Prominent rock/pop use of uncommon instruments
Jales
pop/rock context) in solo parts. I need them to be clearly audible, as
examples to show how each of them sound. Suggestions are welcome, and
better still if we can trace when each of them was first used.
So, here’s my list:
- Piccolo. I think there’s a piccolo on Ye Olde Toffee Shoppe by The
Hollies
- Flute. I know the Moody Blues used it, and obviously Jethro Tull,
but any song before that?
- Alto flute. Was it ever used?
- Clarinet. There are several songs by Supertramp featuring clarinet,
but before that?
- Bass clarinet. Maybe Brian Wilson used it....
- Oboe. I think Ray Thomas from the Moody Blues did play the oboe.
Rainy Days And Mondays by the Carpenters, I think it's an oboe on the
ontro
- English horn. The only song that comes to my mind is Bright Eyes by
Art Garfunkel, but it must have been used before
- Bassoon.
- Contrabassoon.
- French Horn. For No One by The Beatles, Pictures Of Lily by The Who
- Trumpet. Penny Lane (piccolo trumpet) by The Beatles. Anything on a
standard trumpet from the 50s or early 60s?
- Trombone. Anything before James Pankow?
- Tuba. There’s a song on the Evolution album by The Hollies (I can’t
remember which one right now) featuring a Tuba solo
- Bagpipes. Mull Of Kintyre by Paul McCartney
- Recorder. The Fool On The Hill by The Beatles, Ruby Tuesday by The
Stones, Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
- Kazoo. Corporal Clegg by Pink Floyd, Cool Calm And Collected by The
Stones
- Sitar. Norwegian Wood by The Beatles, Paint It Black by The Stones
- Melodica. Claustrophobya by the Bee Gees
- Harmonium. We Can Work It Out by The Beatles
- Harpsichord. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) by The Beach Boys
- Theremin. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
- Banjo.
- Mandolin. It’s been used many times (Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull,
etc.)
- Ukulele.
- Dobro.
- Harp. She’s Leaving Home by The Beatles, Love Of My Life by Queen
- Violin. Don’t Pass Me By (fiddle) by The Beatles. There must be a
better example on violin.. something more melodical
- Viola. Is the solo on Baba O’Riley (The Who) played on viola?
- Cello. Daisy Jane by America
- Double Bass. Anything played with the bow?
- Timpani. Every Little Thing by The Beatles
- Steel Drums. Carrie Anne by The Hollies
- Glockenspiel.
JohnB
Jethro Tull also used a celeste on one of their early songs.
Arcade Fire use a hurdy gurdy, don't know if it gets a solo.
ELO used cellos and possibly double bass, check 10538 overture which
includes some solo lines.
Ronnie Lane used dobro on some of his solo stuff (check Bye And Bye,
We're Going To See The King).
I'm sure the Bonzo Dog Band used a musical saw!
Rod Stewart used Lindisfarne's mandolin player on Maggie May.
I don't suppose harmonica is unusual enough.
Didn't David Bowie use a stylophone on Space Odditty?
How far back are you prepared to go? George Formby used the uke and
banjo-uke on several pop sings in the 40s. There must have been many
others.
Other instruments you may find if you search far enough: jaw's (or
Jew's) harp; accordion or concertina; tubular bells (oh, that one's a
bit obvious :-)?
ermitano
>
> - Mostrar texto de la cita -
the beatles used many of the orchestra instruments in sgt. pepper and
magical mistery tour. a day in the life, strawberry fields forever and
i am the walrus are good examples.
the theremin used by the beach boys is not a real theremin, it has an
horizontal position and keyboard drawn on it.
Jales
> Jethro Tull also used a celeste on one of their early songs.
> Arcade Fire use a hurdy gurdy, don't know if it gets a solo.
> ELO used cellos and possibly double bass, check 10538 overture which
> includes some solo lines.
> Ronnie Lane used dobro on some of his solo stuff (check Bye And Bye,
> We're Going To See The King).
> I'm sure the Bonzo Dog Band used a musical saw!
> Rod Stewart used Lindisfarne's mandolin player on Maggie May.
> I don't suppose harmonica is unusual enough.
> Didn't David Bowie use a stylophone on Space Odditty?
Thanks a lot for the information.
> How far back are you prepared to go? George Formby used the uke and
> banjo-uke on several pop sings in the 40s. There must have been many
> others.
I'm trying to confine the list to pop/rock from mid 50s onwards. Now,
as I'm writing this, I seem to recall Buddy Holly did use some unusual
instruments, I think even a celesta on Everyday...
> Other instruments you may find if you search far enough: jaw's (or
> Jew's) harp; accordion or concertina; tubular bells (oh, that one's a
> bit obvious :-)?- Ocultar texto de la cita -
>
It'd be great to search for as many different instruments as possible,
but I'm afraid it would make a LONG list....
Jales
> the beatles used many of the orchestra instruments in sgt. pepper and
> magical mistery tour. a day in the life, strawberry fields forever and
> i am the walrus are good examples.
> the theremin used by the beach boys is not a real theremin, it has an
> horizontal position and keyboard drawn on it.- Ocultar texto de la cita -
>
Yes, I know. But I'm looking for examples where the instrument plays a
melodic line and is clearly distinguished...
6sicks...@gmail.com
IIRC Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day is my all time favorite
"how many non-conventional" instruments can you fit in a rock song and
not have it suck" type song.
I believe you'll hear vibes, sitar, accordian, bells (or a
glockenspiel) ANOTHER accordian or perhaps a concertina and of course
flute. Somehow it all works too.
LookingGlass
>
> I’m compilig a list of songs that feature unusual instruments (in a
> pop/rock context) in solo parts. I need them to be clearly audible, as
> examples to show how each of them sound. Suggestions are welcome, and
> better still if we can trace when each of them was first used.
But no hurdy-gurdy appears in the recording of HURDY-GURDY MAN. Go
figure.
BlackMonk
"Jales" <jale...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:882fb88d-547a-4e0b...@g23g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
I�m compilig a list of songs that feature unusual instruments (in a
pop/rock context) in solo parts. I need them to be clearly audible, as
examples to show how each of them sound. Suggestions are welcome, and
better still if we can trace when each of them was first used.
So, here�s my list:
- Flute. I know the Moody Blues used it, and obviously Jethro Tull,
but any song before that?
The Blues project, most notably.
- Alto flute. Was it ever used?
Isn't the solo in California Dreaming an Alto flute?
- Clarinet. There are several songs by Supertramp featuring clarinet,
but before that?
Stan Bronstein played on on Yang Yang from Approximately Infinite Universe
- Oboe. I think Ray Thomas from the Moody Blues did play the oboe.
Rainy Days And Mondays by the Carpenters, I think it's an oboe on the
ontro
"It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" by the Move.
- Trumpet. Penny Lane (piccolo trumpet) by The Beatles. Anything on a
standard trumpet from the 50s or early 60s?
There was a trumpet player in Sonny Burgess' band when he was on Sun.
globular
> I�m compilig a list of songs that feature unusual instruments (in a
> pop/rock context) in solo parts. I need them to be clearly audible, as
> examples to show how each of them sound. Suggestions are welcome, and
> better still if we can trace when each of them was first used.
>
>
> - Piccolo. I think there�s a piccolo on Ye Olde Toffee Shoppe by The
> Hollies
> - Flute. I know the Moody Blues used it, and obviously Jethro Tull,
> but any song before that?
> - Alto flute. Was it ever used?
> - Clarinet. There are several songs by Supertramp featuring clarinet,
> but before that?
> - Bass clarinet. Maybe Brian Wilson used it....
> - Oboe. I think Ray Thomas from the Moody Blues did play the oboe.
> Rainy Days And Mondays by the Carpenters, I think it's an oboe on the
> ontro
> - English horn. The only song that comes to my mind is Bright Eyes by
> Art Garfunkel, but it must have been used before
> - Bassoon.
> - Contrabassoon.
> - French Horn. For No One by The Beatles, Pictures Of Lily by The Who
> - Trumpet. Penny Lane (piccolo trumpet) by The Beatles. Anything on a
> standard trumpet from the 50s or early 60s?
> - Trombone. Anything before James Pankow?
> remember which one right now) featuring a Tuba solo
>
> - Bagpipes. Mull Of Kintyre by Paul McCartney
> - Recorder. The Fool On The Hill by The Beatles, Ruby Tuesday by The
> Stones, Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
> - Kazoo. Corporal Clegg by Pink Floyd, Cool Calm And Collected by The
> Stones
> - Sitar. Norwegian Wood by The Beatles, Paint It Black by The Stones
> - Melodica. Claustrophobya by the Bee Gees
>
> - Harmonium. We Can Work It Out by The Beatles
> - Harpsichord. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) by The Beach Boys
> - Theremin. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
>
> - Banjo.
> etc.)
> - Ukulele.
> - Dobro.
> - Violin. Don�t Pass Me By (fiddle) by The Beatles. There must be a
> better example on violin.. something more melodical
> - Cello. Daisy Jane by America
> - Double Bass. Anything played with the bow?
>
> - Timpani. Every Little Thing by The Beatles
> - Steel Drums. Carrie Anne by The Hollies
> - Glockenspiel.
>
How about the instrument in Did You Ever Have That Feeling by The
Standells? I think it's a balalaika.
Herjo
A guy named David Cross was the violin player for King Crimson from
1972-74
Nil
rec.music.beatles:
> I�m compilig a list of songs that feature unusual instruments (in
> a pop/rock context) in solo parts. I need them to be clearly
> audible, as examples to show how each of them sound. Suggestions
> are welcome, and better still if we can trace when each of them
> was first used.
The '70s progressive rock band Gryphon made extensive use the crumhorn.
What's a crumhorn, I asked? The answer is:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crumhorn>
I have a Gryphon album, and I have to say that, based on that evidence,
I won't be sorry if I never hear another crumhorn.
Jales
> - Tuba. There’s a song on the Evolution album by The Hollies (I can’t
> remember which one right now) featuring a Tuba solo
It's Water On The Brain
Daave
> I�m compilig a list of songs that feature unusual instruments (in a
> pop/rock context) in solo parts. I need them to be clearly audible, as
> examples to show how each of them sound. Suggestions are welcome, and
> better still if we can trace when each of them was first used.
>
> So, here�s my list:
>
> - Piccolo. I think there�s a piccolo on Ye Olde Toffee Shoppe by The
> Hollies
> - Flute. I know the Moody Blues used it, and obviously Jethro Tull,
> but any song before that?
Rockin' Robin by Bobby Day from 1958.
ermitano
the solo in "Runaway" by Del Shannon, features a Musitron, an electric
clavioline.
Lizz Holmans
On 'Live at the Earl of Old Town' album by Steve Goodman, David Amram
is credited with percussion on several songs. His instrument was
cheek-popping.
Lizz 'and pennywhistle' Holmans
--
Whatever happened to linoleum floors, petroleum jelly and two world wars?
http://www.fannation.com/blogs/show/826793-cricket-she-wrote
Jales
> Isn't the solo in California Dreaming an Alto flute?
Yeah, it does dound like an alto flute! Thanks
The Walrus was Danny
> - Banjo.
Stop Stop Stop by the Hollies. Twas a top twenty single. It's great as
well.
Danny
Jales
by the Stones). Anything on vibraphone? (a rehersal take of I'm Only
Sleeping on Anthology 2 is the only example that comes to my mind)
BlackMonk
> On 6 nov, 22:35, "BlackMonk" <BlackM...@email.msn.com> wrote:
>
>> Isn't the solo in California Dreaming an Alto flute?
>
> Yeah, it does dound like an alto flute! Thanks
>
This might not count if you only want more pop-oriented examples, but
there's a lot of bass clarinet on Trout Mask Replica, also some soprano sax
and musette. Kaleidoscope (US version) used several unusual middle eastern
string instrumentsas well as fiddles.
MikeLawyr2
Ocarina.
AllaBest
> > How far back are you prepared to go? George Formby used the uke and
> > banjo-uke on several pop sings in the 40s. There must have been many
> > others.
The ukelele was used in George Harrison's "Between The Devil and The
Deep Blue Sea" also.
Mack A. Damia
Tiny Tim played the uke. From *Laugh In*:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skU-jBFzXl0
George Gobel played the uke, too, but I can't find anything with him
playing.
But one of the great spontaneous comedy moments in history on the
Johnny Carson's Tonight Show with George, Bob Hope and Dean Martin.
Listen for the reference to a tuxedo shortly after he sits down, and
watch Dean Martin play jokes on him:
--
mad
The Walrus was Danny
> The ukelele was used in George Harrison's "Between The Devil and The
> Deep Blue Sea" also.
..and Free as a Bird.
Danny
Nil
in rec.music.beatles:
>> The ukelele was used in George Harrison's "Between The Devil and The
>> Deep Blue Sea" also.
>
> ..and Free as a Bird.
That's actually a banjo uke. Different from a regular ukulele in that
it has a skinned drumhead face like a banjo, rather than wood. So, it's
either like a uke with a banjo body, or a banjo with a uke neck,
depending on which way you want to look at it.
The Walrus was Danny
> > ..and Free as a Bird.
>
> That's actually a banjo uke. Different from a regular ukulele in that
> it has a skinned drumhead face like a banjo, rather than wood. So, it's
> either like a uke with a banjo body, or a banjo with a uke neck,
> depending on which way you want to look at it.
Like the one George Formby used to play.
Danny
Jales
> That's actually a banjo uke. Different from a regular ukulele in that
> it has a skinned drumhead face like a banjo, rather than wood. So, it's
> either like a uke with a banjo body, or a banjo with a uke neck,
> depending on which way you want to look at it.
Is it the one used by Brian May on Bring Back That Leroy Brown?
Jales
wrote:
You're right... it's a good example
Jales
> - Violin. Don’t Pass Me By (fiddle) by The Beatles. There must be a
> better example on violin.. something more melodical
The Hollies on Stop Right There... It seems they were experimenting
with a lot of instrument around this time.... maybe it was an Abbey
Road thing ;-)
RichL
Well, not the same one, but the same type of instrument!
He also used it when he wrote "Good Company" but substituted an ordinary
ukelele for it on the recording.
Frank from Deeeetroit
> I’m compilig a list of songs that feature unusual instruments (in a
> pop/rock context) in solo parts. I need them to be clearly audible, as
> examples to show how each of them sound. Suggestions are welcome, and
> better still if we can trace when each of them was first used.
>
> So, here’s my list:
>
> - Piccolo. I think there’s a piccolo on Ye Olde Toffee Shoppe by The
> Hollies
> - Flute. I know the Moody Blues used it, and obviously Jethro Tull,
> but any song before that?
> - Clarinet. There are several songs by Supertramp featuring clarinet,
> but before that?
Listen to anything by the Duprees from the early 60's, lots of
clarinets.
> - Bass clarinet. Maybe Brian Wilson used it....
> - Oboe. I think Ray Thomas from the Moody Blues did play the oboe.
> Rainy Days And Mondays by the Carpenters, I think it's an oboe on the
> ontro
Lot of stuff by Sting and his Blue Turtle Band. Branford Marsellis
(spl)
> - English horn. The only song that comes to my mind is Bright Eyes by
> Art Garfunkel, but it must have been used before
> - Bassoon.
> - Contrabassoon.
> - French Horn. For No One by The Beatles, Pictures Of Lily by The Who
> - Trumpet. Penny Lane (piccolo trumpet) by The Beatles. Anything on a
> standard trumpet from the 50s or early 60s?
> - Trombone. Anything before James Pankow?
Her Royal Majesty by James Darren, Tower of Strength by Gene Chandler
> - Tuba. There’s a song on the Evolution album by The Hollies (I can’t
> remember which one right now) featuring a Tuba solo
>
> - Bagpipes. Mull Of Kintyre by Paul McCartney
> - Recorder. The Fool On The Hill by The Beatles, Ruby Tuesday by The
> Stones, Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
> - Kazoo. Corporal Clegg by Pink Floyd, Cool Calm And Collected by The
> Stones
Johnny Get Angry (forget the female artist), Crosstown Traffic, by
Hendrix, and a Ringo song from his first solo album (forget the
title).
> - Sitar. Norwegian Wood by The Beatles, Paint It Black by The Stones
> - Melodica. Claustrophobya by the Bee Gees
>
> - Harmonium. We Can Work It Out by The Beatles
> - Harpsichord. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) by The Beach Boys
> - Theremin. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
>
> - Banjo.
Squeeze Box by the Who.
> - Mandolin. It’s been used many times (Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull,
> etc.)
> - Ukulele.
Threetles at the end of Free As A Bird
> - Dobro.
Allman Brothers - Little Martha and others. Doobie Brothers used
dobro on some of their deep cuts in the 70's.
> - Harp. She’s Leaving Home by The Beatles, Love Of My Life by Queen
> - Violin. Don’t Pass Me By (fiddle) by The Beatles. There must be a
> better example on violin.. something more melodical
> - Viola. Is the solo on Baba O’Riley (The Who) played on viola?
> - Cello. Daisy Jane by America
> - Double Bass. Anything played with the bow?
>
> - Timpani. Every Little Thing by The Beatles
Allman Brothers on stage
> - Steel Drums. Carrie Anne by The Hollies
> - Glockenspiel.
Buddy Holly on Every Day, borrowed from his high school band.
Jales
wrote:
> > - Timpani. Every Little Thing by The Beatles
>
> Allman Brothers on stage
>
Yeah, and also I remember Roger Taylor did some timpani improvisation
on stage...
Jales
> Wild Thing.
>
> Ocarina.
Good one!! A pretty unusual solo!
Christopher Ashby
> I’m compilig a list of songs that feature unusual instruments (in a
> pop/rock context) in solo parts. I need them to be clearly audible, as
> examples to show how each of them sound. Suggestions are welcome, and
> better still if we can trace when each of them was first used.
>
> So, here’s my list:
>
> - Piccolo. I think there’s a piccolo on Ye Olde Toffee Shoppe by The
> Hollies
> - Flute. I know the Moody Blues used it, and obviously Jethro Tull,
> but any song before that?
> - Alto flute. Was it ever used?
> - Clarinet. There are several songs by Supertramp featuring clarinet,
> but before that?
> - Oboe. I think Ray Thomas from the Moody Blues did play the oboe.
> Rainy Days And Mondays by the Carpenters, I think it's an oboe on the
> ontro
> Art Garfunkel, but it must have been used before
> - Bassoon.
> - Contrabassoon.
> - French Horn. For No One by The Beatles, Pictures Of Lily by The Who
> - Trumpet. Penny Lane (piccolo trumpet) by The Beatles. Anything on a
> standard trumpet from the 50s or early 60s?
> - Trombone. Anything before James Pankow?
> remember which one right now) featuring a Tuba solo
>
> - Bagpipes. Mull Of Kintyre by Paul McCartney
> - Recorder. The Fool On The Hill by The Beatles, Ruby Tuesday by The
> Stones, Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
> - Kazoo. Corporal Clegg by Pink Floyd, Cool Calm And Collected by The
> Stones
> - Melodica. Claustrophobya by the Bee Gees
>
> - Harmonium. We Can Work It Out by The Beatles
> - Harpsichord. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) by The Beach Boys
> - Theremin. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
>
> - Banjo.
> etc.)
> - Ukulele.
> - Harp. She’s Leaving Home by The Beatles, Love Of My Life by Queen
> - Violin. Don’t Pass Me By (fiddle) by The Beatles. There must be a
> better example on violin.. something more melodical
> - Viola. Is the solo on Baba O’Riley (The Who) played on viola?
> - Cello. Daisy Jane by America
> - Double Bass. Anything played with the bow?
>
> - Glockenspiel.
I think there's a glockenspiel in maggie may as well, if you listen to
some of the later verses
ermitano
in the 70s, several bands used gongs on stage, like Queen or Led
Zeppelin