Instruments Have Unique Personalities: Which One Should You Play?

By: Erin Lockett | November 19th, 2022

Be purposeful when choosing which instrument to play. Songs are ecosystems. Each instrument fulfills a unique purpose in a community of coexisting sounds. The key species in a band are: bass, drums, guitar, keyboard, and vocals.

Bass Guitar

The bass humbly guides the other instruments. It may go unnoticed to the average ear, but it has vital functions related to both pitch and rhythm. It bonds these elements together, creating cohesion. Bass guitar has the power to contextualize the chords by playing the lowest note. This helps listeners' ears discern the quality of each chord by interpreting the order of the notes and distances between them. The size of the spaces influences how listeners feel the chords.

Drums

Drums and bass guitars are symbiotic. They tightly interlock to create evenly spaced sounds and silence. Together, bass players and drummers create a groove by accentuating certain beats.

Guitar and Keyboard

The guitarist and keyboardist play layers of notes called chords. Chords create a narrative arc that takes shape based on the order they are heard. They are wordless storytellers. Have you ever connected to the meaning of an instrumental song? If you have, this exemplifies the complex way humans experience chords.

Vocals

The vocalist humanizes the song. They personalize the story with lyrics. Singers craft strings of single notes called melodies. They give each note its own unique character and emphasis. Vocalists are in the unique position of personifying the music. They carry on the tradition of oral story telling through song—an ancient art. Which instrumental purpose pairs with your personality?