Sonny Rollins: Why A Guitar

http://www.sonnyrollins.com presents Sonny Rollins, discussing why he has a guitar in his present group, instead of a pianist.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sonny
• Rollins
• Bret
• Primack

[macflyfilm]

Very true. But even more than that, is a thing (I like to call) musical sensitivity. Musicians that are aware of their fellow musicians. Sometimes it's more important to feature your fellow musician than yourself, and the instinct for know when and how is the gift that every musician should search for - IMO.

[macflyfilm]

Great "musician". I know people who are great players of the guitar, but are awful musicians.

[jazz1bro]

I agree with Sonny's choice of guitar. In fact ,when Bobby Broom or Peter Bernstein can't make it I'm ready! Smile!

[SIRONEDRAGON]

fascinating : ))

[parzooman]

I still like the sound of piano in a jazz combo -- it gives it an orchestral fullness that sits well with me. The same is true of the rock I listen to preferring bands that feature keyboards in some capacity.

[Modes9]

I think I know what he means. On guitar or vibes, you might play the the third and seventh of the chord and one or two additional altered tones. On a piano you're more likely to play the entire chord scale in your voicing. I can see how a soloist would feel like there's nothing left for them to do harmonically.

[rillloudmother]

that's a really cool thing to hear as a guitar player who has always been a bit jealous of some of the voicings that are available on piano.

[76Soco]

AMEN

[TheFlutevisions]

@lazur1 Even Coltrane stop using Piano. HE was looking for more space.

[nicnut210]

Why even ask "why a guitar?" Guitar is one of the best instruments ever created.

[lazur1]

Sonny did some of his greatest work w/bass & drums, freeing him even more to move the upper harmonic content of his lines virtually anywhere. A pianist can so easily play such harmonically complete substitutions that everyone must fit into his direction. The 'right' pianist can leave all that alone, & play as sparsely as any guitarist, but you might have to ask him to. I don't think Sonny likes to have to ask. Piano didn't seem to limit Coltrane!

[BeatBay]

I personally dont like the hard piano sound in jazz bands. dont get me wrong, the muscian can be awesome, like monk, but the piano sound is for me to "sterile" you cant slide into notes or swirl in notes like on the sax, trumpet or guitar. the piano is the king of classical music i dont see it in a "dirty" jazz situation. like i said: dont get me wrong, i am a piano player myself and monk is obe of my favorite musicians, but in jazz the guitar and the horn instruments are king. for myself :)