Watcher of the skies intro, alternative Mellotron sounds

Another performance of the well-known Genesis track played on the Mellotron M400 with different sounds — it's a mix of the classic 3 Violins and the Pipe Organ which adds the lower octave to the mix. Different to the cello, which has the same function, but the organ is much more "deep". I have not much use for the sound, but combined with the strings it works very well. Adding a large reverb and it's a wonderful alternative to the brass/violin sound that Tony Banks used.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Genesis
• Watcher
• of
• the
• skies
• Mellotron
• vintage
• gear
• progressive
• rock
• Tony
• Banks
• Foxtrot

[mellotrongirl]

There are times when you run right up to the eight-second mark on those tapes, eh?!??!!

[Thomasooo2003]

@mellotrongirl

Should I have increase the tempo of the intro? :-)) But I guess you're right, some notes last close to 8 seconds. And the tapes are older than 35 years...

Greetings

[hawklord75]

how do you learn how to play the intro to watchers or any of the famous Tony banks mellotron numbers ?

[Thomasooo2003]

I learned "Watcher" by sheet music (found it somewhere on the web, but the first two chords are not absolutly correct...). The other two tunes I found out by listening to the record over & over again ;-))

[willregnier]

I'm trying to find a keyboard/synthesizer that can produce realistic mellotron sounds... Can anyone help me?

[ahioud]

simply the most majestic sound. no wonder progressive rock bands adopted it.

[framzoid]

lol....ashamed....naw....heck,­that pales in comparison to finding a Mini-Moog in a whatnot shop in Florida for $50.00....always on the lookout!

[BynWreetsmart]

@framzoid Are you not ashamed?!

[JohnLRice]

Cool! I had to start playing the drum part on my desk where you left off at! ;-)

[FoxtronInk]

Mellotron makes a dramatic sound hard to make it with other synths.

[lollygaggle]

@M400fan Thanks, that's really helpful.

[M400fan]

Yep - its Bmaj7 with F# in the bass, followed by G# 2nd inversion (C#FG#), holding the F# in the bass. Then Bb then F# 1st inversion (CD#F#) then G# 2nd inversion (C#FG#) then G then C then F# 2nd inversion (A#C#F#). Next bit is too complicated to recall from memory but that should get you started!