How does Carlos Santana always sound like Carlos Santana?

[Anonymous]

I’m not a musician, and I’m sure this will sound dumb to those who are, but how exactly do certain musicians who play instruments sound so distinct?

Like when you hear Carlos Santana or Brian May play guitar you instantly know it is them. How did they do that? And can other people not replicate it? For me, it’s particularly these two artists that come to mind. It seems much harder, even possible to someone like me, to discern what musician is playing the drums, or cello, or piano, or even guitar, other than Carlos, Brian, and likely some of the other most famous ones. Is it the instrument? The technique? Or just the perfect combination? How come there aren’t hundreds of other musicians we can so easily discern as being them when they play? Or maybe they are and I just have a novice ear?

[Anonymous]

You may have to be more of a musician to understand.

I olayteo instruments. One I play like any other person plays; I follow the music as written (because that is what is needed for most events related to it).

The other has a bit more personality, because I mostly play it simply for fun.

Written music, esp when accompanying others, is fairly strict. Even if you have a fun-written piece of music, I’d yiure expected to produce it as it’s written, there’s little personality.

Now, if you’re playing unwritten music, or if you’re able to stray to any degree from what’s on paper, you will add personality.

It’s all choices. Do you hold a beat longer? Do you slide into a note a certain way? Do you have a unique tone in your voice that comes through? *these choices are all possible in millions of combinations* THATS how you create a signature sound.

[Anonymous]

*play two