Fluff time: what instrument adds that special sound or blend to music that makes you want to stop and listen?
(Don’t worry over it, the pain will soon come to an end)
When you hear some bars to music that is on the radio, or that someone else is playing, what instrument makes the tune stand out? Out of the piano, the sax, flute, bagpipes, string instrument like base or violin etc. or the harp, which will cause you to cock and ear for a better listen if they were part of the song?
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15 Answers
There are a few supporting instruments that have elevated bands to a whole new level. The Sax in Bruce Springsteen, Violin in Kansas and Flute in Jethro Tull are a few examples.
There are so many things you can do with an organ!
The cello. One example that comes to mind is Saint-Saens’ “The Swan”.
Alto sax. I can hear it now in my head “Into the mystic”
Trumpet. It’s bold, mellow or even funky. Every band should have a trumpet section for sure!
I listen to a broad range of music and a lot intrigues me. It isn’t one instrument or another, it’s the tune and the musician.
There are songs with bagpipes that will perk me up, flutes in Country songs(Marshall Tucker Band) violins and stand up bass in rock and roll. I’ll even listen to an accordion if it is played well.
It’s not the instrument, it is how it is played.
It’s different for different songs.
For instance, the Mariachi trumpets on Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash. The song just doesn’t sound the same without that bold high trumpet intro.
Likewise, there have been numerous covers of “When I’m Sixty Four” by McCartney and the Beatles but it just doesn’t sound right without those two woodwinds accented by Tubular Bells.
And the one I hear so often by lots of people is “Teach Your Children” originally by CSNY. Nothing beats their original (even other versions by themselves in concert) off the Deja Vu Album which has Jerry Garcia on Pedal Steel Guitar. It just makes everything pop.
I’ll try to find some clips.
https://youtu.be/ptIvLZ8QerI
https://youtu.be/QimgEmzlbbA
I love the mellow sound of an acoustic piano in rock songs. I also like orchestral hits when used sparingly.
Bagpipes are my favourite instrument followed by the violin. I will always stop and listen if I hear those two instruments.
Depends on the piece. There’s almost no way to answer this generally.
I will say that I can almost never make out the bass guitar in anything I listen to. In heavy metal music I tend to focus on the drums.
But just walking down the street? If I hear music at all (other than, say, freestyle rapping) I’ll stop and listen.
I once bought a CD from a guy playing percussion on a series of five gallon paint buckets.
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