The National Anthem - ondes Martenot Parts
A while back, a reader asked for a transcription of the introductory ondes Martenot line which Jonny plays on the studio recording of The National Anthem, in order to play it on their Ondomo. We obliged, and went further, transcribing all three of the song’s ondes Martenot parts up until the instruments are completely buried by a wall of brass. Many of these more atmospheric Martenot parts are only heard on the album recording, since at concerts Jonny improvises new parts based on the “A F# Bb G” verse motif (which Ed plays on guitar live). There’s something magical about these early parts, featuring the unique sound of the 80′s “additive” instrument. Jonny wrote them as he was first teaching himself to play the Martenot, having never even seen a picture of one before finding a posting for one in Paris in 1999, in the midst of recording Kid A.