StarrBoard
Encyclopedia
The StarrBoard is a stringed musical instrument invented by John D. Starrett and patented on July 23, 1985.
It is a tapping instrument similar in concept to the Chapman Stick
except that it is played on a stand (like a keyboard) rather than worn on the body. Another difference is that it is played with fingers parallel to the strings, not perpendicular. The frets of the StarrBoard are spaced at semitone intervals, as are those on most fretted instruments. The piano-like note markers on the fretboard reflect a semitone string tuning system, although Starrett experimented with various microtonal tuning systems over the years. At least eleven StarrBoards were built before Starrett ceased production of the instrument. Most of the instruments were electric, although at least one was purely acoustic. The StarrBoard is no longer being manufactured, although a derivative instrument called the harpejji
is being made.
It is a tapping instrument similar in concept to the Chapman Stick
Chapman Stick
The Chapman Stick is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. A member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick usually has ten or twelve individually tuned strings and has been used on music recordings to play bass lines, melody lines, chords or textures...
except that it is played on a stand (like a keyboard) rather than worn on the body. Another difference is that it is played with fingers parallel to the strings, not perpendicular. The frets of the StarrBoard are spaced at semitone intervals, as are those on most fretted instruments. The piano-like note markers on the fretboard reflect a semitone string tuning system, although Starrett experimented with various microtonal tuning systems over the years. At least eleven StarrBoards were built before Starrett ceased production of the instrument. Most of the instruments were electric, although at least one was purely acoustic. The StarrBoard is no longer being manufactured, although a derivative instrument called the harpejji
Harpejji
The harpejji is an electric stringed musical instrument developed in 2007 by Tim Meeks, founder of Marcodi Musical Products, and is a descendant of the StarrBoard. The instrument aims to bridge the gap in sound and technique between the guitar and the piano...
is being made.