Rhodes piano

The Rhodes piano (also known as the Fender Rhodes piano) is an electric piano invented by Harold Rhodes. It became very popular in the 1970s. Unlike a regular piano, the Rhodes piano uses thin metal tines that vibrate next to an electromagnetic pickup. The sound travels through a cable to an external keyboard amplifier and speaker.

Harold Rhodes created the piano while teaching recovering soldiers during World War II. After the war, he continued developing the instrument. In 1959, Fender started selling a smaller version called the Piano Bass. The full-size Rhodes piano was introduced after Fender was sold to CBS in 1965. During the 1970s, many jazz, pop, soul, and rock musicians used the Rhodes piano.

By the 1980s, the Rhodes piano became less common because of new polyphonic and digital synthesizers like the Yamaha DX7. In 1987, the company was sold to Roland, which made digital versions of the piano. Harold Rhodes disagreed with these changes. In the 1990s, interest in the Rhodes piano grew again, and Harold Rhodes regained control of the rights in 1997. Even though he passed away in 2000, the Rhodes piano continues to be made, and his teaching methods are still used today.

Features

The Rhodes piano makes sound when you press its keys, just like a regular piano. But instead of strings, it has thin metal bars called tines. When you press a key, a small hammer hits a tine, making it vibrate. This vibration creates electricity that can be sent to an amplifier to make the sound louder.

Some Rhodes pianos, like the Suitcase model, have their own built-in amplifier. They also have a feature called tremolo, which makes the sound wobble a little. The Rhodes piano’s sound is softer and smoother than a regular piano, and it can make a nice “bell-like” tone when played. It is often compared to another electric piano called the Wurlitzer, but the Rhodes has a longer, gentler sound.

History

Harold Rhodes began teaching piano at age 19. He left the University of Southern California in 1929 to teach full-time during the Great Depression. He developed a teaching method mixing classical and jazz music, which became very popular.

During World War II, Rhodes created small pianos from airplane parts to help soldiers recover in hospitals. After the war, he made an electric piano without strings, called the “Pre-Piano” or “Bantam Piano.” In 1958, he partnered with Leo Fender to make more instruments. Fender began making the Rhodes piano in 1965. These pianos became very popular in the 1970s.

Notable users

The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek started using the Rhodes piano when his band formed in 1965. He played special basslines and also used the Rhodes in the studio.

The Rhodes piano became popular in jazz in the late 1960s. Famous musicians like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea used it, especially when playing with Miles Davis. It was also used by Vince Guaraldi for music in A Charlie Brown Christmas, and by Billy Preston during the Beatles' rooftop concert. Many other well-known artists, including Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, used the Rhodes in their music too.