one-man band
Solo musical ensemble
A one-man band is a street performer who plays multiple instruments simultaneously, typically using hands, feet, and various contraptions to operate drums, harmonica, guitar, and other instruments at once.
The term extends figuratively to describe any operation run entirely by a single person: She's a one-man band—handles all the marketing, sales, and accounting herself.
The phrase emphasizes self-sufficiency but can also suggest being stretched thin or lacking support.
Handheld reed wind instrument
- guitarFretted stringed instrument
- drumStruck percussion cylinder
- cymbalsClashing metal percussion
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
concertina · kazoo · tambourine · hi-hat · looping · snare · banjo · ukulele
Public-space entertainer seeking donations
- street artistCreates unauthorized public murals
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- novelty actEntertainment through strangeness
- entertainerOne who amuses others
showman · troubadour · minstrel · variety act · crowd-pleaser · passerby · pitch · busk
Without help from others
- self-reliantAble to provide independently
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- loneExisting by itself
- unassistedWithout outside help
do-it-yourself · bootstrap · indie · freelancer · solopreneur · owner-operator · self-employed · self-starter
Straps controlling an animal
- rigEquipment arrangement or vehicle
- frameSupporting outer structure
- strapsNarrow securing bands
- contraptionImprovised or odd mechanism
setup · gear · pedals · rack · stand · kit · attachments · headgear
Toss objects cyclically
- coordinateArrange for unified action
- simultaneousHappening at same time
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
- synchronizeAlign timing precisely
manage · handle · balance · timing · coordination · polyrhythm · ambidextrous · multitask
harmonica
Handheld reed wind instrument
accordion · concertina · kazoo · tambourine · hi-hat · looping · snare · banjo · ukulele · melodica
busker
Public-space entertainer seeking donations
- street artistCreates unauthorized public murals
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- novelty actEntertainment through strangeness
entertainer · showman · troubadour · minstrel · variety act · crowd-pleaser · passerby · pitch · busk
single-handed
Without help from others
- self-reliantAble to provide independently
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- loneExisting by itself
unassisted · do-it-yourself · bootstrap · indie · freelancer · solopreneur · owner-operator · self-employed · self-starter · sole proprietor
harness
Straps controlling an animal
contraption · setup · gear · pedals · rack · stand · kit · attachments · headgear
juggle
Toss objects cyclically
- coordinateArrange for unified action
- simultaneousHappening at same time
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
synchronize · manage · handle · balance · timing · coordination · polyrhythm · ambidextrous · multitask · complexity
- musical groupsbands, orchestra, orchestras, choir, choirs
- performance skillsmagic, illusions, sleight of hand, juggling, mime
- performersactor, dancer, actress, singer, musician
- Street Performersbusker, street performer, street singer, street dancer, juggler
- street performingsinging, juggling, magic tricks, miming, harmonica
- street musicbusking, busker, street performer, street bands, bucket drums
one-man bandorchestra
Large instrumental ensemble
symphony orchestra · big band · philharmonic · ensemble · choir
one-man bandcorporation
Legally separate business entity
conglomerate · collective · committee · consortium · division of labor
one-man bandspecialist
Expert in one field
virtuoso · session musician · lead guitarist · first violin · division of labor
band, disband, banded, banding, disbanding, one-man, disbanded, bandleader, disbands