Instruments in progressive rock

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by moses
Uilleann pipes

When I read the original post by Woj, that's exactly what came to mind. Iona also uses penny whistels with their flutes, piccolos, and sax. My favorite examples of the use of Uilleann pipes is in the song "Turning Tide/Flight of the Wild Goose" and "Here I Stand." Uillean pipes are slightly reminiscent of geese, so they use them here to do sound painting.

Here I stand looking out to sea
and I say a prayer that the Wild Goose will come to me

Then the Uillean pipes come in. "The Wild Goose" is the ancient Celtic symbol for the Holy Spirit, so the song depicts the Wild Goose falling on Joanne (actually on St. Brendan). If you see Iona in concert, or look at pics, you'll see the giant Wild Goose artwork behind the stage.


Of course, who can forget the harpsichord break in "Siberian Khatru," or it's featuring in "Madrigal"? I also like ethnic percussion and such, as Yes used on "The Ladder" in many tracks.

I can hear a song in my head that uses a didgeridoo, but I can't place it...

Not prog, but what about the theremin in "Good Vibrations"? I'm sure the theremin is used in prog sometimes, but can't think of any particulars. The ethereal Christian band Jabobstone uses theremin frequently, but they are definitely not prog - more like dream pop.

Of course, the use of sitar is great. King's X used it on "Out of the Silent Planet" and "Not Just for the Dead." Adrian Belew used it on Kevin Max's solo album.

Um, that's enough for now...



(Still waiting for someone to do a killer gutbucket solo )