A hands free shaker that allows the user to multi task while playing their instrument. Adding rhythm, texture and color!
So, what is a Thumb Thang? A Thumb Thang is a handsfree, multi-tasking, percussive accessory. Thumb Thang was engineered to be non-weight bearing on your fingers. It's sleek design doesn't affect the mobility or dexterity of your fingers. Thumb Thang has three separate chambers that are filled with different size beads. This helps maintain the balance and gives Thumb Thang its unique sound. The thought, engineering, design and passion that went into creating the Thumb Thang makes it truly one of a kind.
What I like most about the Thumb Thang is that if you have never played an instrument, Thumb Thang makes you feel like you have. If you do play an instrument, Thumb Thang makes it sound better, anyone, anywhere, all the time. It's that simple.
Hi, my name is Ed Bettinelli from Dobbs Ferry, New York. I have been a professional musician my entire life. My world revolves around my studio, "The Art of Drumming." It is here where I offer personal drum instruction, record drum tracks, work on projects, hone my craft and most recently, invent.
For me, a big part of being a musician is the constant quest to lift my playing to the next level. It's an endless trip measured by time spent on the journey. It is because of this quest that I have recently come up with this invention of mine called the Thumb Thang. As a musician I'm always trying to figure out ways to bring more melody, rhythm, dynamics, and texture into my playing. We only have four limbs and our instrument to do this with. Thumb Thang helps me achieve this goal, and doesn't get in the way of me playing my instrument. It's an added sound source, but I don't feel like I'm grappling with something extra. It doesn't inhibit my playing, it enhances it. What started out with an idea, epoxy and duct tape has now become the Thumb Thang.
Why a shaker? When we use a shaker we usually shake it with a 16th note pulse. This 16th note pulse creates a rhythmic grid. Anything rhythmically happening within a song can find a resting point within this grid. In most recordings, if you listen closely, someone is shaking a shaker in the track. What happens is magical and can become hypnotic.
The thought of this invention becoming a contribution to the family of percussion is very exciting to me. This is a world ( the world of music and percussion) that I have saturated myself in since the age of thirteen. I would not be who I am now without this in my life. That being said, I am excited, honored, humbled, and as you might have figured out by now, thrilled that I am this close to achieving this goal, this dream.
With you and Kickstarter, I will be able to get my Thumb Thang manufactured in the USA, distributed in the hands, on the thumbs of everyone, anyone, who wants to "Shake Thumb Thang up." So instead of asking the question, What is a Thumb Thang?, the question will be, Do you have a Thumb Thang?
Thank you for your support!
Ed Bettinelli
I would like thank everyone who has helped in this six year journey. A special thanks goes out to Jack Eleftheriou and Chad Lavigne for their creative direction , and to film maker Ed Nammour for the video production. Ed's insight and conceptual blending of Man and Thang was really Thumb Thang! It was a pleasure working with such professionals (and I don't think I heard one bad note!)
As of May 14th the patent for the Thumb Thang was allowed by the U.S Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO.)
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
219
Backers
$21,250
pledged of $50,000 goal
Funding Canceled Funding for this project was canceled by the project creator on July 31, 2012.
Funding period
Jun 1, 2012 -
Jul 31, 2012
(60 days)
- 2 created · 3 backed
- Ed Bettinelli 640 friends
- Website: edbettinelli.com
Pledge $10 or more
3 backers
A $10 donation gets you a huge thank you, a Thumb Thang wristband and a Thumb Thang sticker. Stick it on your gig bag, locker, books, car, everyThang. Band together and feel powerful spreading the good word about The Thumb Thang [plus postage outside the US]
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $20 or more
114 backers Limited (86 of 200 left)
Early Bird Special! The first 200 people get the Thumb Thang, the sticker, and the ring tone for your $20 donation (it will retail for $30). A win win, you get a savings and you're the first to shake the Thumb Thang. [US shipping included, add $20 for international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $25 or more
19 backers
A donation of $25.00 gets you the Wristband,Thumb Thang sticker and the Thumb Thang. Shake the Thang and spread the word. [ US shipping included, add $10.00 international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $25 or more
13 backers
A donation of $25 gets you the Thumb Thang, a sticker and the ring tone. Come on now, just because you weren't the first at the party doesn't mean you still can't get in! Shake it up, and still get a savings. Did somebody say party? [US shipping included, add $20.00 for international shipping]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $50 or more
26 backers
A $50 dollar donation gets you the Twin Pack. Two ThumbThangs, 2 stickers, and a ring tone. You get to shake it up with one and share the other with some other lucky Thang. [US shipping included, add $20 for international] Est. Delivery: Sept 2012
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $75 or more
2 backers
Great Thangs happen in threes! You and your two best friends get to "shake it up"! Three Thumb Thangs, the stickers and the ring tone. This might be the perfect time to get the band back together? Hey, you never know. Go for it! [US shipping included, add $20 for international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $100 or more
9 backers
Plan A: The Thumb Thang and a one hour lesson. Learn how to use the Thang during a live webcast. Who better to show you the tricks and techniques than the original inventor, Ed Bettinelli. He'll answer all your questions live. Times will be announced on the Thumb Thang website. (Buyers are welcome to come to the Art of Drumming for their lesson by appointment) [US shipping included, add $20 for international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $100 or more
13 backers
Plan B: The classic four pack! Perfect for the double date out on the town looking to "Shake it up" with the Thang. Look, don't make the scene, be the scene with the Thumb Thang, stickers and the ring tone. [US shipping included, add $20 for international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $500 or more
2 backers
Give the gift of music! A donation of $500 will get you twenty Thumb Thangs. Now that you have Thumb Thangs, you might want to give them to the school/music school, summer camp, yoga center, or anythang, or place of your choice . You can smile knowing that the Thumb Thang is in good hands. [US shipping included, add $20 for international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers
Sports/Show pack! A donation of $1,000 gets you forty five Thumb Thangs with school/venue's logo on the Thumb Thang. Games getting close, feeling the win. Show's nearing the end, it's time to shake Thumb Thang! [US shipping included, add $40 for international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
0 backers
Party pack! A donation of $2,500 will get you live music with Ed Bettinelli Band for your house party (within a sixty mile radius of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y) and The Thumb Thang as party favors for up to 30 of your guests. "Shake it up" with blues and soul that rocks the "Thang!" [US shipping included, add $20 for international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers
Plan A: Corporate Thang: A donation of $5,000 gets you live music with the Ed Bettinelli Band for your next corporate party (within a sixty mile radius of Dobbs Ferry, NY), and fifty Thumb Thangs for fifty special Thumb Thang employees at your company.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers
Plan B: Corporate Thang. A donation of $5,000 gets you two hundred Thumb Thangs. Use them for your next business retreat/rally or use them as promotional swag. With your company's name on the Thumb Thang, it's a great way to shake it up biz-wise. [US shipping included, add $100 for international]
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
