What Instrument Is It?

[alphseeker]

Greetings, fellow Yes fans!

This question actually arose on Rush message board (most of us are also pretty keen on Yes, y'know), so we thought we should consult the experts.

In the beginning of "Close To The Edge" there is a sound that starts around 1:22 and continues through roughly the first three minutes of the song. It sounds something like ... well, little crystalline spiders scrabbling about on piano wires!!!

Does anyone happen to know what instrument was used to create this sound?

We're assuming it's the work of Wakeman ... but what is he playing exactly? Some kind of early synth? A mellotron? A harp? Is it a tape loop? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! -Alphseeker

[Sheerah]

As a non musician, in my mind's ear, it is the sounds of the rainforrest. Birds, a waterfall, nature singing her song.

[PO]

Great question.

Inhale ...

That is what I recall. A close listen will reveal an attack that was common to those old RMI's. It's been a long time since I've played one. A big however, though. Since the TFTO tour, I have seen him play this part mostly on the Hammond C3 organ, and twice on another keyboard.

His Hammond sound can be created by pulling a 4' drawbar all the way out, and then playing in the apprpriate register. Listen to his riff that goes with the guitar during Siberian Khatru verses. This is the sound he used live many times for the part you asked about in CTTE.

So, it could be the Hammond double-tracked with a bit of RMI. But live he usually used the Hammond C3 alone.

...exhale

Rick, feel free to add any comments!

Paul

[alphseeker]

Sheila and Paul,

Thanks for the responses! I think Paul's got it with the electric piano. Hmmm, I'd be truly amazed though if this sound was produced by a Hammond. Of course, if someone's going to amaze you, it's likely to be RW. Plus, I know absolutely nothing about keyboards.

In case anyone else cares to comment, I should clarify which sound I'm talking about a little better:

At first we hear the nature sounds, accompanied by soft keyboards and some chimey percussion. Then they go into an instrumental intro section, and after an extra-long drum roll (around 1:20) this sound begins. It's not a melodic sound, in fact it's rather chaotic, though it seems to repeat (which is why I mentioned tape loops). If you heard this sound by itself on movie soundtrack, it would indicate that someone was going insane, or that a swarm of ants was about to appear. It's most easily distinguished around 2:02 to 2:05 - just guitar, hi-hat, and spiders!

[PO]

Yea, it is tough to figure out what instrument is doing it from the studio version since none of us were there! But this was also during a time period where there weren't as many keyboards available. So I came to my conclusion based on what I've heard, seen, and played.

The tone aspect can certainly be created by a Hammond, but the attack of the tone is the spoiler!

The actual part being discussed is actually a variant of the bass part in that section. Rick did have a "sequencer" at that time but they were very crude. I doubt it was used for this, as to this day he still plays the part.

If I saw a cover band play this and they were using the Hammond sound I mentioned, I would give them a Pass on a Pass/Fail basis. Besides, Rick did it this way.

Here is Rick's equipment list from that period. The caveat is that the studio is a wide-open variable!

• Custom built Hammond C-3 Organ
• RMI Electric Piano & Harpsichord
• Frequency Counter
• Custom Mixer
• 2 x Mini-Moog Synthesizer
• Mellotron 400-D (Vocals/Sound Effects/Vibes)
• Mellotron 400-D (Brass/Strings/Flutes)
• ARP Synthesizer

On stage, he would also have a baby grand piano.

[Sheerah]

Originally posted by paostby
Great question.

Inhale ...

That is what I recall. A close listen will reveal an attack that was common to those old RMI's. It's been a long time since I've played one. A big however, though. Since the TFTO tour, I have seen him play this part mostly on the Hammond C3 organ, and twice on another keyboard.

His Hammond sound can be created by pulling a 4' drawbar all the way out, and then playing in the apprpriate register. Listen to his riff that goes with the guitar during Siberian Khatru verses. This is the sound he used live many times for the part you asked about in CTTE.

So, it could be the Hammond double-tracked with a bit of RMI. But live he usually used the Hammond C3 alone.

...exhale

Rick, feel free to add any comments!

Paul


Oh Paul, I just love it when you talk technical like that...........

[PO]

I know what you want, baby. Candlelight, rose petals, bath oils, and 64-voice polyphony, multi-timbral keyboards with polyphonic aftertouch!

[alphseeker]

Ha! Okay, then. To be honest, Paul, I wasn't sure we were talking about the same sound, so I was trying to find a polite way of saying "No, I'm not talking about a Hammond part". Now however, I'm persuaded that we're on the same page, and if you say you saw Mr. Wakeman perform this on an organ, then all I have to say is WOW!!!

Oh, and yes, you're right about the "spiders" following the bass line - not quite as chaotic as I made them out to be. In fact there's a little snippet at the end where they quite clearly double a change in the melody, indicating that, as you say this is probably not sequencing (or a tape loop).

Thanks again for the great technical info!