Harpejji

[Canard]

A new fretted stringed instrument, one apparently favoured by Stevie Wonder.

‘If Stevie Wonder wants to play it, pay attention!’: how a bizarre new instrument found unusual success

A metre-long cross between a piano and electric guitar, the harpejji is earning famous fans and millions in revenue. But can ‘chaos bells’ or an abacus-powered synth do the same?

www.theguardian.com

Technically, I suppose, it is a fretted psaltery-family instrument, one made for tapping. It is interesting and sort of cool. It would seem capable of offering a lot of harmonic possibilities, none of which are exploited in the new-age sounding demo video. Its weak spot for me is its insipid timbre which is sort of like amplified early electro-acoustic guitar with a tiny bit of 80s chorus pedal.

 

[chazmo]

How totally cool! I like it!

Agreed with your comments, Canard. But, I presume you can mess with the tone like an electric guitar.

Oh, and it is available in birch!

 

[Canard]

But, I presume you can mess with the tone like an electric guitar.

Yes.

It is early days for the instrument, and I suspect there is a lot of unrealised potential, not only with amplification and pedals but also with Godin-like bridge saddles which would allow it to access synths with a MIDI connection.

 

[chazmo]

The only thing I didn't get from the video and the verbiage is whether it has an acoustic sound to it. I'm guessing that's not it's expected use given the tapping and all, but was just curious.

 

[Canard]

The only thing I didn't get from the video and the verbiage is whether it has an acoustic sound to it. I'm guessing that's not it's expected use given the tapping and all, but was just curious.

The rosette looks like it is only mimetic and not actually covering a sound hole. The thickness of the instrument would not provide much of a resonant chamber, which is good for an amplified instrument. So I suspect that it does not have much of an acoustic voice.

The maker and vendor:

Marcodi Musical Products: Makers of the harpejji

The harpejji is a stringed instrument with authentic and expressive sound, new musical possibilities, easy visual navigation, minimal pattern memorization and comfortable playing.

www.marcodi.com

 

[chazmo]

The rosette looks like it is only mimetic and not actually covering a sound hole. The thickness of the instrument would not provide much of a resonant chamber, which is good for an amplified instrument. So I suspect that it does not have much of an acoustic voice.

The maker and vendor:

Marcodi Musical Products: Makers of the harpejji

The harpejji is a stringed instrument with authentic and expressive sound, new musical possibilities, easy visual navigation, minimal pattern memorization and comfortable playing.

www.marcodi.com

I agree. It kind of reminds me of an autoharp, which is chambered with a real soundhole. But, that's not what this has.

 

[walrus]

Great. Just when I thought I had the F#m7 chord down pat, now this!

walrus

 

[GGJaguar]

"New musical possibilities" with me playing it means "noise".

 

[Nuuska]

"New musical possibilities" with me playing it mean "noise".

Well - if THAT's the music you'll make - you do not need set of drums either - slamming the door and emptying kettle cabinet will do for percussion.

 

[adorshki]

Great. Just when I thought I had the F#m7 chord down pat, now this!

walrus

Try transcribing "Purple Haze" around it. 'At's how I got over my fear of 7ths. I made 'em all 7ths.

 

[walrus]

Try transcribing "Purple Haze" around it. 'At's how I got over my fear of 7ths. I made 'em all 7ths.

Ah, "Purple Haze" and the famous "Hendrix chord"!

https://www.guitartricks.com/blog/hendrix-chord-jimi-hendrix-songs

walrus