Another Keyboard Post: The Fender Rhodes Piano
August 13, 2023 2:51 PM Subscribe
The Fender Rhodes electric piano was everywhere in the 70's and 80's - and remains popular into the present. Its inventor Harold Rhodes was a piano teacher who during WWII was asked to develop a musical therapy for wounded soldiers recuperating in the hospital. Rhodes designed a small piano that could be played in bed by the recovering patients. It was a successful project, and he continued to develop his design further in the post-war years, first on his own then for the Fender company in the 60's and 70's. Rhodes died in 2001 (NYT obit, non-paywalled link).
The Rhodes piano's sound is generated by felt- or rubber-tipped hammers striking short tuned steel wires rather than strings (YT demo @3:00-3:30), and small pickups mounted near each tine allow it to be connected to an amplifier and played at a volume that can compete with other electric instruments. Musicians in many genres took to it eagerly as an interesting (and more portable!) alternative to the acoustic piano. Its design provides a unique feel and allows players to coax many different sounds out of the instrument. In addition, it could have various effects applied to it just like with electric guitars, giving the player even more tonal options.
There were also competitors with somewhat similar sounds, including the Wurlitzer electric piano and the Hohner Pianet. In the 80's electronic synthesizers stole some of its limelight; nevertheless the Rhodes piano is still an iconic instrument beloved by musicians in many genres, and it continues to be used frequently in both studio and live settings.
Down the Rhodes: The Fender Rhodes Story - Youtube channel of "webisodes" featuring various musicians sharing their thoughts and experiences with the instrument (apparently there was an entire documentary film released in 2011 but I can't find it anywhere).
A nowhere-near-comprehensive listening list, in utterly chaotic order:
(feel free to add to it!)
Billy Joel - Just the Way You Are
Stevie Wonder - I Wish and You Are the Sunshine of My Life (just two of many!!)
Bob James - Angela (theme from the TV show "Taxi")
Elton John - Daniel
Deodato - Also Sprach Zarathustra
Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers - Just the Two of Us
Doobie Brothers - Minute by Minute
Miles Davis - Bitches Brew
Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy
Freddy Hubbard - Red Clay
Alan Parsons Project - I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You
Michael Franks - Popsicle Toes
Steely Dan - Peg (one of many examples)
Ray Charles - Shake a Tail Feather
Pink Floyd - Sheep (only on the first 2 minutes)
Chick Corea - Spain
The Doors - Riders on the Storm (Ray Manzarek is playing a Rhodes Piano Bass with his left hand and a regular Rhodes piano with his right)
Paul Simon - Still Crazy After All These Years (with the incomparable Richard Tee)
Jeff Beck - Freeway Jam
10cc = I'm Not in Love
Eagles - I Can't Tell You Why
Joanne Grauer - Frog Child (fantastic jazz-rock fusion by a musician I'd never heard of before)
Cannonball Adderly - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Brian Auger - Happiness Is Just Around the Bend
Chuck Mangione Quartet - Little Sunflower ( )
The Crusaders - Street Life
Jeff Lorber - Rain Dance
Patrice Rushen (solo starting at ~2:20)
Herbie Hancock - Chameleon (starting at ~8:30)
"Bonus" - Top session musician Greg Phillinganes gives an amazing demonstration using a MIDI keyboard connected to software that emulates many different Rhodes - plus a few Wurlitzer, DX-7, and electric grand - sounds.
The Rhodes piano's sound is generated by felt- or rubber-tipped hammers striking short tuned steel wires rather than strings (YT demo @3:00-3:30), and small pickups mounted near each tine allow it to be connected to an amplifier and played at a volume that can compete with other electric instruments. Musicians in many genres took to it eagerly as an interesting (and more portable!) alternative to the acoustic piano. Its design provides a unique feel and allows players to coax many different sounds out of the instrument. In addition, it could have various effects applied to it just like with electric guitars, giving the player even more tonal options.
There were also competitors with somewhat similar sounds, including the Wurlitzer electric piano and the Hohner Pianet. In the 80's electronic synthesizers stole some of its limelight; nevertheless the Rhodes piano is still an iconic instrument beloved by musicians in many genres, and it continues to be used frequently in both studio and live settings.
Down the Rhodes: The Fender Rhodes Story - Youtube channel of "webisodes" featuring various musicians sharing their thoughts and experiences with the instrument (apparently there was an entire documentary film released in 2011 but I can't find it anywhere).
A nowhere-near-comprehensive listening list, in utterly chaotic order:
(feel free to add to it!)
Billy Joel - Just the Way You Are
Stevie Wonder - I Wish and You Are the Sunshine of My Life (just two of many!!)
Bob James - Angela (theme from the TV show "Taxi")
Elton John - Daniel
Deodato - Also Sprach Zarathustra
Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers - Just the Two of Us
Doobie Brothers - Minute by Minute
Miles Davis - Bitches Brew
Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy
Freddy Hubbard - Red Clay
Alan Parsons Project - I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You
Michael Franks - Popsicle Toes
Steely Dan - Peg (one of many examples)
Ray Charles - Shake a Tail Feather
Pink Floyd - Sheep (only on the first 2 minutes)
Chick Corea - Spain
The Doors - Riders on the Storm (Ray Manzarek is playing a Rhodes Piano Bass with his left hand and a regular Rhodes piano with his right)
Paul Simon - Still Crazy After All These Years (with the incomparable Richard Tee)
Jeff Beck - Freeway Jam
10cc = I'm Not in Love
Eagles - I Can't Tell You Why
Joanne Grauer - Frog Child (fantastic jazz-rock fusion by a musician I'd never heard of before)
Cannonball Adderly - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Brian Auger - Happiness Is Just Around the Bend
Chuck Mangione Quartet - Little Sunflower ( )
The Crusaders - Street Life
Jeff Lorber - Rain Dance
Patrice Rushen (solo starting at ~2:20)
Herbie Hancock - Chameleon (starting at ~8:30)
"Bonus" - Top session musician Greg Phillinganes gives an amazing demonstration using a MIDI keyboard connected to software that emulates many different Rhodes - plus a few Wurlitzer, DX-7, and electric grand - sounds.
This is the keyboard that all the major themes were created for 'Twin Peaks'. It's an old Fender Rhodes, kind of beat up. ...— Angelo Badalementi, as seen on Metafilter in a mix by Nicolas Jaar.
Oh that's it! That's so beautiful! Angelo! Oh that is tearing my heart out!
posted by Nelson at 3:33 PM on August 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
I love that mix. Playing on a well-cared-for Rhodes is an absolute joy.
posted by Doleful Creature at 3:53 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Doleful Creature at 3:53 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
After years of outfits like Vintage Vibe offering new production Rhodes-like electric pianos (along with Clavinet-like keyboards and complete refurb for Wurlitzers), the Rhodes is officially back in production, it seems, with the MK 8.
Sadly, no new Wurlitzers (or Pianets) around. There is (was?) a Brazilian company called Valente offering an electric piano fairly recently that had more of a Wurly vibe to it.
posted by 2N2222 at 4:08 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Sadly, no new Wurlitzers (or Pianets) around. There is (was?) a Brazilian company called Valente offering an electric piano fairly recently that had more of a Wurly vibe to it.
posted by 2N2222 at 4:08 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Hey, Jan Hammer! If you want to see the insides of a Fender Rhodes, on YouTube there are several early 70s concert footages of Mahavishnvu Orchestra where Jan often performed with the top cover of the instrument removed. Here's a clip where you see some naked tines 30 seconds in.
posted by ovvl at 4:08 PM on August 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by ovvl at 4:08 PM on August 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
Incidentally, "The Naked Tines" is the name of my new retro band.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:24 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:24 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Rhodes is officially back in production, it seems, with the MK 8
It sounds great, but it's apparently going for twice the price of a good used MkI or MkII! So they've got an uphill battle unless they can justify the cost by proving the new model is way more maintenance-free than the old ones.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:24 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
It sounds great, but it's apparently going for twice the price of a good used MkI or MkII! So they've got an uphill battle unless they can justify the cost by proving the new model is way more maintenance-free than the old ones.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:24 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
I played a Rhodes in a frequently gigging, sometimes touring band in the early 2000s, and have owned a decent Wurly. These days I use.a Nord Stage II, and would never consider hauling an analog electric piano to a gig. Nobody at a club show can hear the difference. In a studio? Sure, but even then, a Nord is going to be 90-95% there with none of the tuning and maintenance issues.
posted by outfielder at 5:25 PM on August 13, 2023
posted by outfielder at 5:25 PM on August 13, 2023
Anyone know where to find a PDF of "Sit Down and Play" War Department Pamphlet 28-10? It's supposed to include plans for the "Xylette", the piano Rhodes designed to be built in war zones from wood and B-17 tubing.
posted by Marky at 5:38 PM on August 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Marky at 5:38 PM on August 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Knowing somebody who played bass in a band back in the 70’s and 80’s, the Rhodes was really popular then the Yamaha DX7 came out. The Rhodes weighed a ton, required tuning, and the DX7 weighed nothing in comparison, stayed in tune, and it had a Rhodes preset that was good enough for some. The keyboard player in this band traded real Rhodes sound and potential hernia for digital Rhodes simulation.
posted by njohnson23 at 5:49 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by njohnson23 at 5:49 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
These days I use.a Nord Stage II
then the Yamaha DX7 came out
Progress does indeed march ever onward. I have to say, though, I absolutely hated the bright hard gimmicky sound of the DX7 at the time, and I was gratified to see its popularity fade out from overuse within the decade while the original Rhodes sound endures.
I, as an amateur just learning the keyboard, can't afford to spend a lot of money on either a real Rhodes or something like the Nord. I make do at home with a decent MIDI keyboard and a laptop with quite acceptable Rhodes (including EQ/phaser/chorus/amps/etc.) and grand piano emulations. I still want a Rhodes, though, just for the fun of it.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:00 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
then the Yamaha DX7 came out
Progress does indeed march ever onward. I have to say, though, I absolutely hated the bright hard gimmicky sound of the DX7 at the time, and I was gratified to see its popularity fade out from overuse within the decade while the original Rhodes sound endures.
I, as an amateur just learning the keyboard, can't afford to spend a lot of money on either a real Rhodes or something like the Nord. I make do at home with a decent MIDI keyboard and a laptop with quite acceptable Rhodes (including EQ/phaser/chorus/amps/etc.) and grand piano emulations. I still want a Rhodes, though, just for the fun of it.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:00 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
My middle school had Yamaha "student pianos" which were freaking awesome. You played them with the headphones with the curly cable. I can't find much about them, I think they were like, green.
posted by credulous at 6:04 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by credulous at 6:04 PM on August 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
I don't see it above, but always assumed Journey's excellent I'll Be Alright Without You was a serious Rhodes-fest, but in the live version it appears it's being played on something other than a piece of furniture.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 6:50 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 6:50 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Big fan of DX7 frequency modulation synthesis, but that fake Rhodes patch was harsh, it was a toxic blight on those late-80s hit records.
posted by ovvl at 7:45 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ovvl at 7:45 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Anyone know where to find a PDF of "Sit Down and Play" War Department Pamphlet 28-10? It's supposed to include plans for the "Xylette", the piano Rhodes designed to be built in war zones from wood and B-17 tubing.
I first read about that in the 80s, and have searched for decades. It's something of a holy grail. If I had to guess from the single picture and description, I'd say the xylette is far closer to some toy piano mechanisms I've seen than what we think of as a Fender Rhodes.
After a while, I came to the conclusion it would probably be more fruitful to construct something more along the lines of a Hohner Pianet, which is to say more like a thumb piano actuated by sticky pads mounted on simple lever-pivot keys. As such, it's been at the bottom of the pile of projects for years.
posted by 2N2222 at 8:03 PM on August 13, 2023
I first read about that in the 80s, and have searched for decades. It's something of a holy grail. If I had to guess from the single picture and description, I'd say the xylette is far closer to some toy piano mechanisms I've seen than what we think of as a Fender Rhodes.
After a while, I came to the conclusion it would probably be more fruitful to construct something more along the lines of a Hohner Pianet, which is to say more like a thumb piano actuated by sticky pads mounted on simple lever-pivot keys. As such, it's been at the bottom of the pile of projects for years.
posted by 2N2222 at 8:03 PM on August 13, 2023
Big fan of DX7 frequency modulation synthesis, but that fake Rhodes patch was harsh
Honestly removed from the context of its overuse in that era the DX7 Rhodes rules, too, but it’s a different thing, it doesn’t really substitute.
posted by atoxyl at 11:00 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Honestly removed from the context of its overuse in that era the DX7 Rhodes rules, too, but it’s a different thing, it doesn’t really substitute.
posted by atoxyl at 11:00 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Actually I’m under the impression that the DX7 EPiano is inspired by the sound of the Dyno-My-Piano modded Rhodes, which got popular in the late 70s.
posted by atoxyl at 11:10 PM on August 13, 2023
posted by atoxyl at 11:10 PM on August 13, 2023
35 years on, my back still remembers the Rhodes we used to haul to gigs. Good times, but I can't say I'm completely sorry they're gone.
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 2:03 AM on August 14, 2023
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 2:03 AM on August 14, 2023
My favorite version of On Green Dolphin Street is solo Rhodes. Such a lovely vibe.
posted by She Vaped An Entire Sock! at 3:40 AM on August 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by She Vaped An Entire Sock! at 3:40 AM on August 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
Marky, check your MeMail.
posted by wenestvedt at 4:01 AM on August 14, 2023
posted by wenestvedt at 4:01 AM on August 14, 2023
Is this a Fender Rhodes?
Ramsey Lewis Trio - Summer Breeze
posted by clawsoon at 5:13 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ramsey Lewis Trio - Summer Breeze
posted by clawsoon at 5:13 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've lugged a Rhodes up and down multiple flights of stairs in Manhattan, on and off chartered river boats. Nowadays on stage, I use the Nefertiti Rhodes patch on my Nord Electro, and for tracking keys in my home studio, the Waves Electric 88 plugin.
High-quality samples are one thing, but you still can't match the feel of sitting down at a real Rhodes and playing.
posted by emelenjr at 5:19 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
High-quality samples are one thing, but you still can't match the feel of sitting down at a real Rhodes and playing.
posted by emelenjr at 5:19 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
I prefer the real Rhodes, and have mixed feelings about that DX7 EP sound. I love FM synthesis, though my preference is more for the lo-fi, OPN/OPL chip stuff (Sound Blaster and Sega Genesis) or going over to modular synths. But that sound was on everything all of the time for a while, and it was overused and worn out. It's still kind of oddly charming when used in the right song though.
That sound sold a ton of DX7s and might have changed synth history.
posted by Foosnark at 5:43 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
That sound sold a ton of DX7s and might have changed synth history.
posted by Foosnark at 5:43 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Wow the Mk 8 is $10k. That’s wild. You can get an extremely nice (used) upright piano for that much. Guess i’ll stick to the patch on my roland
posted by dis_integration at 6:10 AM on August 14, 2023
posted by dis_integration at 6:10 AM on August 14, 2023
The Fender Rhodes will always be synonymous in my mind with Steely Dan.
posted by tommasz at 7:56 AM on August 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by tommasz at 7:56 AM on August 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
My favorite version of On Green Dolphin Street is solo Rhodes.
I've been following Marcin Grochowina for a while now. A ton of great content on their channel! I love the no-nonsense no-chat approach.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:01 AM on August 14, 2023
I've been following Marcin Grochowina for a while now. A ton of great content on their channel! I love the no-nonsense no-chat approach.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:01 AM on August 14, 2023
Dosh was a great one man band who toured with a Rhodes and other things a while back. He may still be touring, not sure.
He played the Rhodes with drumsticks directly on the times occasionally, you can see it in this video.
posted by jonbro at 11:19 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
He played the Rhodes with drumsticks directly on the times occasionally, you can see it in this video.
posted by jonbro at 11:19 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
I forgot to mention this earlier, but if you're still jonesing for more Rhodes after finishing the listening list above, the Never Enough Rhodes blog provides more Rhodes than humans should be allowed to experience!
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:20 AM on August 15, 2023
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:20 AM on August 15, 2023
Just a quick reminder for anybody who has gone a few years since trying to lift one: 54 notes: 60kg (132 lbs)
73 notes: 80kg (176 lbs) 88 notes: 100kg (220 lbs). Plus an amp. Wise guitar players, bass players and vocalists would offer to help carry the drummer's stuff instead. Still better than moving an upright piano however!
posted by rongorongo at 9:54 AM on August 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
73 notes: 80kg (176 lbs) 88 notes: 100kg (220 lbs). Plus an amp. Wise guitar players, bass players and vocalists would offer to help carry the drummer's stuff instead. Still better than moving an upright piano however!
posted by rongorongo at 9:54 AM on August 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
Or a Hammond B3 with Leslie cabinet (425 and 140 lbs, respectively). I was in a band with that guy, and all of us had to wrestle that thing into and out of gigs. It sure sounded glorious, though.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:25 AM on August 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:25 AM on August 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
If I wanted to mess around with these sounds, are there any decent free VST plugins people can recommend?
posted by indexy at 12:47 PM on August 15, 2023
posted by indexy at 12:47 PM on August 15, 2023
The free ones I've tried were ok but not great - they were Rhodes-adjacent but didn't sound authentic to me. Waves 88 is $36 and worth it, but the one I settled on was Scarbee EP-88s.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:05 PM on August 15, 2023
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:05 PM on August 15, 2023
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