Introduction to Worldstick™ Musical Instruments

By Ross Reaver

Bass Worldstick

Alto Worldstick

Tenor Worldstick

What are we doing and what is the point?

We are creating practical, easy to play, affordable, professional quality, handmade in Norway, three stringed instruments made within a Natural temperament fretting system. These instruments offer many creative options for beginners to professional musicians alike.

What is Natural Temperament and what is the point?

WARNING ! Even though the subject of the temperament of music is important for anyone interested in music to understand, a down to earth explanation has not always been easy to find. I should warn you that if you look further into this vast subject you may become somewhat obsessed with it as I have. So proceed at your own risk or stop now… Good luck and best wishes to you either way.
Ross Reaver

The basic idea here is that today’s predominant equal temperament system of music actually is a fairly recent historical event and
that this may not always be the best and only way to play and listen to music or to build musical instruments. The Equally tempered system uses a compromised ratio between the musical notes which is based an unnatural math formula rather than simply using the naturally occurring natural golden mean overtones and harmonics that are already sounding within each note. The term given by mathematicians to the equally tempering system of music is “irrational music”. This is because there are no harmonic relationships between any of the other notes or overtones. One practical advantage within this system however is that there is an even and cohesive relationship between all the notes and keys which is achieved by placing all the notes slightly out of tune with each other. This convenience allows one the possibility to play in any key without re-tuning. One however will always be out of tune to varying degrees.
This is in contrast with other distinct and characteristic ancient and timeless forms of harmonic temperament such as Just Intonation, Pure Tuning and Overtones Tuning. Within these various systems one is actually in tune with all the geometries and vibrations of sound and of all of universal creation however one cannot easily play in all keys without retuning. Furthermore some of the notes can sound very unfamiliar and odd to our ears which have become accustomed to our western styles of music.

To avoid using the incorrect term I have chosen to simply call the Worldstick fretting system Natural Temperament. In short I will say that this temperament was designed for playing the styles of music which most people are familiar with while at the same time keeping in tune with the naturally occurring overtones that are present within each note. All the notes here are tempered to be as close to the root key as possible which gives the Worldstick an especially grounded and settled sound.

Very interestingly is the fact that almost all of the songs that most people listen to today remain in one key throughout the entire song and so therefore they could be played on natural temperament fretted instruments such as Worldsticks™. There is a difference in the sound and you are welcome to visit or contact us and to check it out for yourself…