musical ensembles

Orchestras and bands

Musical ensembles are groups of musicians who perform together.

The term covers everything from duets to full orchestras, though it most often suggests smaller, more intimate groupings than a symphony or choir: a jazz ensemble, a chamber ensemble.

In theater and film, the ensemble is the supporting cast who perform as a unit rather than as featured soloists.

Related

house band · boy band · girl group · choir · symphony orchestra · string quartet · trio · marching band · drum corps · quintet · brass band · sextet · jazz band · barbershop quartet · church choir · nonet · octet · military band

Categories
Opposites
group vs. individual performance

musical ensemblessoloist

Unaccompanied performer

solo artist · one-man band · solo act · singer-songwriter · busker

organized musical groups vs. uncoordinated sound

musical ensemblescacophony

Harsh, clashing sounds

noise · discord · dissonance · silence · chaos

live collaborative music vs. recorded/mechanized music

musical ensemblesbacking tracks

Pre-recorded musical accompaniment

jukebox · karaoke machine

Family

music, musical, musically, musician, musicians, musicianship, musicality, ensemble, ensembles

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G