Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565

Bach toccata and fugue played on the chapman stick by Bob Culbertson. The chapman Stick invented by emmett Chapman is a 12 string touchboard. Tapping the strings into the frets creates enough vibration to be amplified. See my site stickmusic.com and Emmett;s site www.stick.com for more information about the Stick. and the music.

[@retskni]

You do have to admire the 39 people who gave this a 'thumbs down.' To let the world know how ignorant they are of genius and mastery is pretty ballsy. This music was written by a musical genius and rendered here most artfully by a master. Thank you, "Dr" Bob, for sharing your magic. You inspire.

[@Hippie-r4g]

To the thumb downers,first... Have you ever even seen aChapman Stick B4? Second,you 40 or so....your taste is in your ass... Well done Maestro!

[@ayooooo541]

What a nice time it was back then to see dislikes

[@austinthornton3407]

39 out of 8.4k is probably the error rate, ie pressing the wrong button.

[@DavidBostock-ti2fv]

​@@austinthornton3407 That's just 8.4 thousand who don't know Bach's Tocatta And Fuge is not a jazz composition.

[@titohhh420]

Those 39 people recognized how bad his timing was. It was pretty good, but needs polishing.

[@kylewoodard5347]

This piece often gets a strange wrap but you have to remember it was written as a love song. Both this instrument and the wonderful rendition help to bring this piece out of the "creepy organ song" context and highlight the love that was put into it. Wonderfully done

[@DharmaMidget]

This is the kind of video that deserves millions of views. Just beautiful.

[@Salafrance]

The wishful thinking of a sad little guy who gets his jollies from being a (very small) cock on the internets.

[@DharmaMidget]

Dildo Shwaggins Thus isn't Grinder. I'm not interested in your micropenis.

[@TheRocknrollmaniac]

come on people its dildo schwagins he never was a good troll

[@Gene63]

As an organist, I find this a wonderful version of one of my favorite pieces to play!!! Thank you for this video. I am amazed at what you do with your fingers and some strings. It took me 3 keyboards and pedals to achieve this!!!

[@KaplaBen]

Bach: organs look weird in 2017

[@burraldo]

Bravissimo!!! You are the best chap-stick I've ever watched! Congratulations, man! ❤👍👍🎸🎸🍻🍻

[@jimbarrofficial]

I know this has been around for a while, but it's an amazing rendition. Sounds almost harpsichord-like due to the string percussion and timbre.

[@brentenglish2592]

I think I first heard this recording 13 years ago and it still makes my eyes damp.

[@jockojohn3294]

I like his version of the pieces. Lots of people are sticklers for playing exactly what's on a page, but I like the player to put his spin on it, because it make the piece come alive. Nice.

[@blueyedboymrdeath]

A person who has raised the level of artistry on a relatively new instrument like this is worthy of a Macarthur fellowship, IMHO & FWIW.

[@randymarkley5634]

I just imagine JSB seeing this performance. The unusual instrument, the interpretation, I can’t image he’d not be fascinated and very pleased.

[@bananadogs5]

This is AMAZING!!! I love Bach! I am 69, am getting ready to buy my first Chapman Stick. I live in a small town in Central Texas and will have to teach myself. I taught myself to play guitar when I was 16 on an $8 guitar I bought in Juarez by listening to Peter Paul and Mary 78 & 1/3 long playing vinyl records....

[@lucinhapisarro4272]

Parabéns 👏🏼 Isto que é determinação 😅 Sempre é tempo de aprender Deus te abençoe e guarde 🙏 Leia João 3:16 Um abraço 😉 de quem ama uma boa música 🎶 🎵 Lucinha Pisarro Campinas São Paulo Brasil 🇧🇷 Congratulations 👏🏼 That's determination 😅 There's always time to learn God bless you and keep you 🙏 Read John 3:16 A hug 😉 from someone who loves good music 🎶 🎵 Lucinha Pisarro Campinas São Paulo Brazil 🇧🇷

[@smf2914]

I'm blown away. Really, bravo. I've never seen the stick played like that. I just did a search for Chapman Stick and I was intrigued by your entry. Watched the whole thing. Simply amazing. Thanks, you made my day. Peace. Scott Fitzgerald, Quincy, IL

[@jonah3936]

this came up when i was searching for baliset music (you know, like from Dune) and honestly this is exactly what i picture when reading. cool stuff.

[@jpfitness]

Very night... I have never heard of a "Chapman Stick" before clicking on this link and I am glad I did. Great fugue!

[@_datacorrupted-3750]

My mind can't find a logical reason why anyone would dislike this.

[@jorgemartin5093]

They are deaf RIcky Martin fans...what you can expect from them???

[@jacobsargent6183]

Australians trying to like.

[@nikolatesla248]

Very Nice! Classical Music truly is the best!

[@Whitefox-pc7lp]

I'm sorry about what Westinghouse and the government did with your work.

[@eightieslou]

I stood in front of you for about 1/2 hr watching you play at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival. If I could have stayed all day, I would have. Amazing is not even adequate enough to describe your talent.

[@curbowman]

I do agree that Mr. Culbertson is one of the greatest stick players out there. He is the kind of person who extends the boundaries of what can be done and open new paths to the rest. Way to go!

[@shaun-ography]

dont know if its because of the song but it has the timbre of a harpsichord almost.

[@loffe9]

Believe it or not, that's what it was written for originally, although most recordings are on Pipe organ

[@dkelzenb]

Philip Hodkinson Whatever gave you that idea? Some believe it was originally conceived for violin, but it has a fully obbligato pedal part, so the version we know is almost certainly for organ, although there is always a chance that it would have been played on a pedal clavichord. Please don't pontificate on subjects you know little about, based on some half-read or half-remembered liner notes you saw several years ago.

[@loffe9]

David Kelzenberg Who's got up your nose mate. Chill out and don't pontificate unless you know what you're on about. Go to Leipsig read the book. I read harpsichord. That is alll!

[@emilianomediterraneo3514]

Philip Hodkinson Well said, Philip. I don't know why but it's almost unbelievable how people discharge they aggressivity in... youtube!

[@shaun-ography]

what I want to know is how that quickly became about what it was wrote for. I said the Chapman stick sounds like a harpsichord. It could have been wrote for a harmonica, that wouldn't change anything :/ crazy people on this planet.

[@lonely270]

Its amazing how your interpretation sir makes this sound so jazzy sometimes. I'm totally mind-blown.

[@iwatchsomevideos]

One of the best and simplest yet expressive tones used to cover this song, imo. Bravo

[@animalityyy]

Amazing instrument, amazing performance... !!!!!!!!!

[@sariellemederholm8858]

Wonderful preformance and interpretation by Mr Cullbertson. I have never heard of this instrument before and it has a Wonderful tone that reminds of both the citar, cembalo, lute and elctrical guitar. I hope to hear more Bach from Mr Cullbertson in the future.

[@johncharlillo5538]

Masterful! Beautiful! Made me cry. Great rendition of this BAROQUE classic.

[@noone-t8y]

Bob is a national treasure. His skills are as developed as they get. When Emmet Chapman himself acknowledges Bob as the best there is…fwiw, his guitar chops would leave most accomplished maestros take notice.

[@retskni]

Eddie Van who?!! Mr Bob you rock!! Thank you for morphing this work of a musical genius into something truly extraordinary. You have skills. Wow. Now, please excuse me while I pick my jaw up from the floor.

[@alunepps4272]

I was just thinking similar. EVH and thus man. THAT would be something to get me a doctor about!

[@chaosopher23]

@ToddHolcombGuitar : I tend toward blues and rock, and the glissando is a natural part of my playing that goes there anyway. It feels as if a glissando belongs with strings.

[@fireiron123]

i appreciate the people that take time to learn these types of instruments.

[@max25236]

As a bassist, this to me breaks the barriers given to the stereo typical bassist.

[@Flemmingdoerken]

Truly outstanding Bob.

[@stefanwessel6092]

Womderful. What a well spent 8 Minutes. I can only imagine the practice time that you had to put in this adaption. Marvelous! Greetings from Vienna!

[@dc4019]

The fugue piece was all was my favourite classical price. Robert really gave it life with the chapman stick. BRAVO!

[@Anonymoose]

Magnificent! You always amaze me, Bob, with the music that you and the Chapman Stick can produce.

[@Mike4metal]

So Amazing! Still Remember Your Performance in SF Ghiradelli Square! Very Impressive!!✨

[@Raulenriquedd]

Amazing! beautiful tone, beautiful entonation, feeling, everithing!! congratulations!!!!!

[@freemancrouch]

Have been listening to your Beatles tunes, and been thinking that the Stick was like a baroque instrument, and I'd love to hear some Bach... and this just popped up! So, thank you for doing this. It seems to lay so well on the instrument. I hope you had fun with it. Bach and the stick seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly!

[@TheFolksinger]

Wonderful music and wonderful performance. We are all enriched and encouraged. Five stars is all we can give?

[@Cooliefuse28]

Classical Music on a Chapman Stick? This is awesome.

[@JamesIreland]

It starts out absolutely remarkable and just gets better and better. OMFG

[@FMATS1]

What a joy… the wonder of the human intellect. This man is a treasure; his skill and musicianship is a shining example for all. I know the difficulty in memorizing long and difficult pieces of music… and he has mastered this. His interpretation of this classic is masterful, for the mixing of all the parts into a coherent whole.

[@U2WB]

This is so brilliant that it’s staggering. I am totally in awe. I have been playing guitar for 58 years and have been considering trying a Chapman Stick, but the learning curve seems daunting. Watching you, Sir, has me wondering whether I could ever hope to master this instrument. Your performance on it is as far away for me as guitar once was when I was 8 years old.

[@YaxisX]

That is so beautifully done Bob Culbertson. I am happy to see you performing.

[@dekewave]

Wow, just totally wonderful Bob.

[@donalddodson7365]

Fantastic! Creative use of a truly new instrument (circa 1971) and a truly classic Bach piece (~1704~1750). Well performed. Thank you!

[@ianskeggs5294]

The skill and the tanisity is musical, Thankyou

[@mandopiano]

Bob, another amazing performance! If Bach had a Stick, I think he would've performed this piece on it, given his love for the clavichord. Thanks for another great creation!

[@dapzolwilly7716]

bonjour à vous... c'est magique !! autant dans le classique que dans la pop, cet instrument que je découvre ( & que vous maîtrisez magnifiquement ) est vraiment magnifique !! BRAVO

[@JohnNepovietz]

Bob, that was just incredible.

[@dweb823]

I've loved this Bach masterpiece ever since my college roommate, a music major and incredible organist played it over and over on the campus organ. I've heard it played on the organ at the Cathedral of Lund, Sweden and by orchestras, but have to admit this rendition is right up there with the best of them. Had never heard of a Chapman Stick until now. Great platform for this magnificent Bach composition.

[@quinxx12]

First time seeing this awesome instrument and suddenly flabergasted by your skill, master :)

[@nailujh]

Look for Guillermo Cides if you like

[@andres-iz4zq]

guillermo are so great, tony levin too but diferent

[@lughlongarm76]

This is so excellent it makes me think Bach wrote it for the Chapman Stick. It just sounds... right. I love it.

[@jameswcollett]

So precise and sensitive. Wonderful!

[@mattaustin4]

My favorite pipe organ peice that absolute brilliant justice was done to..........Thank you...........

[@rineric3214]

Yes, I have ALWAYS been flabbergasted by your skill, but my special thanks for doing the Toccata And Fugue in Dm!

[@Thisisparadoxalstudios]

First time I actually danced to Bach's music ! Soul touching :)

[@djroeable11]

Saw and heard this guy play today on Pier 39 today......amazing, no tricks just talent.

[@NightOwlAmbient]

Very nice. It shows the expressive, organic sound you can get from a Chapman stick. I think I'll bookmark this so I can listen to it again.

[@asmodevsluxuria]

Amazing, simply amazing. specially the fugue

[@superdog797]

Culbertson is probably the best living player for Chapman Stick, but I'm wondering what we will see in the future when children adopt the instrument from age 5 and play for lifetime like they have with piano and guitar for hundreds of years now. Hard to imagine what someone like Mozart would have done with this sort of instrument.

[@johnsmith1474]

Is Trey Gunn dead? Better than this by far very good but rather insensitive and square player, and that was 25 years ago in King Crimson. Could only be that much better today. www.allmusic.com/artist/trey-gunn-mn0000022134/biography

[@christopherkerns639]

This is perhaps the finest versions of this masterpiece I have ever had the privilidge of hearing! A true treat for the ear and a joy to the heart! Thank you! Keep the classics alive!

[@johnsmith-ch7fg]

Very different interpretation - the chapman stick can produce some lovely clean sounds and some good bass - great playing.

[@stone9.098]

Best Chapman Stick player alive! You, Bob Culbertson are The Master!

[@MrMarwanKhalifa]

thank you very much for sharing. Great playing. I dont know this instrument but like the sound. Much respect to you and all your beloved ones. Merry christmas.

[@andybrown2006]

I remember seeing you when I used to sell tie-dyes at festivals. I saw you a few times at the show in Occoquan, VA. We talked about the chapman stick and music in general. I still have some of your CD's. Glad to see you still playing. Such a fantastic talent on a remarkable instrument

[@johneck4639]

Beautiful and super-impressive! Thank you

[@DSizzle7]

Excellent... A fine show of both musical talent...

[@dunderola]

Awesome as always, Bob ! Outstanding performance.

[@SuperGuitarjim]

I saw Bob and his Stickband play in Ca. back in the 80's. He rocked the stick back then. He had some very interesting guitars;-) The guy is amazing!

[@MajorMeowmers]

Saw him play at Pier 39 in SF this weekend, this guy is an absolute total complete Beast! Super nice guy and probably one of the best musicians if not the best musician I've seen with my own two eyes! Such a huge repertoire and he played it all day long flawlessly!

[@gmarkroberts2649]

Beautiful, simply beautiful.

[@TheTrogolizer]

Bob. I know the likelihood of you seeing this comment is slim. but your rendition of this piece has affected me very positively. I want to thank you for turning me into an aspiring Stick player. I want to be able to reproduce such beautiful classics and originals on such a unique and brilliant instrument.

[@chrono0097]

These músics should be considered genius.. They are genius... Simply amazing

[@marcelogregoriollanos7587]

Asombroso, extraordinariamente Musical!!!. Gracias por vuestro Arte!!!

[@bc78260]

So very beautiful. Thank you, Mr.Culbertson.🙂

[@mikkiflynn7510]

I got to meet you when you played at my college. DeAnza college in CA. 1992. It was a pleasure to meet you and I have been in love with the Stick ever since then. Amazing instrument.

[@gaetanoilari8039]

Robert culberson meraviglioso,uno strumento completo una esecuzione eccellente sarebbe bello uno spettacolo in Italia.

[@harmonkeyfokker]

Ahhhhhh Bach!!! Good God what have I been missing? It was just yesterday that I discovered you ( and the Chapman stick). Today I am a devotee! Spanish style, Bach, Little Wing or Blues it doesn't matter -- your virtuosity is apparent and awe inspiring. And I can see why someone with your talent would be drawn to such a wonderful axe. 10 stars! ( 5 for each hand)

[@pr0llyn0t]

I imagine people who master this instrument are very artistic beings, very well done!!!

[@Anymodal]

This is ridiculously good!!!! Amazing!!

[@tonyanthony550]

Amazing work! Truly mesmerising.

[@MichaelBLevi]

That was incredible Bob.

[@AbdelHamadan]

Sublime. Bravo et Merci.

[@rungej]

I saw you in San Francisco earlier this month playing out in front of the hard rock cafe. I was visiting there from South Dakota. You're such an inspiration man.. Amazing sounds come out of those fingers!!

[@doughsnakes]

Really nice. I have always been intrigued by the stick. This makes we want one.

[@Gorbyrev]

Beautiful and wonderful - many many thanks.

[@TheABYSSCINIAN]

Beautiful playing of a classic piece of classical

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

That is a GREAT piece of arranging!

[@idshanks]

@fightdude123able It's called a Chapman Stick, one of a myriad of "touch-style guitars". It's designed primarily for tap-style play, and has a bass range and a guitar range. The three main ones I'm familiar with are the Chapman Stick, the Warr Guitar (my favourite tonally), and the Mobius Megatar. The touch-style adaptation of the guitar-style instrument allows for a much wider possibility of music on one instrument.

[@neftalilopez]

Bob,there`s no words to describe how I enjoy your interpretation on stick,it inspires me to continue my own quest.Thanx for it,light and blessings from Mexico.

[@wetigaz]

I love that sound. beautiful acoustics too

[@pingpong5000]

Bravo Mr Culbertson a splendid performance. I have only today become aware of the Chapman Stick‬ and to hear Bach played so well gives me pleasure. I believe there is a bit of full circle here because the playing technique makes it sound like a Clavichord which I am sure Bach would be very familiar with. Thank you sir.

[@dbeierl]

No, it was pure coincidence that he wrote a series of pieces called The Well-Tempered Clavichord. ;-)

[@evgeniydubovoy7127]

Few hours away (not from, but for my life).. Thank you, as much as i can: you play it beside yourself. Masterpiece, mentaly. As Mr Telesheshev. Sorry for my.. angular english - greetings from Russia. With all hope and best wishes

[@bobculbertson]

Thank you for listening. All the best to you!

[@evgeniydubovoy7127]

​@@bobculbertsonmy first comment, and.. reply, that i did not expect. I really hope that you already enjoy... If not

[@robertnewman668]

Fascinating to listen to and watch, brilliant,.thank you

[@psychotikpaisano]

After the years I keep coming back to this masterpiece on strings, thanks for sharing this with us Robert!

[@justintuttle1133]

What an amazing performance. Well done. My God!

[@Hazy777]

Excellent performance, thank you very much.

[@MrRobsworld6]

That looked grotesquely challenging! Excellent job!

[@seandaniels7319]

Amazing music my brother. Simply amazing

[@Marianofrv]

amazing instrument and performance thank you