John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, writer, and visual artist, who was influential in changing the course of music history with his experimental compositions. Synonyms that describe Cage include innovative, avant-garde, radical, unconventional, and minimalist. Cage's music was characterized by intricate soundscapes, unconventional instruments, and unconventional compositional techniques. He was a pioneer of prepared piano, which involved placing objects on the strings of a piano to alter its sound. Cage was also known for his use of chance and indeterminacy in his compositions, allowing the performers to make decisions that would result in unique and unpredictable performances. His work continues to inspire and influence contemporary music today.