A Saucerful Of Secrets - Pink Floyd - Richard Wright - Farfisa Compact Duo Organ Part

I am not a keyboard player! I am a guitarist who happens to like keyboards. So much so that when I first heard Pink Floyd's Ummagumma, I decided that I wanted a Farfisa Compact Duo. Like the one on the back of the album cover. I loved what Richard Wright did with it. It's a qurky little instrument but he used it to the full and the combination of Wright's unique style with the Farfisa was such an integral part of the Pink Floyd Sound.
It is a year ago today (15/9/09 BST) since Richard's unexpected death, so here is my personal tribute to him: his own organ piece played on a Compact Duo. It is, after all, a requiem and shows just how important Richard's massive contribution to Pink Floyd was.
Chords for main part: B min, A Maj, E Maj, F sharp Maj, D Maj, G Maj, E Maj, A Maj, F sharp Maj, B min, G Maj, F sharp Maj, E min, D Maj, F sharp Maj, F sharp Maj. Repeat all as necessary ending on B Maj.
Special thanks to alien8ted for filming the event and to Phil Carrington for encouragement.

[@nickhirst999]

My Farfisa Compact Duo is plugged into a little Frontline preamp sitting on top of the organ and then into an Alesis Microverb Mk1. Then the stereo outputs from the Microverb go into a Custom Hiwatt 100 (DR 103) head into a WEM Starfinder 4x12 and a Custom Hiwatt 100 combo. The Hiwatt/ WEM stack is visible on the right and the Hiwatt combo is briefly visible on the left.

[@chrismcbrias8577]

Exelent this I jam along to on my guitar love this version that thanks

[@chrismcbrias8577]

Amazing sound love it

[@tassiogomes]

Me too bro

[@tomlindsay4629]

11 years later, and still one of my most favorite videos on KZbin.

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you! How time flies! I plugged the Farfisa in for the first time for a couple of years the other day. It was a bit poorly! All the switches were dirty and it sounded a bit wheezy. After a while of rocking the switches it perked up a bit with only one note that was out of tune. Time for its service. I'm going to take it to the same technician who has worked on it ever since I first got it in 1988!

[@bryan9587]

Amen, brother. I still come back here from time to time to listen to the sound of heaven. I'm sure I had left a comment here once, many years ago, but I can't seem to find it among 800+ of them. Oh well, long live Richard Wright, and props to Nick again for perfectly playing this masterpiece!

[@dograization]

That organ was installed in every Italian small church in the 70/80, unbelievable

[@nickhirst999]

Well, I didn't know that! I've only been to Italy once and that was Venice in 1983. The only church I went in was St Mark's. Would have been quite amusing if the organ had been a Compact Duo in a cathedral of that size!!

[@dograization]

@@nickhirst999 Well, in a cathedral like San Marco there is a true pipe organ and also an antique one built around 1600. Instead in small country churches there was small electric organs because they were cheap and built in Italy, like the Farfisas. Guys like me were using these electric organs from church for our cover bands of Pink Floyd, genesis, jehtro Tull because sometime the priest let us play some gigs. We used to play the intro of Mr Crowley with one of these

[@TheTarrMan]

Probably one of the greatest prices of music ever written. Every time I listen to it I never want it to end.

[@nickhirst999]

Agreed. I think the whole of the Ummagumma live album is fantastic.

[@mikaelohman5694]

@@nickhirst999 I agree completely! They are genius there, really musicians. I was so impressed when I heard thanks to myu elder brother. spent many nigths in his and my dark rooms with only candles burning and imagine how beautiful space is thansk to this music. Me and my Ukrainian ex girlfriend (she finished it even though she was so in love with me! :-o Women... :-/ ) had a wonderful time when I played this for her, first time she heard it. We stand in the dark in my livinf room, embraced. She said it was the greatest and wonderfulest moment in her life!

[@nickhirst999]

@@mikaelohman5694 It's funny you should say that! I got Ummagumma from my parents for Christmas in 1977 when I was 8 years old and my brother who was 13 got Meddle. We shared a room at the time and used to turn the lights out and listen by candle light. One night we were listening to Ummagumma with a candle in a bottle. Just as the scream started on Careful With that Axe, the candle disappeared into the bottle, plunging us into darkness! For a moment we were a bit freaked out until we realised what had happened! As for bloody women, my experiences have not been happy ones on the whole, either!

[@user-wc6pw8oh6v]

@@nickhirst999 did you learn it it with sheet music?

[@nickhirst999]

@@user-wc6pw8oh6v No I just learnt it by ear

[@calmaramanaturalsoundchann4150]

Best chord progression ever. Love the Farfisa sound.

[@deloreanized]

Depeche Mode's "Walking in my shoes" is AMAZING (when it comes to "best chord progressions ever" lists)

[@speedygsd]

I can see Rick right now... with tears of joy running down his face....

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks! Pink Floyd would never have been Pink Floyd without Richard William Wright!

[@ronfisher5259]

Hearing this in 1968 is what hooked me on Floyd. Saw them all thru the 70s and still listen to a lot- especially the older stuff- but THIS was the start.

[@dwayneandrews2059]

Thank you for understanding such a beautiful piece of music history that most people will never hear or appreciate. Much respect for honoring the legacy of a wonderful man.

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks Dwayne! I always try to reply when I can but I don't always get notifications from KZbin

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you all for making this my first video to top 50,000 views. It is, of course Richard Wright's piece and I always think that he plays it triumphantly! He really was on fantastic form that night. I wish I'd been there to witness it but I was only a couple of months old! I'm glad I did Richard justice.

[@eriamjr]

Possibly Rick Wright's finest hour, and one of the holy moments that sold me on Floyd for all time. It hasn't lost any of its fire or enchantment. Thanks for bringing it to life once again.

[@hektikal]

Well done indeed! Imagine Richard created this out of the head.. One of the most beautiful things ever made! Remember when i heard the news that he had passed away :'( Rest In Eternal Peace Richard

[@andreascala2663]

you're right! Rick was the soul of PF

[@gavsmurf7681]

A absolute sensational masterpiece welcome to the Starlight Club

[@milesmcclain1989]

well, I've never got chills from a youtube cover video before.

[@Hamel1n]

celestial voices

[@dddrum]

Very inspiring, sir. You--and the memory of Rick-- brought tears to my eyes. Plus, that is (IMHO) one of the most moving chord progressions ever devised.

[@pornis90]

You brought tears to my eyes, I just love your rendition of Saucerfull of secrets, my favorite track from the live set. I am a guitar player too, but there's no way I can do that. You Rock, man! Greetings from Buin, Chile.

[@steveburton9242]

The loveliest piece of music I have ever known.

[@nickhirst999]

Have to agree with you on both points there, Chaos. Another of Richard Wright's gems and when I heard this on Ummagumma, I just had to have a Farfisa Compact Duo, myself. I wanna be buried with it!

[@DannyD714]

this song would sound beautiful on a huge church organ or a dinky casio keyboard. putting those chords together is as much genius as any of the classic masters works. that's what we lost when richard passed...a genius.

[@biancaturner725]

I had to hear this a few times, such a different feel when all else is removed. I've always loved the early stuff.... Atom heart mother suite and Allans psychedelic breakfast 'sunny side up' are my absolute faves alongside this 💓 played beautifully!!!!

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you, Bianca! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@biancaturner725]

@@nickhirst999 im coming back for this regularly- love it so much Nick!

[@nickhirst999]

@@biancaturner725 I know what you mean! I'd love to hear Richard's original from the mastertapes.

[@mahajohn]

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...." I can hear David Gilmour's singing on top of this. Brilliant!

[@CrankyRayy]

One of my most favourite chord progressions

[@nickhirst999]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed and thanks for commenting!

[@Real_Boye]

with my fingers trying to do the epic drums along the video!! haha

[@ferryg846]

Haha! Same here! :))

[@RDL1984]

MASTER! THE SAME SOUND THAT THE ONE WHICH APPEARS ON THE UMMAGUMMA ALBUM!

[@nunziolagana7912]

That was absolutely beautiful, I closed my eyes and I thought I was listening to Ummagamma

[@Kingsofoblivion]

Been watching this video for a while. Gets better every time I watch it. Excellent job!

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you very much!

[@pedrofraga4366]

Rick Wright would have been proud!!!

[@captaineasychord1]

One of the most moving pieces of music I ever heard.

[@Jorgeepastor22]

you probably blessed your neighbors with this

[@nickhirst999]

Classic name and classic comment! Thanks!

[@chemofloyd]

"It is, after all, a requiem and shows just how important Richard's massive contribution to Pink Floyd was". Totalmente de acuerdo!

[@ricardmilos4308]

That was spot on! Soon 10 years after Rick's death his legacy lives on as ever! you helped carrie it on, I never realized, after all these years they used this particular kind of device, and i f***ng love the sound of it, so unique, so expressive, so emotional!!! O, I listen to it, the whole piece, in my mind with Dave Gilmoure's vocals and Mason's drums, when they were just kids and rock music was young, mysterious, innocent, inventive and growing!!!

[@martinbirch632]

I can't believe 88 people cannot have enjoyed this piece of music .........they are idiots !! i'm 71 and heard it in the first place ......no one expects it to be played the same way as Rick......what I love for all the different ways this music is played by younger people after 52 years keeps the music going !!!!!!!!

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you, that's a lovely compliment! I was around 6 weeks old when this live version on Ummagumma was recorded back in 1969. I actually asked my parents for Ummagumma for Christmas 1977 when I was 8! I still have the copy. I think perhaps some people may only be familiar with the studio version or the "Pompeii" version and don't realise this is the Ummagumma version. I really did it to demonstrate the Farfisa Compact Duo which is on the rear of the album cover. Although I've never been a keyboard player I always loved electric organs and used to go into my local Woolworth's as a kid in the days when they used to sell them, and mess about with them. Must have driven the tolerant staff mad! I'm glad you enjoyed it and thank you again for such a lovely comment. All the best! Nick

[@martinbirch632]

@@nickhirst999 Nick... can I encourage you to maybe learn other sections of keyboard work of Rick's eg Echoes or maybe any colour you like or event dream and broken china solo efforts .....good luck to you !!!!

[@martinbirch632]

or even wet dream.....bloody predictive txt !

[@224chingon]

Omg those old organs really do make some heavenly sounds. what a masterpiece. great job. congrats. love this song to death.

[@votejello]

Not only is this an amazing cover of the song, it's an excellent demonstration of what this baby can do. Much better than any other I've seen on the internet.

[@ChildovGhad]

Wow. It took me a few minutes to recover from that before I could comment. I, like others that commented before me, have never been so emotionally touched by a youtube cover before.

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks Dr Steve! it's comments like yours which make it all worthwhile. I used to stick my ear right up to the old mono Dansette record player I had and listen to the Ummagumma (live) album which I got for Christmas in 1977 when I was 8 years old (I'm the same age as the record!). Richard was particularly inspired on that album. I had to approximate what he was playing. I love the Farfisa. I wish we could hear Richard's Farfisa tracks isolated on the live album!

[@ChildovGhad]

@@nickhirst999 You seem rather familiar with Rick's work, maybe you're aware of his protege, Dom Beken, who's service I'm in, as bassist for Years Of The Canine. Being born in '73, Ummagumma is among my earliest of memories. Dom just got done wrapping up a US tour with Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets. I'm just a hired gun for Dom in the band he owns with Dynamax Roberts (rapper from Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate) and I personally will probably never be widely known, but damn, I feel blessed that he even knows who I am. I used to have a Hammond T-443. I miss it terribly, fire sucks...

[@carlandersson4982]

This ended up in my recommended today and i ended up in tears. Well played.

[@nickhirst999]

Funnily enough, I've just been shedding a few listening to Rick's Shine On, part 9! Thanks for your appreciation!

[@Mountainfrank]

This is really a venerable memory of Richard Wright. Awesome sound.

[@lorenzopinto7948]

Ray Manzarek was another great Farfisa player... A pride for Italy.

[@superpinga]

I am crying... with joy, of course! Great job, Rick would be proud!

[@224chingon]

omg those organs sound so so beautiful specially with that song. I am sure those organs are so rare now. Its like a priceless jewel. Thank you for the cover. Great job wish I could play like that.

[@BertGrink]

What a beautiful performance! Thanks!

[@darkanimals9036]

The perfect sound!!!

[@AnalogueInTheUK]

After that epic, you need to sit down, skin-up and relax. Awesome.

[@nickhirst999]

And that is indeed what we did!

[@ricardmilos4308]

i keep coming back to this one, sounds so unbelivably amazing, so pink floyd!!!!!!!!!!

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks Ricard!

[@ALAMEDAVIVA]

Celestial voices, magnum opera, big song.

[@racebaker4361]

Some of the most amazing chord progressions ever.

[@nickhirst999]

+Race Baker Yes indeed! Though the track is credited to all PF I think it's fairly clear that this part was Richard's creation and it is a masterpiece!

[@fmartins777]

+nickhirst999 I did a very good job! It was fantastic!!! I always dream about play this song, Actually I own a Kurzweil PC3K and I´m using his features to try to emulate Farfisa Compact Duo. If you don´t mind I will use your video to try to recreate registrations. I don´t know if you know someone that just sampled this machine so I can use as reference. Thanks and very good job!!!

[@fmartins777]

+Felipe Martins You did a very good job, not me... LOL (I started wrong..)

[@nickhirst999]

+Felipe Martins Ha! Lol...I'm sure you'll do a very good job too! The way the Farfisa works is that each note can play up to 3 octaves plus a fifth up from the top octave. So if I play middle C then the 8' tab plays that note. If I put the 16' tab on, then it will play an octave below and if I switch on the 4' tab then it will play an octave above. Therefore I can play up to 3 octaves with just one note. It's impersonating a pipe organ. The magic of the Compact Duo is that you can add the 2+2/3 tab which plays a fifth above the top octave. So in the part where I am just playing the upper manual, I have the 16' and 4' and 2+2/3 tabs on so each note has the note two octaves apart and the fifth added to the upper octave. I think you'd need a 3 or 4 oscillator synth to do that. All the best! N

[@fmartins777]

Thanks, i'm using a PC3 só it has the capability of use many oscs. Thank you for info and again very good job on saucerful of secrets!

[@theobscurust7577]

Perfectly done!! Beautiful. Love that sound and I love early Floyd

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you! I like it when people recognise it especially when they have such excellent names as yours!

[@traviskearneyspanish]

This is one of the most awesome things I have ever seen. That is very very good. Spot on!

[@mata6273]

This is pretty fabulous. You are really talented.

[@davellewellyn9306]

I had one of these years ago with the amplifier. I took it to the tip and there was nothing wrong with it! Kicking myself now!

[@nickhirst999]

Oh no!! This one is actually made up from 2. I had one with the amp too. The organ had a few faults but the outer casing was in good condition. Then I got another where the organ was fine but the outer casing was all ripped up. The organ is held into the casing with 5 wing nuts. You just unscrew them and take the organ out! So this is the working organ which originally had the scruffy casing inside the good casing from the faulty one.

[@davellewellyn9306]

@@nickhirst999 yes its a big regret I got rid of it, it also had a small amplifier box which i think may have been used for an accordion but not 100% sure. I actually got rid of it because I wanted a Viscount Intercontinental organ which weighed a ton!

[@Starz4Chloe]

Nickhirst999 - You actually brought me to tears. Thank you for posting this. I have alwsays been a huge fan of the Floyd and I really can't believe just how much I miss Rick.

[@paulb111]

Thanks for learning all of this. It's like Rick himself showing us how he played this. I enjoyed this so much!

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks Paul, that was my intention. Rick knew exactly how to get those tones out of the Farfisa. I'd really like to find good footage of Rick playing the Farfisa but although there is footage it never lingers long enough on what he's doing. Even the close ups on "Pompeii" don't show the settings on the organ. Perhaps Rick didn't want to share his (Saucerful of) secrets with the world!

[@interstellaremily361]

this is amazing. it has long inspired me.

[@daviddesain]

Maneeficooo. My favorite song. Always comes to life.... Brings back many happy memory.

[@HustlerAtWork82]

Beautiful, thank you for the performance, and time.

[@Stravinski59]

A brilliant instrument, a great player, and a great tribute to the man himself. Thanks for the enjoyment.

[@cathdodd5072]

AMAZEBALLS! Seriously brilliant.

[@picardbs]

And the guy's not a keybordist! ;-))

[@paulmckeown5672]

Thanks for the chord sequence. I'm a guitarist as well but I'm going to learn to play this if it's the last thing I do

[@nickhirst999]

Go for it, Paul! You can do it!

[@TM-yg5nu]

Fantastic! I was just delving back into Richard Wright, love his contributions to Pink Floyd. I just read this was his main instrument back in the old days, and that led me to your video. Pre-Dark Side of the Moon Floyd remains an enduring favorite for me. Nice job on the cover, man.

[@TM-yg5nu]

I've been well acquainted with the sound of the instrument, now I know the name! 👍thanx

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks Tomoe! Yes Richard's Farfisa sounds on Ummagumma and More were inspirational to me too!

[@TM-yg5nu]

@@nickhirst999 🎶❤️

[@nickhirst999]

@@TM-yg5nu It's a bit like owning a classic car. I'm not joking when I say it has a specific smell! Rather like a fine wine! I had a red Farfisa Compact (single manual) for a while before I got this Duo. It's as old as I am! 52 years. I bought it in 1988 as a 19 year old and I always got my old friend and colleague Gerald (who isn't a mouse and he has got a house) to maintain it! Gerald is now 70 and would like to retire! My Farfisa needs a bit of work doing, so Gerald's not allowed to retire before he repairs it!!

[@nickhirst999]

@Rusty Gears Er...no! Not hot dust! Not in a Compact Duo. The Duo runs on a 12 volt transformer in a separate box. Fully transistorised. The smell is the wood, paint and electronics.

[@coldacre]

I could listen to this all day. simply a stunningly beautiful piece of music. RIP Rick!

[@alaincelos476]

Rick one of my 3 fave organist with Banton & Fisher.he did have a wonderfull sound with such crap Farfisa, so beautiful without his touch there wouldn' t bé any P.Floyd.on thé Hammond too.there are more virtuosos than him but hé had such a pretty good ear.

[@SSC_Nitro]

Such amazing sounds from such an amazing instrument. Great work!!

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks, Nitrolysis. Yes, that's what I was really demonstrating in this, the instrument itself and roughly what Richard Wright was doing with it, as best I could. I remember an interview that David Gilmour did in the 1980s where he was asked about Pink Floyd's "electronic" sounds and he said (from my memory): 'Most of the electronic sounding stuff we did in the early days was with an early Farfisa Organ'. I think he went on to say that they didn't use synthesizers until Obscured by Clouds in 1972.

[@russellfields8100]

Absolutely Superb!

[@nickhirst999]

Ah..thank you very much! Happy New Year to you and yours!

[@nickhirst999]

@Starz4Chloe I must confess that I did shed a tear when I listened to Rick's original on Ummagumma the night I heard he'd died. It just goes to show that he did contribute so much of the emotion in PF and how fitting is Celestial Voices being intended as a requiem? Really glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment and for subscribing.

[@MrLordjonathan]

Fantastic performance. Tears.

[@drpepperr]

This is a beautiful tribute piece. Thank you!

[@ChristineBeatty1]

My favorite Pink Floyd composition of all time and you *nailed* the Celestial Voices movement. My hat is off and waving to you!

[@nickhirst999]

+Christine Beatty Thank you! I like your hat!

[@nickhirst999]

It is a requiem. I'm with you all the way. I can only play this with my own Grandmother (1896 - 1977) and Richard William Wright (1943 - 2008) in mind.

[@AJStenh]

Yes a MASSIVE contribution to PF, I loved Rick Wright's playing, so economical yet so vital!

[@nickhirst999]

+AJStenh Yeah, he was obviously on form that night! I've listened to some other recordings from the days around that time where Rick's not doing so much, but I think he emerges triumphant on this night! Wish I'd been there! Sadly I was only a couple of months old at the time and couldn't make it!

[@braddavisjamesville]

Blown away! Awesome!

[@blownspiritofficialchannel]

thanks dud...you couldn't imagine how this remember the genius of Rick..and it goes warming the cold inside me!! great job!!

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you for your lovely comment. Richard is an inspiration!

[@MauroBalbino001]

Thank you, my friend, for an unexpected gift. I mourned Rick Wright for a while back in 2009, and, as someone in this thread already mentioned, he "was the soul of PF". My Brazilian compliments.

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you Mauro! Much appreciated. My compliments to you and all Brazilian viewers!

[@ChaosInExpansion]

One of the best chord progression ever written. what a nice sound by the way

[@cascalex]

A lot of thanks for your great work. What a psychedelic moment !

[@kewlfonz]

Excellent - very musical. You really are a dark horse with your musical talents, young Nick...

[@nickhirst999]

Thank you from England! Farfisa made fantastic organs in Italy and I am proud to own one!

[@gaberoony39]

Fantastic cover brother!!! Sounds exactic!

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks! I can't believe it was nearly 13 years ago!

[@Kingsofoblivion]

Very cool. This is great, thanks!

[@lucleblanc2584]

Absolutely terrific. I agree with you 100% about our dear Richard. Right on the money with the rendition of saucerful Celestial voices.beautiful and touching. Like your playing.Richard was a true genius. Couple of years ago I've the chance to Purchase a Farfisa compact duo at a pawnshop they were asking 280 bucks and guess what I didn't buy it. I didn't even know if it worked but who cares!!! I guess the world needs a few morons... Fuc&)/$. Richard did not need to write a double album grand magnum opus about alienation...He just had to write...let's say....opening of Echoes!, and he says has much. Terrific!

[@nickhirst999]

+Luc Leblanc Yes I think Rick wasn't given his due as he wasn't as prolific in his compositions as Syd or Roger but when he came up with ideas they were excellent. I think the final part of Shine On (solely credited to Rick) is one of the best Floyd pieces ever.

[@BowGification]

wow speechless, i love this sound

[@rogergomes2291]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@nickhirst999]

@TheOrganiston9th Thanks! I first heard the Ummagumma version when I got it for Christmas as an 8 year old in 1977! A couple of months later I saw Pompeii at the cinema and was blown away! I started learning the guitar at exactly that point as well as having piano lessons from a church organist! I always hoped he'd let me loose on the church organ but he never did! I've always wanted to see Pompeii at the cinema again but it's never been on since then. All the best! N

[@thekeysman1]

wicked stuff, very haunting, mesmerizing, keys, sound of the Farfisa

[@whimreaper8603]

Great job and i appreciated the detailed description

[@grigoir]

It is just amazing ! Thanks a lot for the chords transcription.

[@kevinshann697]

Saucerfull Of Secrets.. one of the most beautiful song's put on the planet

[@gfisfeld]

The first time I comment on you tube. I felt compelled to. You do this justice and for that I thank you. Great job. Thanks from Iceland.

[@OmarLuna1981]

I appreciate havign listened to your playing, made me feel emotional LOL! Thanks for your video.

[@nellymoriarty_5783]

Very nice treat Thanks for memories You're alright & better

[@nickhirst999]

Thanks Nelly! Nice of you to say so!

[@Arturdg1bk]

Amazing! Just amazing!

[@davekingmusic1994]

A beautiful peace of music and nicely played.

[@jesusgomez492]

Wonderful!! It was an brilliant organist!

[@gfisfeld]

The first time I comment on you tube. I felt compelled to. You do this justice and for that I thank you. Great job.

[@Dubiouscyclist]

WOW! That was stunning...

[@deaconfrost4484]

Celestial voices 😍😍 great