What is a laptar?

Welcome eh’rybuddy, and welcome tuh myself.  This blog is about laptars.  What is a laptar, you say?  Well, I’ll take a first stab at a definition: “A laptar is a dedicated tapping stringed instrument that is played horizontally across your lap or on a stand with the strings facing towards the sky.”  Something like that…sure that definition will change over time.

Who makes ‘em?  Who plays ‘em?  The first example of this instrument that I am aware of is the Steinberger String Console by Ned Steinberger.  He made one or more prototypes in the early 80’s, and Fred Frith used it on some Bill Laswell albums between 83 and 85.  I’ll be digging up more information on this soon.  Sadly, the Steinberger String Console never became a production instrument.

In the early 90’s, Mark Warr began creating prototype laptar’s before being persuaded to create instruments that hung in more of a guitar like manner.  As far as I know, Warr Guitars never produced a production laptar.  However, Trey Gunn began experimenting with this style of playing by putting is Warr Guitar on a keyboard stand.  There was a video of this on youtube, but I can’t find it anymore. (Anybody have a link?)

In the past year or so, a few manufacturers have begun offering production instruments in this style.  Each has their own variation.  The first production laptar was the 12-string Mobius Megatar LapTapper.  This instrument closely follows the design of other Megatar’s, except for posts that are sculpted into the neck and body to provide support and attach it to the base.  The instrument’s standard tuning is in two sets of ascending fourths, with the bass set closest to the player. 

A Belgium company headed by Jan Van Kelst makes the 9 string Kelstone.  They also make an 18 string version called the Double Kelstone.  The Kelstone is tuned in a single set of ascending fourths.  The Double Kelstone adds a second parallel Kelstone, but with a reversed orientation, so the pitch of the nearer Kelstone ascends as the player moves to the right, and the pitch of the second Kelston ascends as the player moves to the left.  The description sounds confusing, but go to the sight and check out the pics.

 

The Oakland Axe Factory also makes laptars.  They even call them laptars. (Woohoo!) Their laptar designs so far have consisted of double region 10 string string instruments with 4 bass strings and six guitar strings.  These are the most pocket friendly laptars I have seen, aside from laying a regular guitar down in your lap.  This is a good place to start if you’d like to try out the concept but can’t afford the other instruments mentioned so far.

Marcodi, out of Baltimore, MD, just introduced the harpejji d1 at the end of 2007.  This instrument is a bit different than the others, and takes the guitar-for-keyboard-players concept to the next level.  Unlike the other instruments, on the harpejji, the player’s fingers are perpendicular to the frets.  The instrument has 24 strings that are tuned in ascending wholetones from left to right.  In addition, the fret marking system borrows from the keyboard convention with accidentals in black, and natural notes marked in white.  The combination of fretboard orientation, tuning, and fretboard marking are particularly well suited to keyboardists, or those who are looking to play more closely voiced chords.  Jordan Rudess, keyboardist for Dream Theater, is currently experimenting with the harpejji and has posted some clips on youtube.

 

 There is a budding community of laptarists and other tap guitar players and builders over at Tappistry.org.  The site is an excellent resource.

Know of any more laptar manufacturers?  Send me a link.  Interested in finding out more about this instrument?  Stay tuned.

Best wishes from the Bucket