Pop’s Most Beloved Piano - Abbey Road Studios’ Mrs Mills Piano

[@marksadventures3889]

I remember Mrs. Mills on tv and radio and I think my parents even had one of her recordings. Yes I'm that old.

[@JacqueHarper]

From your picture, I never would have guessed ;-)

[@marksadventures3889]

@@JacqueHarper There's archaeologists eyeing me up even now. The good money's on my being from the Pleistocene

[@darrenhirst9900]

My dad's next door neighbour looked just like her and played the piano. She looked a lot of fun and was certainly a lady. My parents had loads of her records too and she was certainly talented.

[@wyshwood]

Glorious sounding instrument. Really works well as a virtual instrument in pop songs and vintage homages, especially.

[@NightDocs]

Just bought it and it’s my favorite piano plug-in already

I got the Propellerhead Refill with the Mills piano. Sounds delish and quirky.

[@StrophicValley]

I'm super excited to get my hands on this! Fell in love with their Firewood Piano.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Stewart Eltham worked on many of Reg Dixon's recordings at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, and his successors, Ernest Broadbent and Phil Kelsall.

[@headfirstonly]

Installed it this afternoon. Beautifully done. Bright, but really characterful.

[@stevemarson]

Bought it, love it! Would love to see a list of songs it may have been used on.

[@mrfuzztone]

BBC documentary: Let's Have a Party - The Piano Genius of Mrs. Mills

[@drvoodoo3073]

Love this piano so much, bought the SA one immediately! Please PLEASE model the Challen piano and then the Steinway D pianos next! Those will be instabuys from me :)

[@Singerville]

Steinway D yes pls!

[@rdru2ner82]

A good history makes good sales...

[@Barefoot_Joe]

exactly what I was thinking, no need to demo the sound, just talk about who used it etc

[@pedrobarrionovo]

Just amazing!

[@Ambientnauts]

Hoping for the Bluther used on Long and Winding road one day...

[@auberginedreams00]

I’ve been looking for a piano that cuts through a rock/metal/punk mix, can anyone tell me if this may be the one to do it?

[@YaatraRecordingStudio]

Thanks for information Regards.

[@keiththeodosiou]

Love it!

[@anatomicallymodernhuman5175]

Should Spitfire be promoting the myth that a sampled piano is the same as the real one? Paul and Christian are usually more careful than that.

[@stevemarson]

Pedant :)

[@IVORIESMAN]

The flippant and condescending phrase "old school classic party pub style singalong tunes" used here is sadly typical these days of the accolade given to describe Gladys Mills' contribution to light entertainment. It does nothing to explain her unique approach to the music she played. Her technique was second to none - each of her medleys mini masterpieces of composition, peppered with her famous 'twiddly bits' (her phrase) which gave us all a whole new listening experience which to this day is yet to be equalled.

[@MarcusTomatos]

My understanding is that this piano was de-tuned around late 1960 specifically for Russ Conway. It was necessary to replace the original Hohner out-of-tune upright, that Russ had used for all his major hits in the late 50s, but was wearing out (Russ's own words). All this was done before Mrs. Mills had been given a record contract. I know the piano is known as the 'Mrs. Mills' piano, and I have no problem with that, but are you sure your facts regarding the origins of this piano are correct? Also I don't care what Paul McCartney thinks he remembers, that piano was not used for 'Lady Madonna'. It is not the right sound, you don't need to be musically trained to hear that. Hope that helps put the record straight.

[@iainmcguire7190]

So hard to know who to believe, about Beatles recordings, Paul McCartney, or MarcusTomatos on KZbin

[@MarcusTomatos]

@@iainmcguire7190 It should be Paul of course... but the sound is wrong, and it was a long time ago.

[@iainmcguire7190]

@@MarcusTomatos And the funny thing is, he thinks you're wrong, but he was in the Beatles. Hey ho

[@MarcusTomatos]

@@iainmcguire7190 Yep, he certainly was and he should know, but...

[@allaboutbookbinding8339]

Ken Scott, who of course was in The Beatles and actually recorded the backing track for 'Lady Madonna', says the piano was the Steinway grand in Studio 3. Mark Lewisohn (also in The Beatles) confirms that the session was in Studio 3 on Saturday 3rd February, 1968. Studio 3 is upstairs so, there being no lift, it is extremely unlikely that the Mrs. Mills piano was ever used in there. There is mention of a second piano, overdubbed three days later and recorded by Geoff Emerick (another Beatle), who recalls spending a lot of time on the sound, using cheap mics and a lot of compression and limiting. This session was in Studio 1, just across the corridor from Studio 2, so could have been the upright. However, Ken Scott remarks that it doesn't sound double-tracked to him. I would have to agree - unless it's just the bass notes, which perhaps sound a little more chorusy that one might expect from the grand. Interestingly (although I've yet to encounter anyone else who thinks so) Mellotron strings were recorded on the 'See how they run' section of the bridges but never used. Perhaps erased to make room for the brass? There was also some 'tron flute nurdling on the run out.

[@dafingaz]

Nice!

[@Nullllus]

No 'stingray' mics? But there're awesome...

[@rdpatterson2682]

Trying to get SF Abbey Road One to play on more than one track simultaneously in Motu Dp9. Appreciate any tips or insights.

[@bradders3949]

The Mrs Mills piano needs to more attributed to Glad herself than a load of pretentious modern musicians!

[@kyrievincent6087]

you all prolly dont care but does anybody know of a tool to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost the login password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me.

[@kenzoxzavier9503]

@Kyrie Vincent instablaster =)

[@kyrievincent6087]

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[@kyrievincent6087]

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[@kenzoxzavier9503]

@Kyrie Vincent no problem xD

[@millmoormichael6630]

Yes, it actually sounds out-of-tune & metallic!