Bob James - Angela (Theme from Taxi) on Fender Rhodes

[MrInternet69]

very cool!

[JoeyPencils]

some really nice stuff man...love this song to death

[077mrwoodbury]

brings back child hood mem...  good job.

[TooManyDreams]

What's the name of this keyboard?

[djbelc01]

@TooManyDreams Rhodes electric piano, sometimes branded under the Fender Rhodes name, sometimes not depending on the year it was manufactured.

[funkystx]

Awesome sound and fine playing! Any chance on doing a tutorial for this tune?

That would be highly appreciated!

[analyzingfunny]

Well, that was nice.. i d like to hear more of that. wanna record?

[masterlee123]

That good. A+

[briancoyne]

Nice selection! I haven't heard that song since I was a kid. Thanks and keep jammin! -Brian

[robertzdar]

I'm desesperately looking for the piano score of this song (even if I have to pay to download it). Maybe by guitar pro or something like that. Do you have an idea ?

Thanks a lot for that

[paulallen34]

@robertzdar i have it in a book do you want a copy.

[fretless57]

Very well done! Nice posting. The Rhodes sounds remarkably well considering its age.

[stixx2000]

I am SO feeling this.

[flyinghighoverthesky]

Great song, but it's not in Sync.

[gmholt2008]

this so breath taking. i can fall asleep to this music :-)

[LazyRockers]

Awesome :)

[Trevorweaver]

Beautiful!

[mysticradio]

the sync is off.. can you fix it?

[mahadevaji]

amazing. thanks

[AstroandyQQM]

Nice rhodes! looks like its in amazing condition

Im getting mine for christmas this year

[Seattlecarnut]

I've always love this piece of music. Awesome music.

[paintballkidd07]

Try not to take your left hand off of the keyboard. It looks better plus your just not suppose to

[janjohnlee]

smooth

[georgemargaris]

hit the keys harder sometimes. I wanna hear the rhodes twaaannngggg

[djbelc01]

That growl when you really get on it when playing a Rhodes is superb. It just doesn't really fit this song. Check out some of my other videos where you'll hear that sound more.

[Microshrimp]

I love this song. I wish I had a Rhodes and I wish I could play!

I sometimes search for Fender Rhodes videos, and I've run across this one several times over the past year or so, but I just realized that you are in KY. I live in Lexington and am always happy to see fellow Kentuckians on here. :)

[sleinad]

Could you maybe to another one with better synchronization? I'm poor at reading music and think I'd learn better watching which keys you're playing. It's hard to do so with the video being behind the audio stream.

[nickstoli]

GREAT JOB!

[xscb69az]

just saw bob james in colorado..awesome and you play it well!

[bajajuan]

So nice, U have a great touch dude.

[shomala]

nice! love this song, i listen to it on some mournings when the days looking nice. i think i'll play this video next time i feel like this song

[landyachtfan79]

I just LOVE the Fender Rhodes! One of the most soothing & relaxing sounding instruments that I have ever heard in my life!

[cbmuzik]

it's nice, but you need to play more bass notes with your playing to give it a more full sound. I may post a vid on my reendition of this song using full chords...but nice work.

[djbelc01]

No argument here. This was one of the first things I taught myself when I got a Rhodes, and it's far from correct or even good, especially since my left hand playing abilities were severely lacking then. Unfortunately, nobody else on Youtube had tackled the song at the time. Love to see what you could do with it.

[DNBJerk]

No soul.

[djbelc01]

You have to have some talent first before you can convey any soul. Again, I'm not a very good piano player, especially in this early clip when I was first learning. I should hope my more recent clips are better.

[TAPDADA]

shame about all the harsh comments here, first off your recording sounds really nice, and the rhodes looks and sounds in great condition. Your playing is slightly stiff but its not half as bad as what people are saying, sounds reasonabley accurate and tight, its nice, could do with abit more bass but otherwise its great stuff

[Peacefrog35]

You did a great job... some people are just plain rude. I loved it...

[Rubikdoobie]

this rif .., it's a Fluke... I dont thing god ment to give us a grooooove that Deep ., it should be appreiciated; I think there could probley be a lot of work done with that ....

[mikhasw]

Listen to that sole.

[LemonAndYoghurt]

Thank you for taking time to answer my question!

[LemonAndYoghurt]

How long does it take to learn how to play piano or fender rhodes? I have a new obession! I want one!!

[djbelc01]

Everybody's different, and it depends on how you approach it and your dedication. I noodled around on a crappy little cheap Casio keyboard when I was young, so I had a vague sense of scales before I started taking it more seriously in high school, and then in my senior year of college, I bought the Rhodes and really focused on teaching myself chord theory. No formal lessons, but a lot of reading and experimenting. And the nice thing about a Rhodes is that is makes almost anyone sound good!!

[LemonAndYoghurt]

I LOVE THAT SONG!

[MathaeusBech]

Wow wonderful playing! + I'm comment number 100 Yay :D

[oldakustikblues]

nice and smooooth, liked how you put your feel on it, so keep it going

[Regalcourt101]

Thanks for posting this video. Your playing and the Rhodes sound = BEAUTIFUL

[paulallen34]

just fantastic playing really enjoyed watching you play this,id love to get the sheet music of your version.i gave you 5 stars.

[fucu41]

IT was good I just wished i could have heard it flow a little more smoothly, That is pretty cool after 3 years, well 4 now 2008.K

[seniorplayalot777]

So do they make rhodes keyboards anymore?

[Fraym13]

still no bob james, but u have undeniable talent

[bravodangamusic]

real hot. u put ya own twist on it. loved it

[bravodangamusic]

u killed it

[DEEGANJA12]

YOUR VERY TALENTED DUDE

[durolle]

I'd have to disagree. You're butchering one of my favorite songs. Mr. Bob James is the talented one.

[djbelc01]

I should certainly hope that Bob James--a professional pianist--is more talented than me, a guy who's only been playing piano for something like three years!!

[durolle]

I don't think anyone was questioning your certain hopes. But could you please either get the sheet music or have someone show you how to play the song without mistreating it so? Thanks!

[jason007s]

I love that sound!

[charlestonchewy]

"Goodnight Mr. Walters..........UUUUUGH!"

[pianoman1969]

LOL!!!

[vulture711]

Brings tears to my eyes. I just love that Rhodes sound

[roscoegino]

I WANT A FENDER RHODES

[djbelc01]

I can't say that I blame you! Save up pennies and keep an eye on craigslist and the forums at fenderrhodes(dot)com. It's worth it.

[sloth82]

me too :sniff: :(

[AdDd45]

aww did you learn this by ear too?

[djbelc01]

Yes

[AdDd45]

welcome to the club

[lynnvryett]

lol, socks <3

I love this song. Especially since Angela is actually my name. :B You played it really well!

[kargbier07]

the bad thing is that that i really don´t have much money

and that´s also why i´m courious about guitar ones

[djbelc01]

My Fender Hot Rod Deluxe cost me around $600 new, you can find them even cheaper used. It's a middle of the road tube amp, pretty warm tone, decent volume. You can use smaller solid state amps or tube amps, it just depends on what kind of tone you want. I prefer the warmth of a tube amp in general, but even the suitcase Rhodes uses a solid state amp (with a great preamp) to good effect. I have used a $100 solid state Fender amp on my Rhodes before and it sounded OK, just a little muddy.

[djbelc01]

But again, all my advice only holds true for a real Rhodes piano. Your mileage may vary if you're still going to be using a VST Rhodes patch through a MIDI controller. They just aren't the same at all (I hate playing fake Rhodes stuff, no tone or feel compared to the real thing)

[PublicInterface]

...but they're cheaper and take less space, for the rest of us!

[djbelc01]

If you look around hard enough, you can find a real Fender Rhodes in good condition that needs only minor repairs (that can be done with just a little research and buying a couple parts at worst) for less than you can buy a MIDI controller with decent weighted action. My Rhodes cost me right around $200, for example! But yes, they are heavy and take up quite a bit of space.

[fede4real]

gotta get one no doubt if u are into funk jazz its a MUST..for now my shit CASIO will do the thing

[kargbier07]

great sound! really, you´ve got it.

actually i´ve got a question:

which amp do you use for it? or which would recommend? there are too little keyboard amps out there at the moment i think and too many guitar ones ;) there are many who argue strongly against using a guitar one and actually it´s quite strange but someone told me that you could use one quite well. what do you say?

shouldn´t be to expensive though so i think i´ll have got still a long way to go

thank you much

[djbelc01]

The Rhodes actually was designed to be used with a guitar amp, believe it or not! I personally use a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe since I don't need to get it too loud, but there are a ton of options. Check the forums at fenderrhodes(DOT)com for more suggestions, depending on how much money you want to spend, and what kind of tone you want to get. Some amps will give you a darker tone, some a brighter tone, some more bark, some more mellow, etc.

[kargbier07]

pretty cool!

thanks for the reply

would you say you could use guitar amps in general for some keyboards and synthesizers?

I´ve got to buy a amp and don´t know what to do:

i´m using a access virus b as well as a vst mini moog and a vst rhodes at the moment. well, you couldn´t go much more different in what you use playing keyboard what i need is an amp that suits all of them and belive me - even after long resaerches (that took me till 2 in the morning ;)) i don´t know which one. Want a real !;)

[djbelc01]

I don't know a lot about digital pianos/synths/keyboards like that. Your best bet may be to search for forums for items such as those and see if there is any discussion about it. I do know that guitar amps may not be the best fit for them, but I don't know how much of a difference it'd make. However, guitar amps are perfect for a Rhodes.

[MPOURNOUZIS]

please can u tell me oldschool artists that plays deep fender rhodes stuff...

[djbelc01]

There's plenty of them. Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Jeff Lorber, George Duke, Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Joe Sample, and of course Bob James who originally did the song in this clip, just to name a small few. Google them if you don't know the bands they've played in. Enjoy!

[paulc43]

A++++ great ebayer... fast payment..excellent communication...come back anytime

[lilpuppet1992]

cab fare from souls of mischief aka taxi

[DrewAnti1960]

love this tune, great sound

[littlepipandcowbell]

Gotta love that sound.

[gimmeatowel]

wow souls of mischief sampled this on the track cabfare... DOPENESS!!

[kn1ghtstemplar]

Love it,what a sweet sound!

[linadw]

The rhodes sound is sweet. Great performance!

[eboyd32]

wow! you're really good!! keep up the good work!

[AiramS]

that was awesome,gotta love the fender rhodes.

[Penavision108]

this is amazing. the rhodes produces such a captivating sound. thank you.

[mosesx2004]

this is hot man. I've been trying to learn this for years. I heard a different version a few times but this, hottness pure and simple.

[oskidolar]

El tempo no es el correcto.

[remygius]

shut up man!

[Kanvaz]

tu mamma no es el correcto!!!!

[HebrewRage]

Classic Fender Rhodes tune! Thank you.

[googoo50]

Gosh! that was nice... Thanks!

[riceboii101]

may i get the sheet music?

[djbelc01]

I actually do not have sheet music for it. I learned it by ear. I do know that the sheet music for it is pretty common -- you should be able to find it readily with a Google search. Good luck!

[riceboii101]

thanks ive just started learning piano and i ihad to start learning this song after i heard you play it.Love the rich Rhodes sound.

[shalom1973]

Nice! I want to learn it on my harp..........

[coledeluxe]

Oh man... Angela on the Rhodes is so mellow. The feeling is like a musical Xanax. Damn.

[MANILABOY6631]

Hey, this music reminds me of many late night shows specifically Taxi. Those were the years when me and my brother would sit on the couch waiting for shows like these, popcorn and cock in hand . . .

[dvsbstrd]

Unexpected, but lulzy, nonetheless.

[crpederson]

lol funniest youtbe response ever!!!

[DaColt88]

nice playing

[z4rt4n]

Good Job Boy.

[ChubbyCheckerChannel]

Beautiful sounding Rhodes.

[ready4peace]

Thank you so much. I can actually follow his phrasing a lot better now.

[UpFromEden]

Omg, that is fucking gorgeous. Thanks so much for posting! :)

[GaryLaroo]

Better than I could do, brother... that's for ding dang damn sure. I like your socks.

[mikesolejazz]

Its ok, but its just the part, you could've done a little bit in the left hand!

And the beggining is missing, withe the Recorder.

ARGHH!!!

[djbelc01]

You know, I actually used to play the recorder back in elementary or middle school. I'll be damned if I can play it anymore though...

[AKOutback]

Killer Sounding Rhodes man

[realnicoli]

Nice job. That Rhodes is a thing of dreams.

[Matvm]

Pretty cool !!

[silkyv8]

just curious, are you using a MK1 Fender rhodes?

[djbelc01]

Yes, it's a MK I, though technically not a "Fender" Rhodes. It's from 1978, well after they dropped the "Fender" name from the brand. It's one of the later MK I pianos, so it's got that brighter tone similar to a MK II.

[Barefoot26]

Rhodes is the best plug in eva.... but y'all know that tho..... agreed.. nice playing....... Question of the day: if you had to confine yourself to grooving on one octave on the Rhodes, which one? mine would be the lower middle register (middle C and lower to the next C) So much versatility in that region no?

[mikeylefthand]

hy can you tell me what kind of preamp are you using when you play the rhodes ? and by the way nice playin"

[djbelc01]

Thanks. No preamp, I'm running it straight through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp.

[kcutz]

thanx for the sample bro!

[lcvd1]

Nice, very nice! That Rhodes gave me chills!

[Funktionel]

yiiiir.. gotta luv that sweet sweet melodic sound.. i dig man. keep playin dawg.

[hilytrinity]

love it!

[MsTexas73]

Hey good work!

[Moog167]

I would really like a tutorial on this song!

[p3c3]

Beautiful tone! So, it's miced Fender Hot Rod Deluxe? What kind of mic do you use, what is the signal chain? It's incredible how every Rhodes sounds different (even from the same vintage), don't you agree? :)

[djbelc01]

Thanks! Actually, I ran a line out from the amp to my audio interface box. I haven't tried micing this amp before, but I imagine it'd sound pretty good too. But also, I just installed new hammertips this week, and my piano sounds even better now. (Well, it will once I revoice some of the keys where the new hammertips are a little taller than before!)

And yes, every Rhodes sounds different. That's what is so great about them!

[kamesan]

I started watching Taxi b-cuz of this song. there were several gems on the show sdtrk that never made it on album :(

[Perthx]

so fucking sexy!

love this song,great job!!!

[SurfingOnSineWaves]

I love it how you're playing with your socks on.

That's the way I do it too :D

[timrayfield1]

Give us ya keys

[seattlednb]

does anyone know how to find the chord progressions for songs like this?????

[es47]

good work! luv this song!!!!

[trktrt]

Good effort....but you know you missed some notes. Get in the habit of doing it right, no short cuts allowed. Nice Rhodes.

[djbelc01]

I don't have the sheet music for the song -- I learned it by ear. If I didn't play a note, it's because I don't know it.

[trktrt]

I see. I have had to do that on some music too. I think you can still find the sheet music for that piece. But good job, I'm proud of you.

[djbelc01]

Thanks. And yes, there's definately sheet music to be found for it, I might someday bother tracking it down. However, I prefer learning chords and voicing it to my own preference and style rather than playing straight off sheet music, so we'll see how much that actually changes! :)

[CygnusRoc]

Nice keyboard sound. Yes there is sheet music for it, sometimes you can find an arrangement of it in a jazz piano book. That's where I got my hands on one.

[nightmarepolice]

Nice stuff! :) Reminds me of the 80's era.

[logosthedestroyer]

Watch your head on the way out...

[lightmyfir3]

love that sound and omg you can never go wrong with a rhodes

[thecubeofjason]

I love this theme song

[smitty195]

Way cool dude! I love this tune. Bob James---Touchdown!!!

[pianoemoo]

wow, good :D

[saturos13]

Thats gangsta man awesome!

[djbelc01]

Thanks again everyone  :)

[JellyBean2144]

OMG!! That was awesome. Flawless performance. ^5.

[zedek3147]

I don't have the cash. Plus I have two monsters keyboards with full upgrades already. I tweaked and edited my Motif enough to come very very close. I was just jokin about it, it's not that serious. I do miss the Fender though. The feel of it, ya know?

[djbelc01]

Exactly why I had to get a real one. No digital piano of any kind comes anywhere close to the feel or a real Rhodes. I personally don't see any sense in getting a digital to replace what a real one can do if it's an option.

[zedek3147]

But everyone should have a Fender Rhodes. :(

No fair.

[djbelc01]

But if I give you mine, then I won't have one! No fair! ;) If you truly are interested in buying one, go to the forums at fenderrhodes(DOT)com, and also keep an eye on Craigslist and possibly eBay

[zedek3147]

Give me your Fender now!!! Send it through the teleport machine. :)

[djbelc01]

Never!  I'm not parting with my baby!! :)

[thomascomis]

what about the "theme from barney miller"? another great super compressed funky fusion tune. those 70's in the TV world were the best.

[djbelc01]

The beginning of that theme is super funky, oh yeah.

[teddyorgan]

this sound like red clay alittle

[zulubeat]

Nice! Can you play Nautilus? It's my all time favorite Bob James break beat!

[djbelc01]

I actually am not familiar with that song.  I only have a handful of Bob James songs.

[blackpowerkid87]

best tv theme ever. you really did it justice man. it actually almost brought a tear to my eye just thinkin about the good days man....

anyway thanks for posting...

[djbelc01]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[BisonAP]

One of the most beautiful TV themes ever made.

Very nice indeed!

[djbelc01]

Thanks. When you hear the full 5+ minute version of the song (or the 7+ minute version on the live album!!), it's hard to believe it's even a TV theme it's so well-constructed.

[24v7v420]

Man, I dig the sound. And I'm stuck with all these VSTi plug-ins that never get it right...

[djbelc01]

I know the feeling. Scarbee Classic Electric Piano is probably the best Rhodes VST plugin, but it's still NOTHING like playing the real thing. Feeling the hammers strike the tines, feeling the tines and tonebars vibrate... save up your money and try to find a real Rhodes on ebay or craigslist -- it's totally worth it!!

[HammondB200]

i'm bob james, bitch

[kazaastank]

ah . How unfortunate . Thanks anyway

[kazaastank]

Hey , any idea where i could get the sheet for this ? Full Bob James version or otherwise .

[djbelc01]

I actually learned what I know of this song basically by ear. What I did in this clip is mostly playing in a C minor scale really.

[veldmaat]

Very, very, nice!!!

[djbelc01]

Thank you :)