Often referred to as the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson was renowned for his extraordinary dancing and singing abilities. It’s possible that many people are unaware of his multi-instrumental proficiency. Despite not being very skilled on any one instrument, his natural musical ability allowed him to write and produce his popular songs in a distinctive way.
Early on, Michael was the frontman of the Jackson 5, and while his brothers played different instruments, his primary concentration as a talent was on singing, dancing, and stage presence. which he clearly spent a great deal of time and energy on!
Michael Jackson worked with a variety of instruments during his career. He didn’t know how to read or write music, but he was nevertheless able to create his famous songs by using his innate sense of rhythm and melody. His unusual method of writing music produced a distinctive sound that is still unmatched in the music business.
Michael Jackson’s Musical Background
Composition Training
A best-selling American singer, songwriter, and dancer, Michael Jackson was dubbed the “King of Pop.” Jackson learned a distinctive method of composition even though he lacked formal composition training.
He performed drums, percussion, guitar, keyboard, synthesizer, and guitar on his “HiStory” album despite not being a skilled musician in any one genre. Michael typically “beatboxed” his tunes rather than writing them down in a usual manner so that they might be recorded and used in a studio later.
His Father
Jackson’s musical path was greatly influenced by his family, particularly his father. His father, Joe Jackson, formed the Jackson 5, with whom he began his career as lead vocalist. Even though it was difficult at times, this experience was very important in how Michael saw the music business. Jackson’s character as an artist and performer was influenced by his father, who was a strong enforcer of rules and an excellent motivator.
Joe Jackson was their manager and was in charge of creating the group’s distinctive sound, which brought out Michael’s innate singing ability. Michael and his brothers created their distinctive dancing moves and harmonies under the direction of their father, which played a big part in the Jackson 5’s growing appeal.
From a youthful prodigy in the Jackson 5 to a legendary and significant solo artist, Michael changed throughout time. Throughout his great career, the knowledge and experience he earned from his time in the band, together with the constant influence of his father, were crucial.
Understanding Michael Jackson’s musical heritage requires acknowledging the foundation built by his family, especially his father, even though it was his unique genius and unwavering dedication to his craft that made him the renowned artist he was.
Instruments Michael Jackson Played
Though not frequently, Michael Jackson was known to play the piano and keyboards. He played keyboards on his ninth studio album, “History,” which was released in 1995. He was surrounded by accomplished musicians throughout his career, including members of his own family, which may have added to his comfort level with keyboards and the piano.
He performed on the same CD using a guitar as an additional instrument. Michael Jackson could play the guitar, however not to the level of a virtuoso. As with his piano and keyboard experiences, he received credit for playing guitar on his album “HiStory.”
Michael Jackson also performed on percussion and drums. He was able to learn the fundamentals of these instruments because of his innate sense of rhythm. He received credit for playing both drums and percussion on the “HIStory” album.
Michael has a deep awareness of music despite his inability to read or write music. His remarkable talent for leading musicians through the performance of song segments allowed him to compose music.
It is important to remember, though, that although he wasn’t particularly good at playing these instruments, he nonetheless used them to create his own unique musical style.
Michael Jackson: The Songwriter and Producer
Songwriting Process
Known as the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson possessed exceptional talent as a singer, songwriter, and producer. Throughout his career, he wrote more than 200 songs, many of which went on to become major singles, including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller,” “Dirty Diana,” “Bad,” and more.
Jackson had a very unusual approach to writing songs; he would frequently start by composing the song’s chord structure and rhythm in his mind before moving on to the vocal melody and lyrics. As a result, he was able to produce some of the most recognizable and unforgettable soundscapes in popular music history.
It’s interesting to note that he frequently used beatboxing, vocalizing, and layering to record musical ideas in order to produce a full-track demo.
Pop, rock, R&B, and funk were just a few of the many genres that Michael Jackson’s compositions were recognized for, all while always pushing boundaries. He continued to produce appealing compositions while introducing intricacy and inventiveness into his music during the course of his career.
Production Techniques
Producers Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones collaborated on some of his most popular albums, including “Thriller” and “Bad.” Jackson was also heavily involved in the production process of his albums. Together, they created state-of-the-art production methods that went into creating his hit songs’ revolutionary soundscapes.
Jackson’s hallmark producing method was layering different vocal recordings together to provide a fuller sound that might give the impression that his voice was all around them. Songs like “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” feature this. Intricate string arrangements were another common characteristic of Michael Jackson’s songs, which gave his compositions more depth.
Michael Jackson included cinematic elements into his shows to create a more immersive experience, drawing from his love of narrative and movies. For instance, the creative sound design of the songs “Smooth Criminal” and “Dirty Diana” amplifies the vivid visuals and feelings that are evoked.
All things considered, Michael Jackson’s skill as a songwriter and producer was crucial in creating his musical legacy. His distinct methods and imaginative vision have left a lasting impression on the music business, raising the bar for other musicians to reach.
Famous Performances and Achievements
The Moonwalk
One of Michael Jackson’s most famous acts was the Moonwalk, which made him an amazing performer. He debuted this dance move—which entailed gliding backward without appearing to raise his feet off the ground—during the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.
Jackson captivated spectators with his talent and love of dancing by doing the Moonwalk beautifully thanks to his command of rhythm and balance.
MTV
Michael Jackson was a trailblazing performer who profoundly influenced the genre of music videos. He was among the first musicians to produce intricate, story-driven music videos for MTV, a move that paved the way for further opportunities for Black musicians on the platform.
His most iconic music videos are those for “Thriller,” “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” and “Black or White,” all of which showcased his extraordinary vocal prowess and inventiveness.
Grammy Awards
Michael Jackson received multiple awards during his career for his extraordinary vocal and performance abilities. Several Grammy Awards were among these accolades; he has won 13 in all, including 8 for his album Thriller.
His remarkable vocal range, capacity for emotive vocalization, and dedication to every performance set him apart from his contemporaries and cemented his legendary standing in the business.
