instrumentalist
Plays without singing
An instrumentalist is a musician who plays an instrument, as distinguished from a vocalist: The band featured three instrumentalists and a singer.
In philosophy, an instrumentalist treats theories or concepts as useful tools rather than descriptions of reality—holding that scientific theories need only predict outcomes, not reveal truth.
Unified group or outfit
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- sidemanSupporting band member
- sessionScheduled time for activity
band · quartet · trio · quintet · symphony · jazz · woodwind · brass
Solo musical performance
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- gigShort-term paid work
- jamCooked fruit spread
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
accompaniment · duet · ensemble · chamber · live · showcase · setlist · stage
Clear vocal expression
- dynamicsStudy of forces
- phrasingManner of expressing something
- intonationPitch variation in speech
- breath controlManaging exhalation deliberately
bowing · fingering · embouchure · tonguing · slurring · staccato · legato · vibrato
Prioritizing function over beauty
- expedientUseful if not ideal
- practicalSuited for real use
- politicalOf government matters
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
strategic · opportunistic · realpolitik · Machiavellian · transactional · cynical · manipulative · self-serving
ensemble
Unified group or outfit
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- sidemanSupporting band member
session · band · quartet · trio · quintet · symphony · jazz · woodwind · brass · strings
recital
Solo musical performance
improvisation · accompaniment · duet · ensemble · chamber · live · showcase · setlist · stage · audience
articulation
Clear vocal expression
- dynamicsStudy of forces
- phrasingManner of expressing something
- intonationPitch variation in speech
breath control · bowing · fingering · embouchure · tonguing · slurring · staccato · legato · vibrato · pizzicato
utilitarian
Prioritizing function over beauty
calculating · strategic · opportunistic · realpolitik · Machiavellian · transactional · cynical · manipulative · self-serving
prodigy
Gifted youth with rare talent
adept · artist · talent · star · brilliant · gifted · acclaimed · renowned · celebrated · legendary
- creativesartist, artists, painter, painters, illustrators
- music jobsmusician, singer, composer, songwriter, producer
- music makerssinger, songwriter, composer, musician, vocalist
- musicianspianist, guitarist, electric guitarist, bassist, vocalist
- performersactor, dancer, actress, singer, musician
- philosophersAristotle, Plato, Socrates, Kant, Descartes
instrumentalistvocalist
One who sings professionally
singer · lead singer · listener · chorister · cantor
instrumentalistidealist
Pursuer of noble principles
purist · moralist · dogmatist · absolutist · fundamentalist