Ben Stohr
Just me, my laptop, a MIDI-guitar and a Chapman Stick!
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
I've been involved with some form of music since 2nd grade. I learned to play guitar sometime around 13-14 years old. I played drums in the high school marching band. That was about the time I was playing in garage bands and recording 4-track music at home. Learned 12-string guitar and piano (on my own - lot with lessons). Continued to playing in bands after high school. Recorded a few demo CDs. Started playing out with bands and as a solo act. Purchased and learned MIDI-guitar. Still doing all that 10 years later. Ordered my Chapman Stick in 2001. Had an opportunity to travel to Norway and live there for a year. Recorded a CD of MIDI-guitar and Chapman Stick Music. Returned to the United States. I continue to try to build something meaningful while trudging through the daily grind.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I have recently moved to the south side of Orlando. I would like to play out, but I am still looking for places to do that.
Your musical influences
Early on I payed attention to Eddie Van Halen and Metallica. But I learned a lot of guitar on old Beatles tunes, too. I really got into Stanley Jordan and 2 hand tapping on guitar. I grew up listening to Hendrix, Yes, Rush, Pink Floyd and Queen. I think those groups formed my music sensibilites when I was younger. Lately, I like Bela Fleck and John Scofield. I've been getting more and more into the electronic/ computer interaction with my music.
What equipment do you use?
Brian-Moore guitar with built-in MIDI pickup.
10-string Chapman Stick with MIDI pickup on the melody side.
Boss GT-5 effects unit and Roland GR-1 string to MIDI translator.
I use a HP laptop running Reaktor, Reason, Ableton Live, and Max-MSP.
Anything else?
I try to have the laptop enhance my instrument playing without taking over.
There are some sequenced parts, but I try to keep that at a minimum. The software is used to generate backgrounds based on the MIDI output of the instrument I am playing live.
