Harpejji? I hardly knew ji!

April 1, 2018 8:39 PM

The Harpejji is a stringed instrument that's a cross between a guitar, bass guitar, and piano. It's played by tapping. Mathieu Terrade is a virtuoso: Africa | Bohemian Rhapsody | Mr. Sandman | Moonlight Sonata (Harpejji previously)
posted by Johnny Wallflower (17 comments total)

Finally, a Harpejji post! I'm tempted to pick one up but -- ahem -- they're a bit on the pricey side. (I'm sure they're worth it, though ^_^)
posted by retronic at 8:47 PM on April 1, 2018

The G16 is in the same price range as mid-level acoustic guitars, but I hear you. One can buy a playable guitar for much less.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:53 PM on April 1, 2018

Agreed. Wood and Skilled Craftsmanship don't come cheaply :/
posted by retronic at 9:00 PM on April 1, 2018

Mathieu Terrade has a bunch of other great performances on YouTube: Vince Guaraldi's "Skating" (a little Peanuts music), Santana's "Samba Pa Ti", Dave Brubeck's "Take Five", Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" (as an overdubbed duet), Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", Mason Williams' "Classical Gas" (an alltime fave of mine), Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" (there's a separate clip where he duets with Stevie, who's taken up the harpejji himself!). And much more wonder-fulness!
posted by oneswellfoop at 9:17 PM on April 1, 2018 [3 favorites]

There's a neat video somewhere of Stevie Wonder playing one, who approaches it as a sort of keyboard-less clavinet.

I was curious about a similar instrument years ago called the Starrboard. I think i read about it in Experimental Musical Instruments. I was really interested in the isomorphic arrangement of notes. The Harpejji goes one better with a cleverly simple system for electronically muting strings that are not being played.
posted by 2N2222 at 9:22 PM on April 1, 2018

There's a neat video somewhere of Stevie Wonder playing one...

He's one of the people featured on the instrument’s videos page. Also here.
posted by LeLiLo at 10:07 PM on April 1, 2018

I saw this a few weeks ago, it reminded me of Stanley Jordan.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 10:28 PM on April 1, 2018 [2 favorites]

Came in thinking it might be like the arpeggione; it is not an arpeggione.

Are there any videos of people just playing scales / warmups / arpeggios on this?
posted by batter_my_heart at 11:13 PM on April 1, 2018

It seems to suffer from the same problems as do other touch style guitar-like instruments: monotony of timbre, and lack of dynamic range.
posted by thelonius at 11:27 PM on April 1, 2018 [6 favorites]

I had only ever heard the name until just now but suddenly I covet one. I must restrain myself, though – I still have a Chapman Stick that rarely leaves its case.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:30 AM on April 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

Musical ironing boards ftw!
posted by scruss at 7:39 AM on April 2, 2018 [2 favorites]

I was thinking the same thing, thelonius—it can handle a song like Sandman that doesn't call for a lot of dynamic range, but, no matter how skilled the player, falls down on something like Bohemian Rhapsody. Reminds me a bit of a harpsichord.
posted by adamrice at 10:48 AM on April 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

I can see why Stevie Wonder favors it for clavinet-type parts, yes. But it is a nifty contraption!
posted by thelonius at 11:42 AM on April 2, 2018

It seems to suffer from the same problems as do other touch style guitar-like instruments: monotony of timbre, and lack of dynamic range.

Yes. Besides the novelty factor, I'm not seeing anything that would not sound better and be easier to play on another instrument. I trust Stevie Wonder knows what he's doing, but I'm not seeing what this offers over other instruments.

Everyone looks really uncomfortable playing them.
posted by bongo_x at 12:23 PM on April 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

batter_my_heart: “Are there any videos of people just playing scales / warmups / arpeggios on this?”

Beginner Lessons for Harpejji

1. Basic Fretboard Layout
2. Major Scales
3. Minor Scales
4. Major & Minor Chords

How long does it take to tune the Harpejji?
Restringing the Harpejji
posted by ob1quixote at 1:57 PM on April 2, 2018 [2 favorites]

I hadn't heard of the harpejji previously. The dynamic range concerns are certainly valid, but I'm still fascinated by the sound. Thanks, Johnny Wallflower!
posted by bryon at 9:47 PM on April 2, 2018

I don't know whether to thank you or curse you for this post; it's triggered a common problem I have on youtube: "Instrument I didn't know existed until today, but now NEED to own!"
posted by Greasy Eyed Gristle Man at 8:45 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]