How many pieces should be in a band?

[Mystic Michael]

Yet I still want the capacity to go soft if the lyrics I create demand it

That isn't a function of band size. It's a function of musicianship.

MM

 

[Mystic Michael]

What about a keyboardist/singer? Is keyboard one of those of those things you can sing while playing without too much difficulty? I'm really a noob when comes to anything outside of bass and guitar.

I'm not into the particular sub-genre(s) of rock that you are, so I can't comment on it specifically. But in general terms, keyboards brings a wealth of possibilities to the musical table, in terms of composition (in the case of original music), and even just arrangement (in the case of cover tunes). And yes, since keyboards are chordal instruments, as with guitar it is somewhat more straightforward for one to sing while simultaneously playing - mainly due to the ability to hit and hold a chord, without having to continually think about a moving part while one is singing. (The necessity of playing a moving part is a major reason why playing the bass while simultaneously singing can be very difficult.)

Personally, I've always thought that a four-piece, consisting of drums/percussion, bass, keyboards & guitar presents the ideal formula for performing nearly any genre of music. It's compact, yet highly flexible.

No more than one guitarist in a band at one time for me. That much is for sure...

MM

 

[Joe Nerve]

As many as can get along with each other, and sound good. IME that's usually 3.

 

[Janzmeister]

As many as can get along with each other, and sound good. IME that's usually 3.

Yeah, the more replies I get I lean more and more toward the power trio, but I still wouldn't mind the fullness a of a keyboardist. Whatever, I'll most likely pick members as I find them till I get a good set.

Speaking of power trios who likes Thousand Foot Krutch?

 

[bigsnaketex]

It seems like when the money goes six ways you need to be getting pretty good gigs to be able to sustain, unless y'all have outside jobs.

Money is always a problem.

I'm in 3 gigging bands and don't take any money out of the tip jar or from the door or fee from any of them because I've been blessed with a great job my entire life and play because I love it.

We've got one other person in another of my bands that does the same thing. Most of the other folks are either college students who are used to being poor or true musicians in their 40's that are still trying to "make a living" playing music.

It most assuredly doesn't work well for them (meaning they starve to death and need rides a lot!) They are welcome to all the money we make because they are very talented and make everying work.

BUT....money can be a cause of great division within a band if everyone is not in agreement.

The message here is however many you get, y'all had best make sure all the money stuff is done up front.....because they is never enough playing bars and festivals.

Good Luck and God Speed!

 

[Batmensch]

42.

42!?!?!?

 

[zachoff]

I'm most fond of the trio & prefer a band not have a "lead singer" that doesn't play another instrument, but there are quite a few exceptions to this.

 

[duff beer]

Personally, I've always thought that a four-piece, consisting of drums/percussion, bass, keyboards & guitar presents the ideal formula for performing nearly any genre of music. It's compact, yet highly flexible.

This is the lineup of one of my bands. We play Billy Joel, Neil Young, Dire Straits, SRV, Deep Purple, Tom Petty, Elton John, Barenaked Ladies, U2...

 

[SquierJazz72]

It depends.

For a cover band, I would say the least it takes to accurately recreate the majority of the music you'll be playing.

For an originals band, my preference is a tight trio format, if someone is also capable of doubling on vocals. Otherwise, four but with the instrumental core still being bass, drums, and one guitar, with a singer whose only concern is to sing.

 

[Janzmeister]

For an originals band, my preference is a tight trio format, if someone is also capable of doubling on vocals. Otherwise, four but with the instrumental core still being bass, drums, and one guitar, with a singer whose only concern is to sing.

So many good replies, and yes I wouldn't mind cutting another share for someone to be solely responsible for the vocals. I'm speaking of original btw

 

[lowfreq33]

We're a 4 piece. Drums, lead guitar, female vox/acoustic, male vox/bass. I wouldn't mind having a keys/utility player, but the extra split isn't worth it. We travel, so a fifth person would mean an extra hotel room, too many people in an SUV, more gear/luggage in the trailer...

There are bands on our same circuit with 6 or 7 people, and they tend to play redundant roles... Do you really need that third guitarist? Most of these clubs have a set fee for all the bands, so I honestly don't know how these folks make any money.

 

[BenBL]

Well with a 5 piece (drums, guitar, bass, piano, female vocals) you can do stuff like this: https://soundcloud.com/sattelites_for_stars/power-sound

but I'd say anywhere from 3-6 for a simple rock band and add players for however many horns that you want.

 

[Janzmeister]

There are bands on our same circuit with 6 or 7 people, and they tend to play redundant roles... Do you really need that third guitarist?

I know what you mean, I see two or even sometimes three guys playing the same riff and it seems so pointless to me, what is the point of that anyway?

 

[Fat Steve]

I always thought four was a decent rock band number; bass, drummer, lead guitar, and a rhythm guitar. Preferably the bass or rhythm guitar sings, and if no one can sing bring in a fifth, and have them designated as the singer.

IMO anything over five looks silly. Two is my minimum (White Stripes, Black Keys, Middle Class Rut), but one person recording all the tracks solo then bringing other musicians on tour is cool (Nine Inch Nails).

Both bands I'm in have 7. One is a funk/punk group with 2 guitars, trumpet, sax, drums, bass and vocals (5 of us sing backup).

The other is an Americana group with banjo/guitar/vocalist, mandolin/guitar/vocalist, keys/guitarist, upright bass, trumpet, and two percussionists.

Then again, we're in southern California, so we all work day jobs and would never expect to try and live off of the 1/7 cut we receive from a show (as rare as is it is to get paid around here). That would just be silly.

 

[Nev375]

As few as possible. But no less than that

 

[DoggBisket]

This is as good as asking "what kind of picks should I use"? It's entirely up to you and your needs/intentions.

What is the best pick for metal?

 

[verycoolname]

Both bands I'm in have 7. One is a funk/punk group with 2 guitars, trumpet, sax, drums, bass and vocals (5 of us sing backup).

The other is an Americana group with banjo/guitar/vocalist, mandolin/guitar/vocalist, keys/guitarist, upright bass, trumpet, and two percussionists.

I gotta say, those lineups definitely sound cool (despite my general distaste for large bands), especially the funk/punk one. In my post I was disregarding horn sections etc., which I consider separate entities from the "band". And how to you deal with two percussionists?! I know they're different than full blown drummers, but still.

Also: thought it's worth mentioning that at full power my bluegrass jam band has three guitarists, a bassist (me), a banjo, two mandolins, and a vocalist...so I'm kind of a hypocrite.

 

[lowfreq33]

I gotta say, those lineups definitely sound cool (despite my general distaste for large bands), especially the funk/punk one. In my post I was disregarding horn sections etc., which I consider separate entities from the "band". And how to you deal with two percussionists?! I know they're different than full blown drummers, but still.

Also: thought it's worth mentioning that at full power my bluegrass jam band has three guitarists, a bassist (me), a banjo, two mandolins, and a vocalist...so I'm kind of a hypocrite.

Yeah, but unlike most musicians, grassers usually know how to back off when it's not their turn.

 

[jazzbill]

My band plays with 3 to 9 players depending on the gig. The core is always 1.guitar/vocals. 2. Bass 3. Drums. Usually we have #4. trombone/backup vocal sometimes sax
Frequently we have 5. add fiddle/backup vocal
Sometimes we add:
6,7,8,9 in any combination: pedal steel, second horn, guest guitarist, third horn, or percussion.

 

[verycoolname]

Yeah, but unlike most musicians, grassers usually know how to back off when it's not their turn.

Haha, very true. Probably why I'm more comfortable there than with rock bands I've been in. In bluegrass people are okay with just playing chords in the background and taking turns playing the lead (in my experience).