Jimi Hendrix’s Major Contributions to Rock Music

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As a rock music star during his time, Jimi did not just play music but also improved its image. While it is the dream of every artist to make a contribution through his/her work and performance, not all of them successfully make their dreams come true. Through his singing and performance, Jimi is today acknowledged for the impact he had on rock music; he moved rock to a higher level. Some of his major contributions to rock music are he improved the styles that were used to play the guitar thus flipping the music upside down as well as influencing other singers on how they would sing and play the lead at the same time. During that time, a rock band only consisted of at least two people, a separate player for the lead and a singer. However, Jimi changed this trend by singing and playing the lead at the same time. This attracted many musicians of that time and as a result, they practiced it thus changing the look of rock significantly.

How might rock have been different without them?

Without Jimi’s contributions, the rock would still be at its grassroots. His innovation and energy in performing boosted the music industry and moved it to a higher level. For instance, it is he who introduced the system in which one person would sing and play the guitar and the lead at the same time. Without him, rock artists would hire a large group of people in their bands which would be more expensive.

Did the area that this artist hailed from have a significant effect on their musical development?

The area in which Jimi was born and brought up has some significant effect on his musical development. Jimi was hailed in Seattle where he did most of his guitar practices as a little boy. Seattle also had several studios from which music concerts were held. Jimi would sometimes go to these concerts where artists such as Elvis Presley were performing. Jimi was also given a chance to perform at the Arena in 1968 after he became a star, an opportunity that developed his musical career. It is therefore in these concerts that he became motivated and learned the basics of how to play the guitar and eventually performed all on his development ladder.

Did the artist have any formal musical training?

As a successful musician, most people would think that Jimi had some formal training in music before joining the rock band. However, he did not have any formal training but he leaned and identified his talent through self-training. He started training when he was still a young boy. He had been given an old ukulele by his father which he loved so dearly and used in his practices. He later purchased a used guitar and practiced at home during his free time. After one year, his father bought him a used electronic guitar which was presented as a gift. He did not have an amplifier of his own thus he was forced to practice from his friend’s homes (Doggett 17). Besides, Jimi had little formal education since he dropped out of high school and could not even read music. Thus his knowledge in music; writing, playing, and performing are attributed not too formal musical training, but to his own effort, determination, and self-interest.

How Jimi Hendrix was unique and innovative?

Throughout his performance and production, Jimi displayed a sense of uniqueness that influenced the way rock music is played today. His style of guitar playing was different from any rock artist that lived before him thus taking rock guitar to new levels. The magnified the vocabulary of the electric guitar and coaxed all manner of unanticipated sonic from his guitar with innovative intensification experiments that produced roaring distortion and excellent feedback. The most controversial nature of his style is characterized by the loud and sharp sounds he produced from his guitar as they were accompanied by the imitated sounds of screams, bombs, and gunfire. To begin, Jimi’s basics of playing were totally different from everyone else; he did not play with the C Major Chord like many guitarists would, instead he did it outside the box. Besides, Jimi used the wah-wah pedal constantly, a feature that made him unique from all other guitar players (Evans 1).

Another surprising thing about Jimi is that he was left-handed yet he used right-handed guitars. This is to imply that he played it with the strings upside down. He removed the strings, replaced the guide, and restrung them in a unique fashion. Thus all his guitars had some substantial adjustments before he could use them. With his recurrent hurricane explosions of noise and stunning showmanship, Jimi would play the guitar with his teeth while it was behind his back. Thus it is widely accepted that Jimi had a unique way of playing the guitar; an aspect that was motivated by his spirit to do what he wants, play what he has in his head, and strive for that quality sound. This took rock guitar to greater levels and consequently made him one of the most significant musicians of his time.

Jimi Hendrix’s major contributions in terms of important recordings, songwriting, and live performances

Apart from the social contributions that Jimi Hendrix made to society, there are also other contributions that he made in terms of important recordings, songwriting, and live performances as well. Through his songs, important records have been kept since it was during his time that rock and roll made a new turn and was revolutionized into what it is today. His time will be remembered for great innovations in the music industry; something that earn him several rewards. Some of his recordings include; Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland, and The Cry of Love which became among the top five songs on the best songs charts of the United States and the United Kingdom. In terms of songwriting, Jimi’s songs were exceptional despite the fact that he could not read music. He composed his songs from what he had in his head and as well as the events that were happening then. Songwriting, therefore, got a new look since the belief that music composition and writing were only for the literates was disapproved.

Jimi also contributed greatly to how music was performed. While it was like a custom that rock was performed by a lead player and a singer, Jimi did these two tasks alone. His live performance inspired many people who consequently improved the way they performed. In other words, Jimi Hendrix has acted as a tool in bridging the gap between the rock music before his time and that which was played after him. He brought a totally new start to rock music and the music industry at large. His music has been emulated by many and the improvement in sound, songwriting, performance, and guitar playing is attributed to his innovations and the uniqueness of his talent to sing, play the guitar, and lead at the same time.

Did charisma, image, or promotion play a role in the popularity of this artist?

As is the trend for most musicians and performers, popularity is a product of charisma, image, and promotion. Throughout his life, Jimi had a good personality and related well with other people. He believed in teamwork, a personality that made him work with groups, and eventually formed his own band. Despite the fact that he had some differences with Little Richard, his charisma was admired by many and that is the main reason why he managed to form several bands as he worked with other people as well thus promoting his popularity. The image also played a role in the popularity of Jimi (Bio 1). Following his image as the best performer and guitarist of his time, coupled with his innovative nature, Jimi was spotted by Chas Chandler, the Animals’ bassist, and was convinced to join the band and go to London where he would be recorded as a solo performer in England (Chipkin 98). Chandler was looking for a manager when his band was almost collapsing and he found the qualities he wanted in Jimi due to his outstanding image as a guitarist, singer, and dancer. After playing for several bands, Jimi formed his own and become even more popular when he named his first band ‘Jimmy James’ after his name and the ‘Are You Experienced?’ (Evans 1).

How prolific was this artist over their career, and did their work change in any significant ways over their career?

As a committed artist who did his songs with passion, Jimi was very productive in his career, especially during a time like his when the music industry was still developing. His prolific effort is seen when he produced numerous songs and the awards that he won when his songs and/or performance emerged as the best. Most of his songs made it to the top when competing with other artists (Evans 2). His work was always perfect and it was more of a passion and talent other than a career.

Critics’, contemporaries’ or other musicians’ say about Jimi’s work and influence

Jimi’s influence and work were admired by many and as is usual for every public figure, critics, contemporaries, and fellow artists had something to say about his work and performance. Different groups and individuals expressed different feelings about his work and experience. While there were those who cherished him, others criticized him. However, most of them approved of his performance as they were astonished at how he played his guitar in a style only known to him. For instance, Pete Blecha, the music historian once commented that Jimi had a unique way of manipulating his guitar.

The degree to which Jimi has been influential upon their specific style, other musicians, and rock music in general

Jimi Hendrix has been influential to other musicians and rock music in general in that most of them strive to improve the music industry. He laid a strong foundation for rock music by setting greater standards that only the talented and committed young stars would achieve; his records have been met by very few artists. Jimi has also influenced the way rock music is performed and artists have discarded the old fashion and embraced his. For instance, today the Stratocaster has become an exceedingly popular musical instrument because it was associated with him. Jimi used the Stratocaster throughout and it can be argued that it is during his time that this instrument was the best-selling musical instrument. Thus, his work has not only impacted the artists but the rock music at large.

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