Flapamba: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox instrument |
{{Infobox instrument |
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|name |
| name = Flapamba |
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|names |
| names = |
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|image |
| image = Flapamba (from Emil Richards Collection).jpg |
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|image_capt |
| image_capt = Flapamba (from [[Emil Richards Collection]]) |
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|background |
| background = |
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|classification = [[Percussion instrument]] ([[Idiophone]]) |
| classification = [[Percussion instrument]] ([[Idiophone]]) |
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|inventors |
| inventors = Brent Seawell |
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| ⚫ | |||
|developed = Brent Seawell |
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| ⚫ | |||
|related = |
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|builders = Chris Banta |
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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=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/974035735 |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 [[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=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/974035735 |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> |
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Revision as of 07:36, 24 April 2022
.jpg) Flapamba (from Emil Richards Collection) | |
| Classification | Percussion instrument (Idiophone) |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | Brent Seawell |
| Playing range | |
| F2–C4, 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 marimba or xylophone however, the sound is not as focused tonally, as it is a bit more percussive (closer to tuned log drums).[1]
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. Emil 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 (C4-C6).
In the 2000s, Emil decided that he would like the flapamba to have an additional lower range, so 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 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 F2–C6.[2]
Use
The flapamba can most often be heard in film music, such as in Michael Giacchino's soundtrack for Lost.[3] Composer Elmer Bernstein used it on the soundtrack for McQ.[4] 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.[5][6]
References
- ^ Strain, James Allen (2017). A Dictionary for the Modern Percussionist and Drummer. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-8108-8693-3. OCLC 974035735.
- ^ Bornstein, Robert G. (2015). Range, Transposition and Tuning: A Guide for Over 500 Musical Instruments. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard. ISBN 1-4950-5894-8. OCLC 1150842751.
- ^ Ross, Alex (2010-05-17). "The Spooky Fill: Onward and Upward with the Arts". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2022-04-24 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Spencer, Kristopher (2008). Film and Television Scores, 1950–1979: A Critical Survey by Genre. McFarland. p. 19. ISBN 9780786452286.
- ^ Levine, Dave (December 1979). "Victor Feldman: Up Close" (PDF). Modern Drummer. p. 49.
- ^ Millward, Stephen (2016). Fast Forward: Music and Politics in 1974. Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire: Troubador Publishing Limited. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-78589-158-8. OCLC 952160589.