RP Collier Thumb Piano Project
Experimental instruments and adventures in sound exploration since 1975.
Distortion and reverse loops using a kalimba made out of a wooden salad bowl. photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41969054@N00/1337759320/ how-to DIY: http://www.instructables.com/id/EN22NAFF5R8MST9
Independent artist RP Collier Thumb Piano Project drops "salad bowl 1", an Experimental Sounds track on SoundClick. Featuring kalimba and mbira, the production has a distinctive and cohesive sound. The kind of experimental sounds cut that earns its place in a playlist and stays there. "salad bowl 1" has peaked at number 3 on the SoundClick Experimental Sounds chart. Find more from RP Collier Thumb Piano Project on SoundClick, a platform built for independent music discovery.
track made using a faux fur kalimba see video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnuChpEHrGc photos: http://tinyurl.com/24akmz
"Furfur" by RP Collier Thumb Piano Project is an Experimental Sounds production available on SoundClick. The sound is shaped by kalimba and mbira, giving the song its signature feel. An experimental sounds track built for repeat listens — it reveals more with each play. It has charted at #22 on the SoundClick Experimental Sounds chart. SoundClick gives artists like RP Collier Thumb Piano Project a platform to share original Experimental Sounds music with listeners around the world.
short track using a thumb piano made from an Altoid - Curiously Strong Mints tin. There is a photo of the instrument here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41969054@N00/257907748
Independent artist RP Collier Thumb Piano Project drops "altoid jump", an Experimental Sounds track on SoundClick. Featuring kalimba and mbira, the production has a distinctive and cohesive sound. The kind of experimental sounds cut that earns its place in a playlist and stays there. "altoid jump" has peaked at #25 in the Experimental Sounds category on SoundClick. If Jazz, Ambient and Drone is your sound, "altoid jump" is a strong addition to your playlist.
The Uncle Ben can & hairpin piano with heavy distortion. There is a photo of the instrument at http://www.flickr.com/photos/41969054@N00/254464192
"Raw Metal" by RP Collier Thumb Piano Project is an Experimental Sounds production available on SoundClick. The sound is shaped by kalimba and mbira, giving the song its signature feel. An experimental sounds track built for repeat listens — it reveals more with each play. It has charted at #12 on the SoundClick Experimental Sounds chart. Listeners into Jazz, Ambient and Drone will find this track a natural fit within their rotation.
Solo thumb piano clip with an artifact of flutelike harmonics. UFO is the resonator shape, *back* is reversed, *down* is pitch shift. The instrument used can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/41969054@N00/254464189
"UFO back down" is an Experimental Sounds track by RP Collier Thumb Piano Project on SoundClick. The sound is shaped by kalimba and mbira, giving the song its signature feel. The production choices here reflect a genuine understanding of what makes experimental sounds work. It has reached the top 10 on the SoundClick Experimental Sounds chart, peaking at #6. "UFO back down" is part of the RP Collier Thumb Piano Project catalog on SoundClick, where independent artists connect with a global audience.
The songs presented here are made using thumb piano, also known as: kalimba, mbira, sansa, likembe, etc. No samples from other sources are included in these tracks but there is some computer manipulation involved.
The approach is a combination of conceptual and emotional; influences are wide ranging with strong inspiration from Jazz and African music.
Check out the Soundcloud page! http://soundcloud.com/rpcollier
2013 NEW Album!!! Iterations - http://rpcollier.bandcamp.com/album/iterations
2012 Platz - http://rpcollier.bandcamp.com/album/platz
2011 Future in Sepia - http://cdbaby.com/cd/rpcollier6
2010 Reagent - http://cdbaby.com/cd/rpcollier5
with 5 thumb piano tracks.
2008 all thumb piano audio CD: http://cdbaby.com/cd/rpcollier4
and http://www.doncampau.com/lw2007.htm
Tilting@Windmills album can now be streamed at Last FM http://www.last.fm/music/rp+collier
Brand new EP release Deconstruction of Twilight http://cdbaby.com/cd/rpcollier3
Some merchandise to support the Project at http://www.cafepress.com/yapruder
Photo set of experimental thumb pianos at Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41969054@N00/sets/72157594240725240/
Check out the ambient thumb piano videos now up at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/tynego
Album tilting@windmills - is available at CDBABY: www.cdbaby.com/rpcollier
and iTunes:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=30686488
Eight of the tracks that use experimental thumb pianos, several tracks use synthesizer, guitar and toy keyboards. The album and individual songs are available at iTunes and several other online music providers. Reviewed in the June 2004 issue of The Wire (UK) magazine.
Experiments in instrument construction and explorations of sound since 1975.
Free Improvisation, Minimalism and loop-based music, Blues and Jazz. Harry Partch, Brian Eno, Fred Frith, Steve Reich, Chicago Art Ensemble, Keith Jarrett, Elliott Sharp, Hans Reichel. Also field recordings - especially those of Hugh Tracey.