Flapamba
Emil Richards Collection) | |
| Percussion instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Keyboard percussion |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 111.212 (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
The original flapamba was invented in the 1960s by Brent Seawell. Studio percussionist
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
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
- OCLC 974035735.
- ISBN 978-0-19-974339-1.
- OCLC 1150842751.
- ProQuest 288242293.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-5228-6.
- OCLC 952160589.
- ^ Levine, Dave (1979). "Victor Feldman: Up Close" (PDF). Modern Drummer. Vol. 3, no. 6. p. 42.
External links
- Demonstration by L.A. Percussion Rentals