Musical Instruments thread

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   The thread I started long ago about the musical instruments commonly used in Prog was closed.
http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=98771&PID=5009357#5009357

But it had ended with a small debate about the "Calliope". Calliopes were small pipe organs used in fairs and by street musicians, and supposedly the calliope was used sporadically in Prog, for example in a short interlude in the song "In the Court of the Crimson King" by KC. There was debate as to whether the instrument used would be some real calliope, some more modern version of them, some sampled sound on a Mellotron or whatever.

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=98771&PID=5174041#5174041

Well, this post is just to confirm that I found the instrument likely used: The RMI Calliope. RMI manufactured several electronic instruments quite widely used in the late 60s and 70s Prog scene, such as the RMI Electra-Piano (a favourite of Tony Banks) or the RMI Keyboard Computer (played among others by Rick Wakeman).

Well, the RMI Calliope was a small electronic organ with several small speakers to which there were attached resonator tubes, providing presumably a decent emulation of a real classic calliope.

Edited by Gerinski - November 29 2019 at 12:09

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Gerinski Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: February 10 2010 Location: Barcelona Spain Status: Offline Points: 5154	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gerinski Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Musical Instruments thread Posted: November 29 2019 at 11:17
	The thread I started long ago about the musical instruments commonly used in Prog was closed. http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=98771&PID=5009357#5009357 But it had ended with a small debate about the "Calliope". Calliopes were small pipe organs used in fairs and by street musicians, and supposedly the calliope was used sporadically in Prog, for example in a short interlude in the song "In the Court of the Crimson King" by KC. There was debate as to whether the instrument used would be some real calliope, some more modern version of them, some sampled sound on a Mellotron or whatever. http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=98771&PID=5174041#5174041 Well, this post is just to confirm that I found the instrument likely used: The RMI Calliope. RMI manufactured several electronic instruments quite widely used in the late 60s and 70s Prog scene, such as the RMI Electra-Piano (a favourite of Tony Banks) or the RMI Keyboard Computer (played among others by Rick Wakeman). Well, the RMI Calliope was a small electronic organ with several small speakers to which there were attached resonator tubes, providing presumably a decent emulation of a real classic calliope. Edited by Gerinski - November 29 2019 at 12:09

Atavachron Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 30 2006 Location: Pearland Status: Offline Points: 65248	Post Options Post Reply Quote Atavachron Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: November 29 2019 at 13:44
	I don't think there's an actual calliope in Mr. Kite but there's a bunch of other stuff like Wurlitzers and pump organs. John wanted the listener to be able to smell the peanuts at a carnival. Did you buy an RMI ? Edited by Atavachron - November 29 2019 at 13:45
	"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy

Gerinski Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: February 10 2010 Location: Barcelona Spain Status: Offline Points: 5154	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gerinski Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: November 29 2019 at 15:28
	Mr. Kite does indeed convey the atmosphere of a carnival, I have read that there might well be some calliope on it, either a real one or sampled, or perhaps some harmonium emulating the calliope sound. And no, I never owned any RMI products.