Chapman Stick

The Chapman Stick, a member of the guitar and bass family, is an all-fingerboard instrument designed to take advantage of a two-handed tapping method of parallel hands playing. With both of your hands equal partners, they approach the fretboard from opposite sides; your fingers line up parallel to the frets. A powerful new musical language emerges - bass lines, lead melodies, chords, and rhythm, simultaneously, and in any combination.

With an expanded playing surface of strings and frets with the room and the range to explore a full two-handed piano technique applied directly onto the strings, the Chapman Stick has a longer natural sustain than guitar, and yet is extremely percussive, the "drumming" of fingers executing sharp, staccato rhythms. It also has a strong and distinctive bass voice. And so, the techniques of four major instruments - guitar, piano, bass and drums - are all brought together on this single instrument.

With well over 100,000 albums sold, and several hundred students to his credit, Bob Culbertson has become one of the most influential Chapman Stick soloists today. His recordings have been described as "the sound of the Stick in its purest form." Bob's shows have taken him to over 15 countries throughout the world including: Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and almost every state in the US.

His concerts have included openings and performances with several popular acts, including Robben Ford, Tuck and Patti, Steve Morse, The Doobie Brothers, Shelia E, Leon Russell, Dave Mason, Babatunde Olatunji, Neil Schon, Alex De Grassi, Fattburger, Micky Hart, David Grisman, Abraxas, and members of Santana.

"Bob is the Segovia of the Stick." Emmett Chapman, inventor of the Chapman Stick "Bob Culbertson is a virtuoso of his craft. His concert was absolutely beautiful and entertaining. The Carnegie attendees were telling me weeks later how amazed they were by his performance and instrument. He will be back." Mary Leb, Music Director, Carnegie Hall, WV "…Culbertson displays ferocious technique, handling the contrapuntal demands and rhythmic intricacies of each piece with the command of a virtuoso. The rich warm sound of the Acoustick is captured beautifully." Downbeat "Bob Culbertson sold more CDs than last week's guest, Ray Charles." Entertainment Manager, QVC "Possibly the world's number one touch guitarist." ABC TV, Inside San Diego "Bob is such a consummate performer, the place is filled to the rafters every time he plays there." Metro Weekly "Bob Culbertson's unique sound created the perfect atmosphere for our event." Sausalito Art Festival "Bob is an incredibly good musician whose time has come." Steve Wozniak