It's all Too Much

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:51 pm

I love this song especially Paul's vocal fills at the end. BUT WHAT THE HELL IS THE INSTRUMENT PLAYED AT 2:13!??!?!!? I AM CLUELESS!!!

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:08 pm

Um, linky dinky?

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:12 pm

air guitar?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:36 pm

George is listed as playing "organ" in the session notes. I think perhaps it's a reed harmonium, miked.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:44 pm

It could be. Or it might be the bass clarinet that was superimposed June 2nd, 1967 on the May 25th backing track - The same time the four trumpets were recorded.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:23 am

Sounds reedy and LOOOOOOOOOOW. It smacks of keyboard to me - taking into account both the choppiness of the part, and the fact that it's all at exactly the same dynamic level (most difficult on a wind instrument, even by a world class British musician). What say you, Paul - would a "reed harmonium" have a range extending to a low G1? Never played one mahself.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:49 am

That would leave one wondering where the bass clarinet is in the recording, then. Mark Lewisohn notes in The Beatles Recording Sessions that four trumpets (easily heard on the recording) and a bass clarinet were recorded on June 2nd, 1967. Reedy and low sounds like one to me.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:30 am

I'd have to entertain Kris' suggestion, as well as explore mine, too.

Remember there's always the possibility of changing recording speeds either up or down. This is a processed sound, and my first thought, rather than bass clarinet, was processed oboe or bassoon--it sounds like a double reed instrument. Bass clarinet is a possibility, I suppose.

But,then, consider that it almost sounds like Autotune--the notes don't have the "slidey" quality of a woodwind. They move from one pitch to another quite mechanically.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:02 am

I suppose it could also be a Mellotron, although one isn't listed in Lewisohn's notes for that recording.

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:55 pm

I don't have the CD handy - is it the thing right after the line "take a piece but not too much?" That's a bass clarinet or a tenor sax.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:00 pm

Yeah, that's it, Kenny. Links or references to nail this down for good?

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:26 pm

jingle_jangle wrote:Yeah, that's it, Kenny. Links or references to nail this down for good?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_8M2SbarN0

At 2:13. Bass clarinet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIJxLOaFFlw

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:58 pm

You sure it's not:

or, perhaps:

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:18 pm

The contra sax is AWESOME!!!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:40 pm

Actually, that young man is 1' 8" tall...

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