Most Needed Instruments for a Rock Band

In a rock band, there can be many instruments. The list can go on, but here is what is recommended. I based it on the band Queen. Enjoy deciding!



The Top Ten
1 Electric Guitar The electric guitar is a type of guitar that unlike an acoustic guitar, is solid body instead of hollow. They use pickups and amps to produce sound that's audible from more than a few feet. They are mainly used in rock and metal music and in those genres are commonly the main instruments. A few notable... read more

Any good rock band must have an electric guitar, especially one connected to an amp. The electric guitar turns an ordinary band into a rock band, and it adds an amazing detail to any song. If you are going to get a beginner guitar, I suggest the Stratocaster. If you are a pro, get something similar to the Epiphone les Paul Custom.

Brian May delivers many amazing parts to the song which isn't NEEDED but is GREAT to have. He is above the vocalist mostly because a band can survive without a vocalist, but can't really be a ROCK band without your main man, the guitarist.

2 Drums

In Queen, Roger Taylor is the drummer and adds that extra flavor that is needed or you have no band! Drummers are also essential because they keep the beat to the song, and they also can make sounds unlike any instrument. It may be one of the easier instruments to learn, but hard to master. They play a very important role, and don't you forget it!

The drums are the most important instrument for a rock band. It holds the beat together with the bass, and is very fun to play once you learn how to play. Heck, Led Zeppelin even BROKE UP because their drummer, John Bonham died.

3 Bass

Like John Deacon, every band needs the bassist. He is usually quiet but plays the most important roll ever: Keeping the rhythm. He is the back up and is basically essential.

A electric guitar is very good, but when it is lower it is still very good. The bass also controls the drums which controls the rest.

I'm all for drums, but Bass is better than guitar.
1: Drums
2: Bass
3: Vocals
4: Lead Guitar
5: Rhythm Guitar
6: Key Board & Piano
7: Saxophone
8: Synthesizer
9: Melotran
10: Violin

4 Piano/Keyboard The piano is a musical instrument played using a keyboard, which is a row of keys that the performer presses down or strikes with the fingers and thumbs of both hands.

This is by far the coolest instrument you come across in a band. Not only can an electric keyboard play the standard Piano sounds, but also many many other sounds including orchestral instruments, organs, powerful synth lead sounds, and even sound effects. Its versatility makes it extremely useful for bands because it adds so much sound, much more than any other instrument can. It is arguable that the piano is the easiest instrument to play FAST and upbeat music on because of its relatively simple sound mechanism. Keyboardist such as the great Jordan Rudess of the band Dream Theater frequently shows off virtuosic solos and licks that would give any guitarist a run for his money. The Piano sound itself is the instrument of choice for blues and boogie-woogie music. If you are considering forming a band, make sure you heavily consider having a keyboardist!

5 Acoustic Guitar An acoustic guitar is a guitar that produces sound acoustically - by transmitting the vibration of the strings to the air - as opposed to relying on electronic amplification.

I know its called country guitar but I'm use to saying it acoustic guitar its good for like calmer portions of the song if you have calmer portions.

For Rock Songs with an Acoustic Vibe in the quiet verses and the Electric Guitar in the chorus. Great contrast!

In '39 this gives it a much softer feel. Makes the song lighter.

6 The Vocals

Vocals reveal and give the meaning of the song. I don't think a song is boring without vocals, because there are really good rock/metal instrumentals.

All of the top 1000 best rock songs of all time use vocals.

They don't call the lead vocalist "The Frontman" for nothing. Essential!

7 Synthesizer
8 Double Bass

Oh yes, I love it. My fave part of the drum set.

9 Snare Drum
10 Cowbell

In My Chemical Romance's "Teenagers" the cowbell is my favorite part. It adds the angst and rhythm... Definitely a necessity.

Every solid rock band has a cowbell. Any bands without a cowbellist are a complete waste of your time.

(From SNL with Will Ferrel) Guys guys, I still need more cowbell. Will:*Playing it in guitarists ears. * laugh out loud

The Contenders
11 Saxophone The saxophone is a family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet.

The best instrument in rock as it gets the feeling of a massive amount of power with control in songs like Baker Street by Gerry rafferty and born to run by Bruce Springsteen. It can also play softly and emotionally like in songs like careless whisper by George Michael. Such an amazing instrument

I really wanna play the Tenor SAXOPHONE. It sounds so good. It is good for mostly jazz, but sometimes rock. I play percussion, but I want to play the sax since it sounds good and it is a woodwinds instrument even though it is made of brass. How cool!

12 Microphone

I think that personally a rock band is ten times cooler when you have some rocking lyrics with a rocking tune! To me a rock band is great when it is by itself don't get me wrong x But a voice behind it all just makes it that much more unique x

It's not the most needed, but it's gotta be in the top 5. The human voice can make a great song by itself.

Why is this so far back? A band without a singer is pointless. It should be first.

13 Violin The violin is a wooden string instrument in the violin family. It is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in the family in regular use.

Ever heard of Jinxx? He plays violin away from black veil brides but I believe that he has played it in a few of their songs.

Ever heard of The Electric Light Orchestra? They used violin and cello in their music.

The very best bands have at least one violin.

14 Electric Violin

I personally love playing rock on the violin it makes some of the best sounds in rock and is brilliant at bringing some stranger instruments and sounds into the music.

Actually there is many uses of violin in rock and even metal music, especially in folk-rock. Because it sounds better than synthesizer!

Makes smoother sounds
Great for rock solos!

15 Harmonica The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed brass instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues.

Harmonicas are music to my ears it is so amazing.

Pretty essential... In most bands

16 Triangle

Of course every band needs a triangle. It's awesome.

17 Cello The cello or violoncello is a bowed or plucked string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths.

A lot of aspiring rock bands are beginning to use the cello as a bass line. Who wouldn't? I, personally, play it and love playing the rock music.

18 Keytar

A keytar is easier to carry around than a piano or keyboard. It's my favorite instrument!

A keyboard and a guitar combined in one!
Makes a very unique guitar and keyboard sound!

The keytar is a legend, don't question, it just is. Ohh Yehhh
-A random Keytar Lover, I play keytar in mah rock band >

19 Guitar
20 Bass Drum
21 Clarinet

For good or mysterious sounds!

The clarinet is great all of you that are saying it's bad are idiots

22 Piano The piano is a musical instrument played using a keyboard, which is a row of keys that the performer presses down or strikes with the fingers and thumbs of both hands.

This is an amazing instrument but in a rock band you should use a keyboard instead.

Linkin Park and Evanescence is the best.

The soft music that is just right in some songs like if it is a fun song or a slow song

23 Tambourine

Yeah, like in 'Hey Mr Tambourine Man' by the Byrds...

I don't think that tambourine should be first, but it should b higher than it is. Just take a look at The Who song Teenage Wasteland, Tambourine is a big part. :)
It should at least be higher than a cowbell, or recorder. I mean, really people?!

Tambourines should be in all bands of all type of music genres and it's a good instrument

24 Accordion Accordions are a family of box-shaped musical instruments of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone type, colloquially referred to as a squeezebox.
25 Talk Box
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