Different Types of Music Bands
Types of Music Bands
A musical band or music band is a group of instrumental musicians. Generally, it comprises of a drummer, bass guitarist and a lead vocalist.
The drummer is the heart of a rock band and holds a central role in defining its sound. Many drummers go on to become bandleaders or music directors.
Wind Ensemble
The wind ensemble is made up of the most advanced woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. In a simple way it can be thought of as an orchestra without the strings and with saxophones added. The saxophones are the middle register harmonies and help to fill out the sound of the band. The woodwind parts are usually one player to a part – except the clarinets, which may have two players per part for balance or tone purposes.
The early Nineteen Fifties saw the advent of Fredrick Fennell’s world-famous Eastman Wind Ensemble, made up of hand-picked college students at the Eastman School of Music. Since then there has been a large collection of artistic works composed for bands of evolving capability by an array of respected composers.
Educational wind ensembles often lead the way in commissioning new music, a trend that is fuelling the growth of concert bands as serious, respected forms of musical expression. This is a very welcome trend that allows the musical ideas of young people to be explored in ensembles that are not held back by centuries of tradition.
Chamber Groups
A chamber group, such as a string quartet or woodwind quintet, allows musicians to focus on their own individual parts and interpretation of the music. This opens up a new world of creativity and musicianship, but requires communication and leadership to maintain an efficient rehearsal and push toward a solid performance.
A string quartet can focus on intonation and harmony, while a woodwind quintet can work on the more delicate parts of the piece, such as double reed passages. This gives each player the opportunity to focus on a specific musical challenge and overcome it.
Performing in a small group is also very exciting for students, and will often reduce their stage fright at school concerts or recitals. Creating these smaller groups in your studio will allow students to practice playing with other musicians, improve faster and have more fun along the way! This type of learning will set them up for success in all musical settings.
Concert Band
A concert band, sometimes known as a wind ensemble, symphonic wind band, wind symphony, or wind orchestra, is a group that performs a wide range of musical genres. It spotlights woodwind instruments like flutes, clarinets, and oboes, brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones, and percussion instruments like snare drums and xylophones. The combination of these instruments cultivates a dynamic and resonant sound that sets it apart from other ensemble types.
A euphonium is an example of a unique instrument in a concert band. Its sound is dramatic and somber, yet it can also be flashy and bright. Composers have embraced the instrument as a way to highlight the distinct timbre of its individual parts.
Students in a concert band learn the importance of teamwork and collaboration. They must practice regularly and attend rehearsals in addition to their academic and extracurricular obligations. This commitment builds discipline and time management skills that benefit students in their daily lives.
Symphonic Orchestra
The symphonic orchestra is the largest form of instrumental ensemble. It consists of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion players, arranged into sections that focus on each group’s sound characteristics. The orchestra is typically led by a conductor, who directs the performance with movements of his arms and hands, made easier for the musicians to see with the use of a short wooden rod known as a baton.
Most professional orchestras are part of larger arts organizations and receive some government subsidies, which is an important source of revenue along with ticket sales, charitable donations and other fundraising activities. Some are even able to leverage their image as purveyors of high art and earn more patronage.
The name “orchestra” is derived from the Greek word orkhestra, which means the circular part of the theatre where the Greek chorus would dance and sing. The orchestra was a prominent feature of the ancient Greek theater and it has been an integral part of Western classical music ever since.