Pink Floyds Keyboard Section

I have been a devoted Floyd fan for years and through a lot of research I have discovered that there has not been a lot of information writen about Richard Wright's keyboards. First of all Richard Wright extremely under-rated, both as a keyboardist and as a writer. Waters has taken a lot of credit for Wright's work on both Animals and The Wall. The Fender-Rhodes electric piano into on Sheep could have never been writen by Waters alone unless he has extensive jazz piano training, which Waters clames he doesn't. I am not here to bash Roger, I think he is a genius, but most critics have over looked the the man behind Floyd's keys. Here is list of keyboards that Rick Wright used. Due to the complex synthesizers of the 80's and today, this list only goes up to "The Wall" (1979) Most (not all) of the Floyd's keyboards used today are digital synths and samplers(ex. Roland & Kurzweil)

ACOUSTIC PIANO - Preferably a Grand Piano. On "Absolutly Curtains" Wright put thumb tacks on the strings. On "Dark Side Of The Moon" the traditional Steinway & Sons baby grand piano is played.
ON ALL PINK FLOYD ALBUMS

FARFISA ORGAN - Wright's main keyboard. Used between 1966-1971. A very psycedelic organ. Mainly used for classical pieces.
PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN
A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS
MORE
UMMAGUMMA
ATOM HEART MOTHER
RELICS
MEDDLE

HAMMOND ORGAN (always played through a Leslie Speaker) - This classic instrument is the only keyboard in nearly all of Pink Floyd's Tunes after 1970, used mainly as an accompaniment. Truly a voice of rock!!
Model (M-102)
ATOM HEART MOTHER
MEDDLE
OBSCURED BY CLOUDS
Model (RT-3)
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
WISH YOU WERE HERE
Model (C-3)
ANIMALS
Model (B-3)
THE WALL

EMS VCS3 Synthesizer - The bands main synthesizer. First appeared on "One Of These Days" The later "suitcase" version the "Synthi-AKS" was used to create "On The Run" and "Welcome To The Machine". Wright's Quadruple tracked the VCS3 to create "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pt.1)", and for (Pt.9) Wright treated it through filter sweeps. The same process was used in the mid section of "Dogs". Also used to create sound effects such as wind & machines.
MEDDLE
OBSCURED BY CLOUDS
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
WISH YOU WERE HERE
ANIMALS

WURLITZER ELECTRIC PIANO - (AKA. Wright's Guitar) Used opposite Gilmour in rhythm sections (ex "Time"). In the song "Money" Wright becomes even more groover when adds a Wah Wah pedel.
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
WISH YOU WERE HERE

FENDER-RHODES ELECTRIC PIANO - Opens "Sheep" Also on such tracks as "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pt.", "Dogs" & "Hey You" A lead instrument a bit more jazzy than the "Wurly".
OBSCURED BY CLOUDS
WISH YOU WERE HERE
ANIMALS
THE WALL

Hohner Clavinet - A Funky bass keyboard. The funky riff behind the eight part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" also used in "Have A Cigar" and "Pigs (Three Different Ones)"
WISH YOU WERE HERE
ANIMALS

SCI PROPHET 5 - Wright's first Polyphonic synthesizer. The main synthesizer behind "The Wall.
THE WALL

whoops
forgot the
ARP SYNTHESIZER (SOLINA IV) - A String synthisizer which was used on "Wish You Were Here" and "Animals". High Timbre instrument, used for the string sections of these albums.
WISH YOU WERE HERE
ANIMALS

I agree that Wright is a very talented keyboardist and is very overlooked in the band. Is this really a discussion topic though?

I agree that Wright is a very talented keyboardist and is very overlooked in the band. Is this really a discussion topic though?

I found it interesting - discussion or no discussion, i'm glad to have read this.

I'm sorry if I made you feel left out anonymous. I didn't mean to make you feel like a fool.

Whoops I also forgot the
MINIMOOG - Which is the lead "Trumpet" sound for "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", "Dogs", & "Sheep"

cool I always wanted to know what Rick was playing, I always just assumed that his keyboards were just synthesisers. Being a guitar player I don't know much about keyboards, especially what the Floyd used, but now I know. Thanks!!! Wherever you are!!1

This information is extremely accurate. I have also done a lot of research and I own a Hammmond B3 Organ (w Leslie 122), a Hohner Clavinet and a Fender-Rhodes. So whoever wrote this did a good job. Well done!!!

This is getting a little confusing with all these Anonymous's. I would suggest maybe registering or at least leaving some sort of signature so people can tell the difference.

Yes - good ideas Radiochair - everyone should please try and register.

Especially if your so into Floyd you know all the Keyboards that Wright played!!

I play Keyboard myself, and piano - but i can't say i have as much equipment as listed above :smile:

I hope to get a Hammond Organ soon though.

Shine On!

That guy sure knows his stuff. However, I feel it should be pointed out that Wright contributed no writing at all to Animals.

That is True, however according to some books that I have read. Gilmour and even Mason say that Waters became very self centered during that '77 era. Remember both Sheep and Dogs came from Raving & Drooling and Gotta Be Crazy. Those two were written during a jam session in 1974, along with Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Most of the Pink Floyd Jamming sessions includes contributions from the entire band. Mind you, Roger did write the lyrics, but the Fender-Rhodes intro to Sheep is too complicated to have been written by Waters!!!

Just a note,

The Pink Floyd Encyclopedia has information on the all the instruments used by each band members during different eras. Very interesting information to have handy.

COOOOL That is very interesting. I am a guitarist myself and I have no idea about keyboards. I know that the Floyd work with a completly different system now then they did in the 70's. I always thought that the Trumpet sound in SOYCD was actually a Trumpet fed through sfx pedals. I had no idea it was a synthesizer. Interesting.