Most important instrument in a band (singer, bass, funk, punk)

Laces Out Dan! · 04-17-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boo boo

^ I like this guy.

Nottingham Lace has some fantastic guitar parts.

I think Buckethead's solo stuff is very underrated, he's mostly only remembered for his bad stint with Guns N Roses, which is just lame.

I dont understand why the guy wheres a fuc.king bucket on his head...there cant be any possible explanation

Winter · 04-17-2006, 02:37 PM

Absoloutely guitar, weather it is the rythem, lead or harmonics, it still important, a guitar is the front of most bands, sure the band is lead by the drummer, and set on a bassline, but guitar is what is used to create the rythem and melodies / riffs to the song, it also imitates the vocals usually. (lead)

mosesandtherubberducky · 04-17-2006, 03:22 PM

What about bands without guitarists?

DontRunMeOver · 04-17-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

What about bands without guitarists?

There are loads, just check out non-rock genres (esp. jazz) and you find lots of examples of bands with no guitarists and most of the others are bands where the guitarist plays the least important role. In most dance-oriented bands the guitars are probably the least important instrument. I'd say that for most styles where there isn't a drumkit to drive the band forward, the vocals tend to be the main focus of the music and therefore the most important.

The guitar is most important in guitar solos...

...which are essentially the fill-in parts where the vocalist is having a little rest.

mosesandtherubberducky · 04-17-2006, 03:42 PM

^ Yeah, I play in my school's jazz band (we know one song lol) and I really have no part. The bass is more prominent than me and I just hold the rhythm with the drums and bass (but I get to exercise my chord knowledge)

ArmyofMe · 04-17-2006, 06:11 PM

Dude, the Mandolin and Beatboxing kick all other musical asses.

Winter · 04-18-2006, 02:21 AM

Whoops, sorry guys - I instantly thought rock bands, even still I think guitar is the most adaptable, and its less restricted than some other instruments.

~~Richiedude~~ · 04-19-2006, 08:00 AM

It varies depending on type of music - for example - pop music definitely vocals, metal - drums or guitar.

skiesofganymede · 04-19-2006, 07:17 PM

It's said that the litmus test for any song is whether it can be stripped back to vocals and say an acoustic guitar and still be good. I think in composing a song (for rock/alternative/folk/even pop), definately guitar and vocals (or keys/piano and vocals) equally...because it's the interraction between them that creates a song...

Drums especially in heavier genres, drive the song. Gosh, the guitars and bass can almost become percussion instruments themselves in alot of metal/hardcore bands (with the exception of solos). Who knows what note you're playing when you're that heavily de-tuned. So I guess drums is most important in those cases.

And poor bass, always forgotten. But as a former bassist (former, because the bass is heavy and I'm scrawny and weak), I have an appreciation for this instrument. Only other bassists can really pick out the notes, but it can sway the whole tone of a song, can really pull the vocals and guitar in different directions, can go with the guitars and give it weight, or maybe clash, or take an unexpected harmony a make people a little uncomfortable...and they're not quite sure why.

Plus, what other instrument will token chicks play in male dominated genres? (okay that was a joke...but it's kind of true).

Merkaba · 04-19-2006, 10:08 PM

^ I like your signature. Well said, whoever it's from.

I have to say drums simply because it sets the underlying and overall pace/mood. A guitarist can play as fast as he likes but the effect and how it comes across is determined by the beat of the drums. I actually think bass is really important but drums can imitate bass rather well too so they cancel each other out.

Pelican kicks so much arse, they're an instrumental band, therefore vocals are out the window.

Why aren't spoons on the list.

View Poll Results: whats the most important instrument in a band
guitar	28	28.57%
bass	18	18.37%
drums	35	35.71%
vocal	14	14.29%
piano/keyboard	3	3.06%
Voters: 98. You may not vote on this poll

04-17-2006, 03:22 PM	#53 (permalink)
mosesandtherubberducky butt say x Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: so i read the question as "Where YOU live" which was kinda funny instead of "Where you live" Posts: 1,649	What about bands without guitarists? __________________ Can I have a youtube video for a sig? There's a thing that says "Wrap [YOUTUBE] tags around selected text"

04-17-2006, 03:42 PM	#55 (permalink)
mosesandtherubberducky butt say x Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: so i read the question as "Where YOU live" which was kinda funny instead of "Where you live" Posts: 1,649	^ Yeah, I play in my school's jazz band (we know one song lol) and I really have no part. The bass is more prominent than me and I just hold the rhythm with the drums and bass (but I get to exercise my chord knowledge) __________________ Can I have a youtube video for a sig? There's a thing that says "Wrap [YOUTUBE] tags around selected text"

04-17-2006, 06:11 PM	#56 (permalink)
ArmyofMe mhmm Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: ummm... Posts: 72	Dude, the Mandolin and Beatboxing kick all other musical asses. __________________ bah..

04-19-2006, 07:17 PM	#59 (permalink)
skiesofganymede Groupie Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 29	It's said that the litmus test for any song is whether it can be stripped back to vocals and say an acoustic guitar and still be good. I think in composing a song (for rock/alternative/folk/even pop), definately guitar and vocals (or keys/piano and vocals) equally...because it's the interraction between them that creates a song... Drums especially in heavier genres, drive the song. Gosh, the guitars and bass can almost become percussion instruments themselves in alot of metal/hardcore bands (with the exception of solos). Who knows what note you're playing when you're that heavily de-tuned. So I guess drums is most important in those cases. And poor bass, always forgotten. But as a former bassist (former, because the bass is heavy and I'm scrawny and weak), I have an appreciation for this instrument. Only other bassists can really pick out the notes, but it can sway the whole tone of a song, can really pull the vocals and guitar in different directions, can go with the guitars and give it weight, or maybe clash, or take an unexpected harmony a make people a little uncomfortable...and they're not quite sure why. Plus, what other instrument will token chicks play in male dominated genres? (okay that was a joke...but it's kind of true). __________________ Punk is an ideology, not a haircut.

04-17-2006, 02:37 PM	#52 (permalink)
Winter Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Darkest Coldest Place Posts: 94	Absoloutely guitar, weather it is the rythem, lead or harmonics, it still important, a guitar is the front of most bands, sure the band is lead by the drummer, and set on a bassline, but guitar is what is used to create the rythem and melodies / riffs to the song, it also imitates the vocals usually. (lead)

04-18-2006, 02:21 AM	#57 (permalink)
Winter Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Darkest Coldest Place Posts: 94	Whoops, sorry guys - I instantly thought rock bands, even still I think guitar is the most adaptable, and its less restricted than some other instruments.

04-19-2006, 08:00 AM	#58 (permalink)
~~Richiedude~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Syracuse NY Posts: 20	It varies depending on type of music - for example - pop music definitely vocals, metal - drums or guitar.

04-19-2006, 10:08 PM	#60 (permalink)
Merkaba Whitewater! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,885	^ I like your signature. Well said, whoever it's from. I have to say drums simply because it sets the underlying and overall pace/mood. A guitarist can play as fast as he likes but the effect and how it comes across is determined by the beat of the drums. I actually think bass is really important but drums can imitate bass rather well too so they cancel each other out. Pelican kicks so much arse, they're an instrumental band, therefore vocals are out the window. Why aren't spoons on the list. __________________ She thinks I'm a reclusive genius, she's going to be very disappointed when she finds out i'm a reclusive wanker