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?