There comes a time in every millennial’s life when they think to themselves, “I need to get an instrument and start a band.”
We here at The Scoop understand and relate to that sentiment and are delighted to present to you the following epic list of “Five Instruments You Need To Rock the Block.”
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The Ukulele
Big things come in small packages, as is the case with the first instrument on the list. Kaley Etzkorn, an avid member of Drury University’s “DUkes” Ukulele club explains, “A ukulele is definitely a must for any musical outfit, and not just for those seeking to form their own Twenty One Pilots cover band. “(Ukuleles) come in several different tonal ranges, from soprano all the way down to bass, many of which are electric and can be plugged into an amp. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that ukuleles aren’t just for happy, cutesy little songs. They can definitely be shredded on, so that Metallica song you’ve been dying to learn? An electric tenor ukulele is your answer.”
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The Guitar, duh!
If you don’t want to turn the dial up on your amp to 11 and shred the audience’s faces off with a Ukulele that’s cool, but why not triple the size of the instrument, add a string or two, and rock out even harder? That’s what you can get with the Guitar, which is perhaps the most practical instrument on this list. Lauren Ashley Goskie, a local Springfield, Missouri musician had some thoughts on this instrument.
“I personally find the ability to play the guitar to be extremely useful and adaptable. From the perspective of a band, the guitar is a versatile melodic instrument that fills out the group’s texture and sound. From the perspective of a solo vocalist, the guitar gives a sense of freedom. Having a portable instrument that can accompany songs allows the singer to perform solo in any location. The guitar is a very common instrument, but its sound and merits are timeless.”
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Some Sort of Rhythm Instrument
Everyone knows the famous quote, “Give me rhythm, or give me death” by some famous person no one can ever remember but the heart of the message rings true! Nothing can woo an audience like a cymbal being seductively smacked repeatedly for hours on end. Just ask Kara LePage of Blue False Indigo fame who says, “The rhythm section – It’s the driving force of the music. It keeps the tempo and can be a variety of instruments (drum kit, tambourine, shakers, ect.). In some vocally driven groups, the voice can even produce the driving rhythm in a song.”
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The Piano
John Legend, Elton John, and Lionel Richie are all great artists, but if you take away the piano they might just look like creepy men singing about people who should probably file for a restraining order. The piano is the integral instrument in a number of groups and for good reason.
“The piano functions as a timekeeper in a band and is one of the instruments that provides the foundation for harmonies”, says Nikki Anderson who has played the piano for over 16 years. “It’s also great for setting the atmosphere or bringing out the melody in slow ballad songs. One of the reasons it’s used in so many different band settings is because it’s so versatile.”
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The Didgeridoo
While this one needs a bit of explanation it does have its fans like Jacob Frost, a composition major at Drury University and a member of various musical groups over the years. “The didgeridoo has been sadly underused in contemporary rock and pop music, which is a shame, because its potential to elevate the artistic merits of a band is practically boundless. While melodically limited, the didgeridoo is the epitome of rhythmic drive; a skilled didgeridoo player can lay down a sick groove unparalleled by even the greatest funk bands. Its raspy, gravelly tone fits perfectly into the rock aesthetic and blends exquisitely with a distorted guitar or heavy metal death growl. Whether you are an indie-pop band looking for more spice to your sound, or a death metal outfit that needs to add more pop to the low end, the didgeridoo is a perfect addition to your lineup.”
There you have it, five instruments that are sure to make your band the most unique and rockin’ band around, guaranteed or your money back!
