In addition to creating the Chapman Stick® instrument, Emmett has also had a career as a performer and recording artist. From 1969 to the present, Emmett has done both solo performances and played with many jazz legends. He has done concert tours playing colleges, and has performed throughout the world. August 2009 marks the 40th Anniversary of Emmett Chapman's unique two-handed tapping method, which connects the musician more powerfully and more intimately to a stringed instrument than ever before. With both hands as equal partners on the fret board, each hand can play independent lines, or the two hands can work in concert to form interlaced arrangements.
The Stick method enables live execution of complete musical concepts, from the bass on through chords and melody, to the effects, ambients and sweeteners, greatly enlarging the musical scope. In 1985 Emmett released a solo album titled Parallel Galaxy. This recording contained ten pieces, some solos and some duets. The album is available on vinyl, cassette and was re-mastered for CD in 1999. The piece Backyard which appears on the album Parallel Galaxy was used in the film Dune. The director's cut of the film shows a decorated Stick painted gold playing the role of the mythical "baliset" instrument described in Frank Herbert's novel. Emmett's recording is what we hear when we see Patrick Stewart play the baliset. In 1987 Emmett released his Hands Across the Board video, which includes a live solo performance of Emmett followed by an interview.
