Michael Kollwitz and the Chapman Stick

by Mike Shea

Billed as “Michael K & The Chapman Stick”, Michael Kollwitz recently treated the crowd at the Nevada County Fair to an auditory treat. Playing a 12-string Chapman Stick, Michael tapped through several genres of music, including "Song for my Father", "California Dreaming", "Eleanor Rigby", "Black Orpheus", Santana’s "Europa", and "Happy Trails" by Dale Evans. Michael was able to generate so much sound on his Chapman Stick that when I first heard him I thought he was playing on top of a recorded backup track.

Michael Kollwitz with the Chapman Stick. Photo by Mike Shea.

With a personable stage demeanor, Michael gave a brief history of the Chapman Stick, stating it was one of three instruments invented in the United States, and that the Chapman Stick takes three months to make and only 50 are made at one time. Michael stated that he plays all songs in A minor and that he only has a callus on his left hand index finger, which is the one that plays the bass notes. Michael has played the Chapman Stick for 30 years and took lessons from instruments inventor, Emmett Chapman.

According to Michael’s website, “The Stick is played with both hands; simultaneously playing both bass and melody parts independently - by tapping and holding strings to frets (rather than by pluck or strum). The Stick incorporates the essence of guitar, bass, keyboards and drums - all into one instrument! With these unique capabilities, The Stick can sound like 2 or 3 musicians at once in the hands of a talented player.”

Michael sells CDs off his website, which also allows a person to listen to music samples.

Related Links
Michael Kollwiztz
The Chapman Stick
Michael Shea Photography