I first met Emmett Chapman, the man who developed the instrument, shortly after meeting Paul Edwards and purchasing my first Chapman Stick. Emmett came down to the store to do a demo and to talk more about his instrument, and that was an exciting day, as I would end up meet one of the most influential people in my musical life, and would make a lifelong friend.

In those early years, I think Emmett was off demoing and playing the instrument all over the country and World at many different music stores and various venues. It’s truly mind-boggling when you think about everything he had to do and be, all at the same time. He had to be a great player or people wouldn’t be interested in the instrument. He had to be a great craftsman to build and improve the instrument. He had to be a public relations person and act as the spokesperson and brand ambassador for an all-new approach to playing an all-new instrument. He did it all, and successfully introduced us all to a new and exciting way to play music.

Stick players like to talk about the instrument and the genius of Emmett, but let me tell you something – Emmett is a great player who has his own unique and creative playing style. I’ve always referred to Emmett as the John Coltrane of the Chapman Stick, and I have always loved to listen to him play. His tapping and rhythmic ideas are definitely something to be studied if you’re a Stick player. You have to remember in the beginning he didn’t have anybody to listen to he had to be his own innovator, and innovate he has. He uses a lot of extended arpeggio approaches in his right hand while simultaneously drowning in extending patterns on the left-hand, always changing up his approach to songs and songwriting.