If you have viewed any of our other three pages recommending how big the band should be for
other types of music, you probably noticed that we started with a large ensemble and
then suggested the instrument whose elimination would have the least disruption on the ensemble.
With cocktail jazz music, almost any instruments can mix and match.
Generally speaking, most cocktail jazz ensembles have either a piano or a guitar, or both.
Beyond that, it's pretty much up to you. Below is a table with each instrument, its
strengths, and its requirements--in terms of what instruments it needs present in the ensemble.
Keep in mind that for cocktail jazz, it is often possible to have the keyboardist
provide both the piano and bass sounds. You can use this consolidation as a cost saving
feature, or as a way of choosing one extra instrument. Keep in mind, however, that
this is only recommended when you expect little, if any, dancing. Furthermore, we never
recommend eliminating the bass when you want rock music. Finally, it's always
preferable from a musical standpoint to use a true bassist instead of a keyboardist.
The bass is an elegant and integral instrument for any ensemble, big or small.
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Instrument
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Strengths
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Other required instruments
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Piano
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- An excellent, universal instrument.
- It's hard to go wrong with the piano.
- Not a particularly mobile instrument, in case the ensemble needs
to change locations during the event.
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None
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Guitar
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- In ensembles without a piano, it's almost mandatory to have a guitar,
the other primary rhythm instrument.
- Jazz guitar is a softer, more subtle instrument than the piano. This
quality can be both good and bad, depending on your musical tastes and needs.
- When combined with piano, the guitar is best suited for traditional rhythmic-style
accompanying, which is excellent for "toe-tapping" swing music.
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None
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Bass
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- Good for when you want the music to have a beat.
- If you like more lively, energetic music, then add a bass. If there's a chance
your guests will want to dance, we encourage you to consider a bass.
- If you're considering a trio or larger, the bass should usually be one of the instruments.
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Piano or guitar
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Vocal
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- A vocalist can instantly make music more recognizable to guests, who know words of songs
much better than they do melodies of songs.
- If you want the music to be truly in the background, then you might stay away
from vocals.
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Piano
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Sax (also flute & clarinet)
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- Of all the horns, the saxophone is the most recognizable.
- The sax can add a great deal of "pizzazz" to any ensemble.
- Many of our saxophonists also play the flute and/or the clarinet, instantly giving you
a greater versatility to the band instrumentation.
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Piano or guitar
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Clarinet (also flute & sax)
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- The clarinet is good for traditional, old-time jazz, especially Dixieland and
New Orleans style music.
- The clarinet offers the jazziness of a saxophone, without being quite as loud.
- Many of our clarinetists also play the flute and/or the sax, instantly giving you
a greater versatility to the band instrumentation.
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Piano or guitar
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Flute (also clarinet & sax)
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- The flute is good for Latin and Brazilian songs, lighter jazz, and classical music.
- It is also a good option if you want some quiet classical music mixed into the song selection.
- Many of our flutists also play the clarinet and/or the sax, instantly giving you
a greater versatility to the band instrumentation.
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Piano or guitar
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Trumpet
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- A far less common horn than the saxophone.
- However, in many ways it has a much more sophisticated jazz sound than the saxophone,
which is, for lack of a better term, a more "rugged" instrument.
- The trumpet has a tremendous volume range. For energetic moments, the trumpet can
easily be played loudly. For quieter moments, a mute can be added that instantly
reduces the volume.
- Essentially, the trumpet is a softer, slightly more elegant jazz-only instrument
than its more versatile counterpart, the saxophone.
- If you want a dance band with only one horn, you're probably better off with the
saxophone, with its slightly "rawer," "rougher" sound that appeals to partygoers.
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Piano or guitar
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Trombone
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- Of the three horns, the trombone is the least common instrument.
- It is also the softest of the three, an excellent quality for very quiet events.
- A few of our trombonists also play bass, instantly giving you
a greater versatility to the band instrumentation.
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Piano or guitar
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Vibraphones
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- An unusual, and admittedly foreign, instrument to many people.
- Vibraphones are essentially a standing xylophone. The musician uses mallets, made
of woven string, to strike metal bars. When struck, these bars produce a beautiful
sound that resonates.
- This is a fantastic instrument for outdoor parties and garden events. For one, the
music carries amazingly well, seeming to float through the air. Secondly, the
vibraphones do not need amplification, which is important for venues with sound
restrictions.
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Bass
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Violin
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- Though common to classical music, the violin is less known for its jazz capabilities.
- Actually, it is a nice cross-over instrument, when you want both classical and
jazz music.
- One drawback is that jazz violin can be a bit of an acquired taste, so to a few
people, it sounds inappropriate.
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Piano
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Drums
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- Drums are essential when you really want the tempo of a song to be noticeable.
- Like the bass, if there is any possibility of dancing, then you should consider
the drums as one of the instruments.
- As the energy level of the band increases, it's easy for drums to become too loud
for your guests. This problem can for the most part be overcome if the drummer
uses only brushes and not sticks. Nevertheless, if your room is too small, then
drums may not be appropriate.
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Piano or guitar, and bass
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