<P> "Bridge over Troubled Water" was the final track to be recorded but the first one fully completed, with an additional two weeks of post-production . Simon initially composed the song in G major, but arranger and composer Jimmie Haskell transposed the song to E-flat major to suit Garfunkel's voice . The song was recorded in California, to make it easier for Garfunkel to go to Mexico to film Catch - 22 . Simon wanted a gospel piano sound, and so he hired session musician Larry Knechtel . The song was initially two verses long, but Garfunkel felt the song was too short, and asked Knechtel to play a third verse, to which Simon would write more lyrics . Joe Osborn played the two bass guitars, one high and the other low . A horn section rounded off the song . The drums were played by Hal Blaine in an echo chamber to achieve a hall effect and Los Angeles session percussionist Gary Coleman played the vibraphone . Due to a series of factors, the duo had to work on a new tape; an arranger falsely labeled the song as "Like a Pitcher of Water", wrote Garfunkel's name incorrectly and the string part was unsatisfactory . </P> <P> Simon and Garfunkel then returned to New York to record the vocals . The vocal style in "Bridge over Troubled Water" was inspired by Phil Spector's technique in "Old Man River" by The Righteous Brothers . After two months the song was finalized . Simon himself admitted that it sounded like the Beatles' "Let It Be", stating in a Rolling Stone interview: "They are very similar songs, certainly in instrumentation ..." </P> <P> As their relations frayed preceding their 1970 breakup, Simon began to feel jealous that he allowed Garfunkel to sing it solo: </P> <P> He felt I should have done it, and many times on a stage, though, when I'd be sitting off to the side and Larry Knechtel would be playing the piano and Artie would be singing "Bridge", people would stomp and cheer when it was over, and I would think, "That's my song, man ..." </P>

Who sings vocals on bridge over troubled water