musical ensemble

This article may contain references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. (February 2010)

This article needs additional removed. (January 2010)

A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal drum kit.

Contents 1 Classical chamber music 1.1 Four parts 1.1.1 Strings 1.1.2 Wind 1.2 Five parts 1.3 Six or more instruments 2 Jazz ensembles 2.1 Three parts 2.2 Four parts 2.3 Larger ensembles 3 Rock and pop bands 3.1 Two parts 3.1.1 Example line-up 3.2 Three parts 3.2.1 Example line-up 3.3 Four parts 3.3.1 Example line-ups 3.4 Five parts 3.4.1 Line-up 3.5 Larger rock ensembles 3.5.1 Example line-up 4 Musical drama 5 Other western musical ensembles 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Classical chamber music

In Western classical music, smaller ensembles are called Latin numerical prefixes). A solo is not an ensemble because it only contains one musician.

[edit] Four parts

[edit] Strings

A string quartet usually consists of two double bass.

[edit] Wind

A woodwind quartet usually features a bass clarinet and a trombone.

[edit] Five parts

The string quintet is a common type of group. It is similar to the string quartet, but with two violas, two cellos, or more rarely, the addition of a double bass. Terms such as “Clarinet Quintet is similarly a piece written for an ensemble consisting of 2 violins, a viola, a cello and a clarinet, the last being the exceptional addition to a “normal” string quartet.

Other common groupings in classical music are the french horn, a trombone and a tuba.

[edit] Six or more instruments

Classical chamber ensembles of six (sextet), seven (septet), or eight musicians (octet) are fairly common; use of latinate terms for larger groups is rare. In most cases a larger classical group is referred to as an orchestra of some type. A small orchestra with fifteen to thirty members (violins, violas, cellos, double basses, and several woodwind or brass instruments) is called a chamber orchestra. In the American education system, sitting groups are known as wind ensembles or concert bands (to differentiate from marching bands). Music is similar to that of a pops orchestra, orchestrated for woodwinds, brass, and percussion. A sinfonietta usually denotes a somewhat smaller orchestra (though still not a chamber orchestra). Larger orchestras are called symphony orchestras (see below) or philharmonic orchestras.^[1]

A string orchestra has only string instruments, i.e., violins, violas, cellos and double basses.

A symphony orchestra is an ensemble usually comprising at least thirty musicians; the number of players is typically between seventy and ninety-five and may exceed one hundred. A symphony orchestra is divided into families of instruments. In the brass family (horns, trumpets, trombones, euphonium and tuba). The percussion family includes the timpani, bass drum, snare drum, and any other percussion instruments called for in a score (e.g., triangle, glockenspiel, chimes, cymbals, wood blocks).

When orchestras are performing theremin, or even an electronic synthesizer may be used.

[edit] Jazz ensembles

[edit] Three parts

In jazz guitarist). In organ trios, the Hammond organ player performs the bass line on the organ bass pedals while simultaneously playing chords or lead lines on the keyboard manuals. Other types of trios include the “drummer-less” trio, which consists of a piano player, a double bassist, and a horn (saxophone or trumpet) or guitar player; and the jazz trio with a horn player (saxophone or trumpet), double bass player, and a drummer. In the latter type of trio, the lack of a chordal instrument means that the horn player and the bassist have to imply the changing harmonies with their improvised lines.

[edit] Four parts

Jazz quartets typically add a horn (the generic jazz name for saxophones, trombones, trumpets, or any other wind instrument commonly associated with jazz) to one of the jazz trios described above. Slightly larger jazz ensembles, such as quintets (five instruments) or sextets (six instruments) typically add other soloing instruments to the basic quartet formation, such as different types of saxophones (e.g., alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, etc.) or an additional chordal instrument.

[edit] Larger ensembles

The lineup of larger jazz ensembles can vary considerably, depending on the style of jazz being performed. In a 1920s-style dixieland jazz band, a larger ensemble would be formed by adding a banjo player, woodwind instruments, as with the clarinet, or additional horns (saxophones, trumpets, trombones) to one of the smaller groups. In a 1940s-style Swing big band, a larger ensemble is formed by adding “sections” of like instruments, such as a saxophone section and a trumpet section, which perform arranged “horn lines” to accompany the ensemble. In a 1970s-style jazz fusion ensemble, a larger ensemble is often formed by adding additional percussionists or sometimes a saxophone player would “double” or “triple” meaning that they would also be proficient at the clarinet, flute or both. Also by the addition of soloing instruments.

[edit] Rock and pop bands

[edit] Two parts

Two-member rock and pop bands are relatively rare, because of the difficulty in providing all of the musical elements which are part of the rock or pop sound (vocals, chords, bass lines, and percussion or drumming) with trios or quartets. Two-member rock and pop bands typically omit one of these musical elements. In many cases, two-member bands will omit a drummer, since guitars, bass guitars, and keyboards can all be used to provide a rhythmic pulse. Examples of two-member bands are Japandroids, Ween (until 1994), The Lightning Strikers, Local H, Pet Shop Boys, Hella, Flight of the Conchords, Death from Above 1979, Francis Xavier, I Set My Friends On Fire, Middle Class Rut, The Pity Party, Little Fish (band), The White Stripes, Big Business, Two Gallants, Lightning Bolt, The Ting Tings, The Black Box Revelation, Satyricon, The Black Keys, Tenacious D, They Might Be Giants (until 1992), Simon and Garfunkel, Hall & Oates, Johnossi and The Pack A.D..

When electronic Tears for Fears, were not actually two-piece ensembles, because other instrumental musicians were used “behind the scenes” to fill out the sound.

Two-piece bands in rock music are quite rare. However, starting in the 2000s, blues-influenced rock bands such as The White Stripes and The Black Keys utilized a guitar and drums scheme. However, this is predated by the Flat Duo Jets from the ’80s. Death From Above 1979 featured a drummer and bass guitarist. Tenacious D is a two-guitar band; One Day as a Lion and The Dresden Dolls both feature a keyboardist and a drummer. The band Welk consists of a two-man psychedelic flute band, with the occasional synthesizer. Two-person bands have grown in popularity in experimental rock music. W.A.S.P. guitarist Doug Blair is also known for his work in the two-piece progressive rock band signal2noise, where he manages to be the lead guitarist and bassist at the same time, thanks to a special custom instrument he invented (an electric guitar with five regular guitar strings paired with three bass guitar strings). Heisenflei of Los Angeles duo The Pity Party plays drums, keyboards, and sings simultaneously. Providence-based Lightning Bolt is a two-member band. Bassist Brian Gibson augments his playing with delay pedals, pitch shifters, looping devices and other pedals, occasionally creating harmony. Local H, Blood Red Shoes, PS I Love You, The Redmond Barry’s and Warship are other prominent two-person experimental rock bands.

[edit] Example line-up

• Lead vocals, Bass, Guitar
• Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Keyboard, Guitar
• Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Bass, Drum machine
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals, Drum machine

or

• Lead vocals, Guitar
• Bass Guitar, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Keyboards
• Lead Vocals, Bass

or

• Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar
• Drums, Keyboards

[edit] Three parts

The smallest ensemble that is commonly used in rock music is the trio format. In a hard rock or blues-rock band, or heavy metal rock group, a “power trio” format is often used, which consists of an electric guitar player, an electric bass guitar player and a drummer, and typically one or more of these musicians also sing (sometimes all three members will sing, e.g. Bee Gees or Alkaline Trio). Some well-known power trios with the guitarist on lead vocals are The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Nirvana, the original line-up of Green Day, Violent Femmes, Gov’t Mule, The Minutemen, Triumph, Shellac, Sublime, Chevelle, Muse, The Jam, Short Stack, ZZ Top, Rush, and the original lineup of Wolfmother.^[2] A handful of others with the bassist on vocals include Primus, Motörhead, The Police, The Melvins, Blue Cheer, Rush, The Presidents of the United States of America, Venom, and Cream. Some power trios feature two lead vocalists, both of which play their respective instruments. For example, in the band blink-182 vocals are split between bassist Mark Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge, or in the band Dinosaur Jr., guitarist J. Mascis is the primary songwriter and vocalist, but bassist Lou Barlow writes some songs and sings as well.

An alternative to the power trio are Big Black.

A power trio with the guitarist on lead vocals is popular record company lineup, as the guitarist and singer will usually be the songwriter. Therefore you only have to present one face to the public, the backing band is easy to house, and the songs will likely stay simple and accessible as the frontman will have to sing and play guitar at the same time.

[edit] Example line-up

• Lead vocals, Guitar
• Backing Vocals, Bass
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Lead guitar
• Bass guitar, Keyboards
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Keyboards
• Lead guitar
• Bass guitar

or

• Lead vocals, Bass guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals

or

• Bass guitar, Lead vocals, Backing vocals
• Lead guitar, Lead vocals, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Backing vocals, Bass guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion, Lead vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Lead guitar
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals, Harmonica
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals,
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals

[edit] Four parts

The four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. Before the development of the electronic keyboard, the configuration was typically two guitarists (one lead guitarist and one rhythm guitarist, with the latter on vocals), a bassist (typically the electric bass guitar) and a drummer (e.g. The Beatles, KISS, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Metallica, The Clash, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Kinks, Green Day, The Fray, Sonic Youth, The Smashing Pumpkins, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Against Me!, and the new lineup of Wolfmother^[2]). This is popular with bands for its versatility.

Another common formation was a vocalist, electric guitarist, bass guitarist, and a drummer (e.g.The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Ramones, Sex Pistols, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., Blur, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Stone Roses, Creed, Black Sabbath, Van Halen, Rage Against the Machine, The Stooges, Joy Division, and U2. Instrumentally, these bands can be considered as trios. This format is popular with new bands, as there are only two instruments that need tuning, the line-and-counterpoint formula prevalent with their material is easy to learn, four members are commonplace to work with, the roles are clearly defined and generally are: melody line, rhythm section with counterpoint melody, and vocals on top.

Some bands, such as Phoenix, who follow the same format.

In some early rock bands, keyboardists were used, performing on piano (e.g. Blind Faith).

Some bands will have the bassist on lead vocals, such as The Four Seasons, have a lead vocalist, a lead guitarist, a keyboard player, and a bassist, with the drummer not being a member of the band.

[edit] Example line-ups

• Lead vocals
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Keyboards, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Bass guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Keyboards
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Piano, Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals, Keyboards, Harmonica
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocal, Bass guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Lead guitar
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Keyboards
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Keyboards/Piano
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals,
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Keyboards/Piano, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead Guitar, Vocals
• Saxophone, Vocals
• Rhythm Guitar
• Drums

[edit] Five parts

Five-piece bands have existed in rock music since early times. The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, AC/DC, Oasis, Pearl Jam, Guns N’ Roses, Radiohead, The Strokes, Styx, The Yardbirds, 311 and The Hives are examples of the common vocalist, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums lineup. An alternative to the five-member lineup replaces the rhythm guitarist with a keyboard–synthesizer player (examples being the bands Journey, Nightwish, Maroon 5, Elbow, Dream Theater, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Kasabian, The Zombies, The Animals, Bon Jovi, Yes, Snow Patrol, Fleetwood Mac, Marilyn Manson and Deep Purple, all of which consist of a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, and a drummer) or with a turntablist such as Hed PE, Incubus or Limp Bizkit. Alternatives include a keyboardist, guitarist, drummer, bassist, and saxophonist, such as The Sonics and Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. Another alternative is three guitarists, a bassist and a drummer, such as Radiohead, Foo Fighters (2010-today) and The Byrds. Some five-person bands feature two guitarists, a keyboardist, a bassist and a drummer, with one or more of these musicians (typically one of the guitarists) handling lead vocals on top of their instrument (examples being Children of Bodom, Sturm und Drang, Relient K and Ensiferum). In some cases, typically in cover bands, one musician plays either rhythm guitar or keyboards, depending on the song (one notable band being Firewind, with Bob Katsionis handling this particular role).

Other times, the vocalist will provide another musical voice to the table, most commonly a harmonica; Abney Park plays harmonica, accordion, and darbuka in addition to mandolin.

[edit] Line-up

• Lead vocals
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Keyboards, Piano
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Keyboards, Synthesizers
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Keyboards, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar, Piano
• Lead guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Keyboards, Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals

or

• Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar, Keyboards
• Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar, Percussion, Keyboards
• Lead guitar, Piano, Bass, Percussion
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals, Synths, Drums, Percussion
• Bass guitar, Synths
• Drums, Percussion, Backing vocal

or

• Lead vocals, Bass guitar
• Lead guitar, Keyboards
• Violin, Keyboards
• Percussion
• Drums

[edit] Larger rock ensembles

Larger bands have long been a part of rock and pop music, in part due to the influence of the “singer accompanied with orchestra” model inherited from popular Slipknot is composed of nine members, with a vocalist, two guitarists, a drummer, a bassist, two custom percussionists, a turntablist, and a sampler.

In larger groups (such as Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. More rarely, rock or pop groups will be accompanied in concerts by a full or partial symphony orchestra, where lush string-orchestra arrangements are used to flesh out the sound of slow ballads.

citation needed]

[edit] Example line-up

• Lead vocals
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion
• Keyboards

or

• Lead vocals, Guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Rhythm guitar
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Horns (anything from saxophone to a horn section)
• Keyboards, Piano
• Drums

or

• Lead vocals
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Vocals
• Drums, Percussion
• Keyboards, Piano
• Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
• DJ Turntable, Emcee, Drum machine, Sampler, Synthesizers
• Percussion

or

• Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar, Backing vocals
• Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
• Bass guitar, Backing vocals
• Drums, Percussion
• Keyboards, Piano, Backing vocals
• Pedal steel guitar, Backing vocals
• Violin, Backing vocals

The above line-up was used by Bon Jovi during the Lost Highway tour.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Musical drama

This section requires expansion. (March 2012)

Sung dramas such as operas and chorus. Such numbers (duets, trios, etc.) are also referred to as ‘ensembles’.

[edit] Other western musical ensembles

In the 20th century, the wind symphony or concert band.

A choir is a group of voices. By analogy, sometimes a group of similar instruments in a symphony orchestra are referred to as a choir. For example, the woodwind instruments of a symphony orchestra could be called the woodwind choir.

A group that plays awkward] These bands perform a wide range of music, ranging from arrangements of jazz orchestral, or popular music to military-style marches. Drum corps perform on brass and percussion instruments only. Some corps perform on bugles in the key of G, while others perform on brass instruments in multiple keys, depending on the group. Drum and Bugle Corps incorporate costumes, hats, and pageantry in their performances.

Other band types include:

• Brass bands: groups consisting of around 30 brass and percussion players;
• Jug bands;
• Mexican Guitarrón (a Mexican acoustic bass that is roughly guitar-shaped), and one or more singers.
• Ottoman military bands.

[edit] See also

• List of musical ensemble formats
• Music
• Live band karaoke
• Alexandrov ensemble
• Boy band
• All-female band
• Girl group

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Music, Historical images. From New York Public Library Digital Gallery
• Bands and Musician Listing
• Vivre Musicale
• The Harp That Once Through Tara’s Hall (Sara Banleigh at Lincoln Center)

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article musical ensemble, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.