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{{use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Short description|Wooden keyboard percussion instrument}}
{{Infobox instrument
{{Infobox instrument
| name = Flapamba
| name = Flapamba
| names =
| names =
| image = Flapamba (from Emil Richards Collection).jpg
| image = Flapamba (from Emil Richards Collection).jpg
| image_capt = Flapamba (from [[Emil Richards Collection]])
| image_capt = Flapamba (from the [[Emil Richards Collection]])
| background =
| background = percussion
| classification = [[Percussion instrument]] ([[Idiophone]])
| classification = Keyboard percussion
| hornbostel_sachs = 111.212
| hornbostel_sachs_desc = Sets of percussion sticks
| inventors = Brent Seawell
| inventors = Brent Seawell
| range = F<sub>2</sub>–C<sub>4</sub>, C<sub>4</sub>–C<sub>6</sub>
| range = F<sub>2</sub>–C<sub>4</sub> or C<sub>4</sub>–C<sub>6</sub>
}}
}}
The flapamba is a [[musical instrument]] in the [[percussion instrument|percussion]] family. It consists of tuned wooden bars pinched on one side (over the [[node (physics)|node]]) and mounted over [[resonator]] boxes. Sliding the bars slightly forward or backward affects their tuning. Unlike [[marimba]] or [[xylophone]] however, the sound is not as focused tonally, as it is a bit more percussive (closer to tuned [[slit drum|log drums]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Strain |first=James Allen |url= |title=A Dictionary for the Modern Percussionist and Drummer |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield Publishers]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-8108-8693-3 |location=Lanham, MD |page=72 |oclc=974035735}}</ref>
The '''flapamba''' is a [[musical instrument]] in the [[percussion instrument|percussion]] family. It consists of tuned wooden bars pinched on one side over the [[node (physics)|node]] and mounted over [[resonator]] boxes. Sliding the bars slightly forward or backward affects their tuning. Unlike the [[marimba]] or [[xylophone]], the sound is not as focused tonally. It is a bit more percussive, sounding closer to tuned [[slit drum|log drums]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Strain |first=James Allen |url= |title=A Dictionary for the Modern Percussionist and Drummer |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield Publishers]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-8108-8693-3 |page=72 |oclc=974035735}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Studio percussionist [[Emil Richards]] bought his original flapamba from Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood in the late 1960s or early 1970s and added it to his instrument collection. Richards couldn't find any info on the history or maker of the flapamba when he purchased it, but nevertheless, he started using it on recording sessions, as the [[chromatic]] layout of the instrument made it an easy transition from other keyboard mallet instruments. He used the softest mallets possible or the his fingers to get a warm, resonant, wooden sound. This original flapamba had a range from [[middle C]] up two full octaves (C{{Sub|4}}-C{{Sub|6}}).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Libin |first=Laurence |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199743391.001.0001 |title=The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-19-974339-1 |edition=2nd |chapter=Flapamba}}</ref>
The original flapamba was invented in the 1960s by Brent Seawell. Studio percussionist [[Emil Richards]] later bought the flapamba from the Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood and added it to his instrument collection. Richards started using it in recording sessions and let other studios rent it out, leading to its inclusion in several film scores. To play it, he used either soft [[Percussion mallet|mallets]] or his fingers to get a warm, resonant sound. This original flapamba had a range from [[middle C]] up two full octaves (from C{{Sub|4}} to C{{Sub|6}} in [[scientific pitch notation]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Libin |first=Laurence |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199743391.001.0001 |title=The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-19-974339-1 |edition=2nd |chapter=Flapamba|doi=10.1093/acref/9780199743391.001.0001 }}</ref>


In the 2000s, Richards decided that he would like the flapamba to have an additional lower range, so specialty mallet craftsman Chris Banta made new bars spanning F{{Sub|2}} to C{{Sub|4}}, and dubbed this the "bass flapamba". He also replaced the bars on the original set to maintain continuity of sound between both sets and changed the finish to a blonde color from the original set's brown. Both sets combined have a range from F{{Sub|2}}–C{{Sub|6}}.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bornstein |first=Robert G. |url= |title=Range, Transposition and Tuning: A Guide for Over 500 Musical Instruments |publisher=[[Hal Leonard]] |year=2015 |isbn=1-4950-5894-8 |location=Milwaukee, WI |oclc=1150842751}}</ref>
In 2009, Richards decided to extend the lower range of the instrument. Specialty mallet craftsman Chris Banta made new bars spanning F{{Sub|2}} to C{{Sub|4}} and dubbed this the "bass flapamba". He also replaced the bars on the original set to create a consistent sound between the two. Both sets combined have a range from F{{Sub|2}} to C{{Sub|6}}.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bornstein |first=Robert G. |url= |title=Range, Transposition and Tuning: A Guide for Over 500 Musical Instruments |publisher=[[Hal Leonard]] |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-4950-5894-3 |pages=24 |oclc=1150842751}}</ref>


=== Use ===
== Use ==
The flapamba can most often be heard in [[Film score|film music]], such as in [[Michael Giacchino]]'s soundtrack for ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Alex |date=2010-05-17 |title=The Spooky Fill: Onward and Upward with the Arts |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/288242293?accountid=196403&forcedol=true&forcedol=true |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=[[The New Yorker]] |language=en |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> Composer [[Elmer Bernstein]] used it on the soundtrack for ''[[McQ]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Spencer |first=Kristopher |title=Film and Television Scores, 1950–1979: A Critical Survey by Genre |date=2008 |publisher=McFarland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wz2dxDNaEDgC&q=Flapamba&pg=PA19 |page=19 |isbn=9780786452286 }}</ref> The beginning of the [[Steely Dan]] track "[[Rikki Don't Lose That Number]]" features [[Victor Feldman]] playing the flapamba, although his contribution was cut from the [[single (music)|single]] version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Dave |date=December 1979 |title=Victor Feldman: Up Close |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/md14.pdf |website=[[Modern Drummer]] |page=49}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Millward |first=Stephen |url= |title=Fast Forward: Music and Politics in 1974 |publisher=Troubador Publishing Limited |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-78589-158-8 |location=Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire |pages=46 |oclc=952160589}}</ref>
The flapamba can most often be heard in [[Film score|film music]], such as on [[Michael Giacchino]]'s soundtrack for ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Alex |date=2010-05-17 |title=The Spooky Fill: Onward and Upward with the Arts |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/17/the-spooky-fill |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |volume=86 |issue=13}}</ref> Composer [[Elmer Bernstein]] used it on the soundtrack for ''[[McQ]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Spencer |first=Kristopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wz2dxDNaEDgC&q=Flapamba&pg=PA19 |title=Film and Television Scores, 1950–1979: A Critical Survey by Genre |date=2008 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5228-6 |page=19}}</ref> The beginning of the [[Steely Dan]] track "[[Rikki Don't Lose That Number]]" features [[Victor Feldman]] playing the flapamba, although his contribution was cut from the [[single (music)|single]] version.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Millward |first=Stephen |url= |title=Fast Forward: Music and Politics in 1974 |publisher=Troubador Publishing Limited |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-78589-158-8 |pages=46 |oclc=952160589}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Levine |first=Dave |date=1979 |title=Victor Feldman: Up Close |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/md14.pdf |journal=[[Modern Drummer]] |volume=3 |issue=6 |pages=42}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==


<references />
⚫
[[Category:Keyboard percussion]]

== External links ==

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gnLHAMQlXo Demonstration] by [[L.A. Percussion Rentals]]
⚫
[[Category:Keyboard percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Stick percussion idiophones]]
[[Category:Stick percussion idiophones]]
[[Category:Pitched percussion]]
[[Category:American musical instruments]]

Latest revision as of 10:13, 4 October 2024

Flapamba
Flapamba (from the Emil Richards Collection)
Percussion instrument
Classification Keyboard percussion
Hornbostel–Sachs classification111.212
(Sets of percussion sticks)
Inventor(s)Brent Seawell
Playing range
F2–C4 or C4–C6

The flapamba is a musical instrument in the percussion family. It consists of tuned wooden bars pinched on one side over the node and mounted over resonator boxes. Sliding the bars slightly forward or backward affects their tuning. Unlike the marimba or xylophone, the sound is not as focused tonally. It is a bit more percussive, sounding closer to tuned log drums.[1]

History

[edit]

The original flapamba was invented in the 1960s by Brent Seawell. Studio percussionist Emil Richards later bought the flapamba from the Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood and added it to his instrument collection. Richards started using it in recording sessions and let other studios rent it out, leading to its inclusion in several film scores. To play it, he used either soft mallets or his fingers to get a warm, resonant sound. This original flapamba had a range from middle C up two full octaves (from C4 to C6 in scientific pitch notation).[2]

In 2009, Richards decided to extend the lower range of the instrument. Specialty mallet craftsman Chris Banta made new bars spanning F2 to C4 and dubbed this the "bass flapamba". He also replaced the bars on the original set to create a consistent sound between the two. Both sets combined have a range from F2 to C6.[3]

Use

[edit]

The flapamba can most often be heard in film music, such as on Michael Giacchino's soundtrack for Lost.[4] Composer Elmer Bernstein used it on the soundtrack for McQ.[5] The beginning of the Steely Dan track "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" features Victor Feldman playing the flapamba, although his contribution was cut from the single version.[6][7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Strain, James Allen (2017). A Dictionary for the Modern Percussionist and Drummer. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-8108-8693-3. OCLC 974035735.
  2. ^ Libin, Laurence (2015). "Flapamba". The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780199743391.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-974339-1.
  3. ^ Bornstein, Robert G. (2015). Range, Transposition and Tuning: A Guide for Over 500 Musical Instruments. Hal Leonard. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-4950-5894-3. OCLC 1150842751.
  4. ^ Ross, Alex (May 17, 2010). "The Spooky Fill: Onward and Upward with the Arts". The New Yorker. Vol. 86, no. 13.
  5. ^ Spencer, Kristopher (2008). Film and Television Scores, 1950–1979: A Critical Survey by Genre. McFarland. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7864-5228-6.
  6. ^ Millward, Stephen (2016). Fast Forward: Music and Politics in 1974. Troubador Publishing Limited. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-78589-158-8. OCLC 952160589.
  7. ^ Levine, Dave (1979). "Victor Feldman: Up Close" (PDF). Modern Drummer. Vol. 3, no. 6. p. 42.
[edit]
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