In My Life

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:05 am

Is that a harpsichord that was used during the middle solo?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:10 am

It's actually an electric piano which is sped up, as I understand it.

apollo11 · Post by **apollo11** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:46 am

Same as I've read, Stan. George Martin played the solo at a slower speed, then sped it up for the finished version.

kenindfw · Post by **kenindfw** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:29 am

My recollection is that it isn't a harpsicord or a piano (at least not a standard piano). You are correct that it was recorded by George Martin at a slower speed and then sped up. I believe he said he couldn't play it fast enough.

Ken

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:55 am

I've heard:
George Martin
Wurlitzer elec.piano
Recorded then sped up

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 7:19 am

It couldn't have been sped up very much, you can hear a strange sound when things are sped up, especially the human voice.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 7:33 am

Bob, the basic tracks, vocals included, were already complete. Martin's sped up part was overdubbed in the final mix. The song was left open at the middle eight originally until a suitable fill could me made, which Martin did a few days later.

ataritoobin · Post by **ataritoobin** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:16 am

It's played on a piano, and is sped up.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:31 am

I believe you guys and I know how it would have been done but I still believe it couldn't have been sped up very much as it would have been noticed.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:37 am

Well Bob, it DOES sound like a harpsichord after being sped up.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:23 am

It was recorded at half speed and played one octave below the desired normal speed playback range.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 12:41 pm

I read that George Martin described it as being played at 33 1/3 rpms and being played back at 45 rpms. That helps us simple minded folk understand it.

wolfgang · Post by **wolfgang** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:28 am

It was played at half speed.
BTW: the electric guitar sounds very nice: who played it, which instrument?

wolfgang · Post by **wolfgang** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:27 am

to answer my own question: it is probably the strat,neck pick up, although I can get the sound with my 325V63, neck pu only, the middle pu. switched off. But there was no middle pu. switched off on John's Miami.
Does anyone hear the sitar note or chord in the bridge after the solo "Though I KNOW I'll never..."?

RutleDirk · Post by **RutleDirk** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:06 am

Sounds like George on the Tenny, to me.