- In the finale instrumental section of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer”
- The deep reverberating stringlike effect in the “V’Ger” score of Star Trek: The Motion Picture
OK, after I asked I did find that a Blaster Beam was used in Star Trek. How about S&G’s “The Boxer”?
I was thinking maybe bass harmonica, but I don’t think that’s the sound you’re thinking of, as it’s also featured in the second verse. I’ve read the bass harmonica comes back in during the instrumental section, so it’s perhaps it is it after all, with some effects layered on top. I assume you’re talking about the low bass notes that come in at the end of the instrumental, basically playing one note, holding for a couple measure, then another note, hold for a couple measures.
BTW if there’s any confusion, it’s the deep hornlike notes that alternate between two tones from 4:20 to 4:40 here:
To me it sounds like an upright bass being bowed.
Your own quote lists harmonica.
Yes, but the bass harmonica is easily distinguishable in other parts of the song and has a much different sound from the bass part in question.
Might have to rethink my no-youtube-at-work policy. A quick listen and I’d have realized that.
Yeah, that’s the part I’m thinking of. I wonder if it’s an effected-up version of the bass harp, or perhaps some mix of instruments. I can’t remember where I read it, but I’ve read that the harmonica is in the second verse and in the instrumental at the end. It’s obvious where it is in the second verse, but I can’t quite catch it in the instrumental, so I’m wondering if it is those two bass notes.