Florian Schneider

Florian Schneider-Esleben (born 7 April 1947, in Düsseldorf, Germany) is one of the founding members of influential and pioneering electronic music band Kraftwerk. He founde

Florian Schneider-Esleben (born 7 April 1947, in Düsseldorf, Germany) is one of the founding members of influential and pioneering electronic music band Kraftwerk. He founded Kraftwerk with Ralf Hütter in 1970, the two having met in 1968, studying firstly at the Academy of Arts in Remscheid, then at the Robert-Schumann-Conservatory in Düsseldorf, and played together in the improvising ensemble Organisation.

Originally his main instrument was the flute, which he would treat using a diverse manner of electronic effects, including tape echo, ring modulation, use of pitch-to-voltage converter, fuzz and wah-wah, allowing him to use his flute as a bass instrument. He also played violin (similarly treated) and made use of synthesizers (both as a melodic instrument and as a sound processor). Later he also created his own electronic flute instrument. After the release of their 1974 album, Autobahn his use of acoustic instruments diminished.