos and Chapman Sticks one can then suss out the answers one seeks. I wish I had more ways to explain so that you be helped for I am at the end of my chain.

I do hope it is not a choker chain CD

[Corno Dolce]

Yes, its a choker chain - And I am being strangled by it

Hi GB,

Thanx...I was simply stunned by the instrument in question - and then to discover at just how tenderly a tender piece can be interpreted - Yes, the riot of "harmonic colors" produced by the instrument might not be everybody's cup of tea but??? Ah well.........

[JHC]

Before we lose it in the discussion CD your submission was surely a treat for the ears. I don't think that tune has ever sounded better. Really impressive playing and a geart sounding instrument.

GB, CD and JHC would never lose it over anything, But I do sense CDs frustration at my persistence, if you see my first post I said the only thing that I could see as a positive in this instrument were:
the drones and multiple harmonics which you have both now mentioned, whoopee, plus I can’t figure out how the dashed thing is played it is the kind of instrument that I would expect from some guy who would then extol the many artistic, intellectual and musically supeperior aspects of the 42 string 97 seater LH RH Pikasso Guitar, well it takes all sorts! kind of if you know what I mean. I am a totally committed devotee to acoustic instruments with the one exception of the Vibraphone so the only real interest that I have is in working out how you play it, unlike you I am not in raptures of the overall sound which I find muddied and confusing. I hope this causes no or at least not a lot of antagonism from you lot of mains powered freaks (only kiddin)
CD the trick with the choker chain is to stop struggling.