Number of Pieces vs Number of People

[Bodeanly]

So, say you're in a band. This band has four members. Only three of these members play an instrument; the fourth member sings and plays no instrument. Are you a three piece? Or are you a four piece.

Take, for example, Stone Temple Pilots. Four people. Three piece? Four piece?

Thanks.

 

[RustyAxe]

Number of bodies on stage. I don't know Stone Temple Pilots from the London Symphony ...

 

[sean_on_bass]

Agreed, number of folks physically on the stage. Singers definitely count....the voice is an instrument after all.

 

[DirtDog]

Whomever brings the PA apparently counts for two! ;-)

 

[rufus.K]

That's a four piece

 

[kjones]

But do you just count musicians, or do you count the drummer?

 

[lfmn16]

But do you just count musicians, or do you count the drummer?

Well if you are only counting musicians, then you can't count the singer either!

I always say I play in a three piece band with a singer, but I wouldn't call someone wrong who said it was a four piece band.

 

[mellowinman]

In my last band, I played keyboards, guitar, harp, bass, percussion and sang lead vocals, as well as owning the PA.

Strangely, I counted as ONE GUY.
We were a four piece.

 

[Michael B]

Well if you are only counting musicians, then you can't count the singer either!

I always say I play in a three piece band with a singer, but I wouldn't call someone wrong who said it was a four piece band.

Yoir singer says he/she performs a show. You are just part of the backing band.

 

[walterw]

Take, for example, Stone Temple Pilots. Four people. Three piece? Four piece?

your question contains its own answer!

a good as they were, STP was never worth a damn without scott wieland, that was their curse. by definition that was a four-piece band.

 

[Max Blasto]

Tricky question, but not for the obvious reason.

Vox is an intrument.

Therefore, Zep was a four piece. But wait! JPJ also played keys, mandolin, and guitar. Robert Plant played Harmonica. I know, but yes, Harmonica is an instrument. Trouble is, with these guys, they only did one thing at a time.

Okay, let's take a better example: Rush - three musicians, but the guitarist and bassist play keys either with their feet or fingers, and the drummer does the same with sticks. While they play the traditional guitar, bass, and drums. Three guys, lotta instuments.

In traditional combos, each musician does one thing. In modern combos, the options are quite a bit more open. I think the word "piece" doesn't work like it used to for modern music. So my definition rests on number of musicians on stage.

No, not dancers, thank you. Musicians.

 

[Nev375]

A band is a group of people who create music.

No matter how many instruments there are, they won't play themselves.

That's why a band is counted by the people that makes up its pieces.

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

I played guitar in a band with a drummer, whom the bassist and I thought was borderline schizophrenic.
We sometimes counted him as two people.

 

[Pudge Fish]

Tricky question, but not for the obvious reason.

Vox is an intrument.

This seems a no-brainer. I get that not all singers work at it, especially at the bar-band level, but to not consider a vocalist a musician is bad form.

I've worked with a couple of vocalists who work hard. From constant humming and doing vocal exercises, working to get an extra note or two beyond their range, learning proper technique to not destroy the vocal cords, and so much more. It's hard work for those who take it seriously, just like any other instrument.

 

[Artobass]

The voice is an instrument as well. It can be off pitch just like a guitar or bass. STP was a 4 piece band.

 

[bolophonic]

This is one of the weirdest queries I've seen on TB. OP, do you really go around referring to bands with four members as a "three-piece" band? My knee-jerk reaction to that would be to advise against doing that. It doesn't really sound good.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I've never heard Sabbath or Zeppelin called a trio.

 

[Bodeanly]

This is one of the weirdest queries I've seen on TB. OP, do you really go around referring to bands with four members as a "three-piece" band? My knee-jerk reaction to that would be to advise against doing that. It doesn't really sound good.

Nope. We fired one of our guitarists and someone looked confused when we told him that we were now only a four piece. I was just making sure. Thanks for assuming.

 

[bolophonic]

Nope. We fired one of our guitarists and someone looked confused when we told him that we were now only a four piece. I was just making sure. Thanks for assuming.

I asked a question.

 

[Bow tie]

I often describe our band as a "4 piece with a singer" when the venue is small. In small places I would always get the follow up of "how loud is your 5 piece?". Whereas they seem to think a 4 piece might work.
Might be my imagination.