Harold Rhodes
Harold Burroughs Rhodes (born December 28, 1910 in San Fernando , California , USA ; † December 17, 2000 in Canoga Park , California, USA) is the inventor of the electronic piano , one of the most important musical instruments in popular music of the 20th century. The " Fender Rhodes Electric Piano " he developed became an important part of jazz , rock , pop and soul . Whole musical styles emerged with and through this instrument, especially fusion (Miles Davis: Bitches Brew , 1970) and jazz radio (Herbie Hancock: Head Hunters , 1973).
Early years
Rhodes became aware of jazz early on through his older brother's record collection and began to play the piano. In the 1930s he became self-employed as a piano teacher and founded the Harold Rhodes School of Popular Piano in Los Angeles . So successful was his concept that by 1940 there were a number of schools spread across the United States. He developed a theory that made complex jazz improvisations in the tradition of Duke Ellington or Art Tatum learnable in just four steps, whereby the students should definitely develop their own style. Rhodes himself did not regard the invention of his electric piano as his most important work, but rather the development of his method of piano lessons.
Web links
- Fenderrhodes.com Rhodes Electric Piano Page
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Rhodes, Harold |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Rhodes, Harold Burroughs |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American inventor of the electronic piano |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 28, 1910 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | San Fernando , California , USA |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 17, 2000 |
| Place of death | Canoga Park , California, USA |