Stevie Wonder
Songs in the Key of Life · 1976
Amp settings (as recorded)
The recording
Recorded at Crystal Recording Studio, Los Angeles, in 1976 for the album Songs in the Key of Life. Stevie Wonder composed, produced, and performed the majority of the instrumentation himself, including the foundational synth motifs and the keyboard-based bassline. The song is a reflection on his childhood and was finalized after a Motown company picnic.
Tuning
StandardRecording Signal Chain · 2 items
N/A (Recorded via Synthesizers/Keyboards)
main
N/A
Studio Console / Direct
The iconic 'riff' and primary instrumental textures in 'I Wish' are composed and performed by Stevie Wonder using an ARP 2600 synthesizer and Fender Rhodes electric piano. There is no traditional guitar part in the original studio recording; guitar parts in modern covers typically emulate these synth horn and bass lines.
Tone Characteristics
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