Band musicians are individuals who play musical instruments and contribute to the performance of music by a group of musicians. Musicians may play one or more instruments that make them valuable to the overall sound desired by the songwriter or bandleader. Some band musicians play with the same band on a regular basis while others use their talents to contribute to many bands via recordings or live performances. The types of instruments played by musicians in bands often depend upon the style of music being played.
Music can be played by a single person with a lone instrument, but it is often played by several people all at once, complementing each other with the unique timbres of the instruments that they play. Certain instruments seem to join together in a harmonious way, as when a bass guitar joins with drums to create a rhythm to a song. As a result, band musicians must have the ability to use their individual talents to contribute to the overall quality of a song.
There are many different types of bands that are in need of band musicians. Big bands and orchestras play the type of ornate music that requires musicians from practically all of the four main musical families, including brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion. More rhythmic music like rock and roll or rhythm and blues can be played by a small combination of musicians. Many rock bands, for example, are comprised of just a singer, lead guitarist, bass guitarist, and drummer.
No matter what kind of band they inhabit, band musicians can be useful in a number of tasks. Some bands are built strictly for performance purposes, meaning that the musicians come together to play concerts and other showcases in front of an audience. Other bands also concentrate on making recordings of their music. Many popular bands require musicians to both record material and then recreate it on stage in live performance.
In most cases, there are many qualities that band musicians must possess, although these qualities often depend upon what is required of them. Using rock bands as an example once again, a lead guitarist might be called upon to play intricate solos while the singer entertains the audience in concert with charismatic lead performances. By contrast, the bass guitarist often receives little of the spotlight, but he or she is still a crucial part of the overall sound of the band.