Band facts for kids

The Beatles performing on The Ed Sullivan Show, February 1964

In music, a band is a group of people who play musical instruments and often sing together. These groups create different kinds of music, from loud rock songs to quiet folk tunes. Bands can be small, with just a few members, or very large, with many musicians.

What is a Music Band?

A music band is usually made up of musicians who work together to perform songs or create new music. Each member often plays a different musical instrument or sings. The way a band sounds depends on the instruments they use and the style of music they play. For example, a rock band sounds very different from a brass band.

Different Kinds of Bands

There are many types of bands, each with its own unique sound and instruments. Here are some common ones:

• A rock or pop band is often a small group, usually with three to five people. They typically use one or two electric guitars, a bass guitar, a drum kit, and a singer. Famous rock bands include The Beatles and Queen.
• A brass band is a larger group, often with 20 to 30 musicians. They play only brass instruments like trumpets and trombones, along with drums. These bands often perform in parks or at special events.
• A concert band is a big group, sometimes with 20 to 60 members. They use a mix of woodwind instruments (like flutes and clarinets), brass instruments, and percussion instruments (like drums and xylophones). Concert bands usually sit down to play in concert halls.
• A marching band has instruments similar to a concert band. However, instead of sitting, they march and play music at the same time. You often see marching bands in parades or at American football games, where they perform exciting routines.
• A folk band plays traditional styles of music. These bands often use instruments like the guitar, violin, tin whistle, flute, and accordion. Some folk bands even use unique, homemade instruments like a lagerphone or a tea chest bass.
  • A lagerphone is a percussion instrument made with bottle tops that jingle when shaken.
  • A tea chest bass is a simple one-string instrument that uses a large wooden tea box to make the sound louder.