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Five Essential Instrument Roles in a Band

There are five essential instrument roles in a band. Different instruments can perform any of these roles.

1. Lead. Either a solo instrument or a vocalist. This role can include playing the written melody and improvising. Instruments frequently take turns performing in this role, and sometimes several instruments may perform it together.
2. Comping. Chordal accompaniment may be performed by any keyboard, rhythm guitar, or other multiphonic instrument, such as vibraphone. Sections of monophonic instruments can also perform this function as a group, but generally only when there are full written arrangements.
3. Bass. The bass grounds the tune’s harmonic framework. The bass line can be played by acoustic or electric bass, or by other instruments, such as keyboard or even tuba or baritone sax.
4. Percussion. Everyone in the band must feel the time, but the drum set or lead percussion player is the final arbiter. Generally, in most bands, this role is fulfilled by the drum set, sometimes with additional hand percussionists. In other styles, there may be a group of hand percussionists only.
5. Backgrounds. Background supporting melodic parts can be performed by any pitched instrument. Each band generally has a leader, though this may change on different songs. It is the leader’s role to set the starting tempo and to make arrangement decisions, such as who solos, and when. Have students take turns leading different tunes, and don’t assume the role yourself, except in an advisory capacity, when necessary.

Each band generally has a leader, though this may change on different songs. It is the leader’s role to set the starting tempo and to make arrangement decisions, such as who solos, and when. Have students take turns leading different tunes, and don’t assume the role yourself, except in an advisory capacity, when necessary.