Of course it's a string intrument. But can you consider it as a percussion instrument? A bit like a piano for example...or a vibraphone, marimba, etc...all these instruments you need "to tap" to obtain a sound. Open discussion...of course.

I'd have to say definitely yes... I mean, the rhythmic aspect of this instrument is so critical... and it's a powerful element that you can use to make music with this instrument right off the bat. I mean, you "tap" it right? That transference of energy relates "percussion"...

But, then again you may have to wait for real Stick players to chime in to answer that one! All I have are opinions...

Right after I got my first Stick in the late 90's, I was anxious to show it off at a gathering of mostly musicians. I let everyone interested pick it up and try to make music on it. Across the board, in my opinion, the percussionists made what sounded like music on the instrument almost immediately. The only person who took to it more quickly was the guy who played marimba in a football half-time marching band. (I am happy to say he didn't have to march with his marimba very often!)

Mike

You tap and hold the strings onto the fret tip for a spell. While holding, you can "treat" the note with bending, sliding and about six good vibratos. The tapping element is percussive, the holding is not.

You can't hold a note on drums (never, hardly ever, never say never, never say, "Never say never"). A drum has an attack and a decay, that's it. A drum roll might seem like sustain, but no more so than the standard mandolin tremolo technique. A snare has that backwards sound (Beatles tape running backwards), springs rebounding from the bottom and zapping to a quick release.

Academia classifies piano as a percussion instrument. The hammered string has a predictable period of diminishing sustain, depending on which pedal you press. Holding the key down has no effect on timber or sustain but releasing the key releases the note.

The Stick is different. With the right electronic effects you can make the note swell. Vibrato can sustain a note or chord forever. The "hold" element of "tap and hold" is at least equally important and you can hammer on and off any string with the upper (higher pitched) reach of your hand (the pinky).

Attitude comes into play. Free up and treat The Stick as a percussion instrument - strictly staccato. Dig into the strings for legato lines and a hundred "finger effects" including hammer-off techniques.

The vocabulary is broad and you're the stylist.

Coincidentally I've recently been emphasizing this concept to my students. Notes are frequencies but a percussive perspective adds that needed groove factor. Unleashing that harmonic drum kit is a marvelous sonic discovery.

Steve A

Amen to that, BSharp. The percussionists made early "music" on my Stick, but I think it was largely due to the fact that they were not afraid to tap it. Not yet worried about shapes or pleasing harmonies. The "hold", "bend" and ever thickening harmony(and myriad other techniques) breathe life into, and nourish that early music so it grows and matures, and gives birth to further music.

And SA, I really need to schedule some skype lessons with you. Tough in the summer, but not impossible. PM ya soon.(promise)


Mike

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ObigqMV1U[/youtube]

Thank you all for your comments. I guess we can say the Stick is partially a percussion instrument with more other ways to play it. Percussion being an important part because we tap the strings...if we don't...no sounds at all. Maybe with strumming but it's not really the main goal.

I have learned Ghanaian and other African rhythms on the djembe, and then translated it to the STICK..... When I play with these percussionists we weave a deep and driving groove. This is my favorite aspect of the Stick. To me, it is ALL about that drive and groove

'Yes', and most certainly 'no'. It's diversity means it takes a very brave man to say the instrument belongs solely to a single instrument family

Bottom line, if ever the Stick finds itself in an orchestra, the player will be sitting on their own, and not in any 'section' .....and quite rightly so!