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The innovators of other instruments (like Jamerson)?

Rudreax

Rudreax

Jun 14, 2008
1,209
104
35
New York, NY
#1
I haven't found a topic like this yet, if there is one please direct me to it.

Basically I'm asking who you guys would say really changed the way an instrument was played in a certain style or genre, sorta like how Jamerson helped show how bass could be used in a different way compared to how it was being used at the time.

I'm sorry if that sounds weird, not sure how else to word it, but yeah; any suggestions? Please don't just say names; say why you think they were innovators.
 
#4
Hendrix for guitar in the 60's.
Eddie Van Halen for guitar in the 70's - like Hendrix, he simply changed the way people played and what was considered possible on the instrument.

For drums - Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich come to mind.

Probably Coltrane for Sax.
 
#5
Hendrix, definitely.

Also, John McLaughlin for guitar and for music in a much broader way. Especially after being influenced himself by Miles Davies, who definitely belongs in this thread.

Art Tatum is one of several pianists who could be mentioned here (Rachmnainov, anyone?).

Jaco, of course.

Big 'ol +1 for both Krupa and Coltrane (Charlie Parker deserves a shout out here, too).

Going way, way back - Paganini on violin.

(To keep the post short, I've left out my reasons for these suggestions; a quick visit to Wikipedia might be of interest and suggest some further reading/listening.)
 
#7
Another Jazz pianist-
Bud Powell

More Jazz drummers-
Elvin Jones
Tony Williams

Definitely Bird, Coltrane, Sam Rivers, Eric Dolphy for sax.

Jimmy Blanton-BASS

Charlie Christian-guitar

Dizzy for trumpet
 
#8
kesslari said:
Eddie Van Halen for guitar in the 70's - like Hendrix, he simply changed the way people played and what was considered possible on the instrument.
Click to expand...

No doubt, Van Halen up'd the ante...someone that gets buried from the '60s is Terry Kath. If you like "Eruption", check out Kath's "Free Form Guitar" piece from Chicago's debut.
 
#9
Great responses. On sax, while Trane and Bird are on the top of the list, don't forget Coleman Hawkins from an earlier time. He took the sax out of the band section and made it a solo instrument. (Sidney Bechet too)

Guitar players are indebt to B.B. King too for a certain approach to tone. (add Clapton to that)

Miles was a wonderful change from the Harry James model.

Any player with a unique voice is a great addition to the art.
 
#12
thedrones said:
Thelonius Monk on piano

Scott LaFaro on bass.
Click to expand...

Funny, I hear Monk as much more of an innovator/influencer (and a HUGE one) in composition, but not in playing - I don't hear a change in pianists and their playing "before Monk" and "after Monk".
 
#15
kesslari said:
Funny, I hear Monk as much more of an innovator/influencer (and a HUGE one) in composition, but not in playing - I don't hear a change in pianists and their playing "before Monk" and "after Monk".
Click to expand...
Monk did have that ability to make an in-tune piano sound out-of-tune. Definitely a unique & one-of-a-kind player.
Agreed...great composer.
 
#17
When I think piano, I think Count Basie. I think he brought to the forefront that leaving space between notes can have more of an impact than shoving as many notes into a measure as possible. Plus, just the way he "grabbed fistfuls of chords."
 
#18
Well, golly, just about all the obvious choices are here... Miles, Hendrix, 'Trane, Django, Armstrong, Art Tatum, Mingus, NHØP, and EVH.

Maybe Bela Fleck on banjo? I don't know if he's simply changed the way people conceive of the instrument and its perceived limitations the way the others changed the world of their instrument, though.

John
 

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