Hello Folk

my name is Thomas, I am 35 years old and live near Bern, Switzerland.
I have been playing instruments for 30 years, mainly brass instruments like trumpet and euphonium. So I was playing in different formations for more than half of my life. About 10 years ago I fell in love with the Scottish bagpipe, which has accompanied me ever since. The alphorn, also a not so common instrument, crosses my life again and again.
Apparently I have an affinity for special instruments... that's how it was a few weeks ago when I came across a youtube video in which "the stick" was being played. This until then completely unknown instrument has since eaten its way into my head and my heart. Another love of mine that wants to be loved and lived

So I am not yet a stick player, but I am a wannabe.

Unfortunately, I have no experience with string instruments so far, but I am willing to learn the instrument. I am fascinated by the diversity. Even though I know that I will often cut my teeth, I would like to start this adventure and become one of you.

I hope that with your input and information, I will soon find an instrument and know what is right for me. I hope to start my journey soon. I am enormously grateful for any help

Happy Tapping and see you soon
Thoemsi

Hello Thoemsi.

I know there are several Stick players in Switzerland. I may have the emails for three of them.

If you cannot find them, please send me a private message (click the small "PM" at the bottom left of this message of mine) . I can contact these players to see if they would be interested in letting you try out the instrument, assuming they are near you and etc.

We've all been where you are: discovering the Stick and desperately wanting to get our hands on one.

Several years ago I had an urge to get bagpipes and checked the used sites only to find them in the $4000US range. Ouch. So the Stick being maybe less than that used to get in Switzerland...I wish you luck. It's hard to do drones on Stick, unless you have a lopping device.

Herzlich willkommen!

If you can't find anybody in Switzerland, you are more than welcome to visit me in Freiburg (in Germany, not the Swiss one). I have a ten-string Stick and a Stick Guitar you could try.

Best,
Johannes

Hello Thoemsi,

I live in Vorarlberg (Ludesch) and I play a 12 String Graphite Grand stick. If you want to try it or need some advice, you are allways welcome (it is about 3 Htrs. driving from Bern to Ludesch).
Mit freundlichen Grüßen.
Peter

I'm in Austria, too (just one continent to the east of your country ) albeit near Graz ... I received help when I was entering the Stick Territory and would gladly be of help to others

I love how promptly all the Swiss players chimed in.

It is a big beautiful group Thoemsi, I sure hope you get to post a pic of the next Swiss Chapman Stick event, sounds like it's already shaping up.

Hello all your Stickers

was quite a funny time when i said "hello" around 7 weeks ago... thank you for all the nice answers and messages i got.

short update: i got one!!!! lucky me i got a nice, almost new 12String Bamboo Stick... awesome open the case the first time and get the sweet lady out of the box and touch her

i started first finger practice one week ago! for a guy without any experiences with string-instruments a whole new way to play. nevermind using both hands at once... but i see a little progress.

i'm just happy... even it means standing in my room every evening for 2h


have a good day all of you, and again: thank you very much

Congratulations. Very happy for you.


I imagine you're aware that the Stick can be played while sat too?

yeah i know... i have this special beam for the laps... but actually i don't have a chair in my rehearsal room